A Different Gospel - Part 11: Open Portal To Heaven?

I found an older video of Todd Bentley describing an “experience” where God shows him an “open portal to heaven”:

Whew. Where do I begin?

• A pillar of fire that is actually an open portal?
• Crashing on an “operating table in heaven”?
• Graphic invasive surgery performed by “angels”?
• “Stuffed” with little white boxes?
• God sets an appointment with him for “an hour of power”?
• “Skiing on the mountain of the Lord”?

I think it’s obvious that Todd Bentley is one strange dude. He begins the video by mentioning the angel with feet like pillars of fire, found in Revelation 10, and later goes on to say how that angel visited him and others in a hotel room.

In the 11th chapter of the 2nd Book of Corinthians, the Apostle Paul found himself defending his apostleship against men who tried to fool the saints by appearing as spirit-filled and knowledgeable about the Lord Jesus Christ as he and his colleagues were. He made an interesting statement while undercutting his impostors (my emphasis in bold):

12But what I am doing I will continue to do, ^(A)so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.

 13For such men are ^(B)false apostles, ^(C)deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

 14No wonder, for even ^(D)Satan disguises himself as an ^(E)angel of light.

 15Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, ^(F)whose end will be according to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

We are living in a generation where many Christians don’t read and study the Word of God for themselves, so they are taken in and swayed by things that appear to be of God.

It’s “boring” to sit and hear an exposition on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but boy it sure is more fun to laugh uncontrollably, bark like dogs, and participate in all manner of questionable behavior while being “drunk in the spirit” or “under the unction of the Holy Spirit”.

Please know that Satan can disguise himself to appear “holy”, thus deceiving many believers by making them think they’re worshipping God.

I am of the opinion that Todd Bentley uses emotionalism to “preach” a counterfeit gospel that is not of God. I won’t entertain any comments from Todd Bentley’s defenders, and I’m not going to get into a debate about all of the great work he’s done, the people he’s “healed” (as told on many other blogs) and how “God uses him mightily.

I only post this article to warn the sheep to be careful about who you listen to - and to  use the irrefutable Word of God as the measurement that judges the words of anyone who professes to speak on behalf of the Lord. 

I ask mature saints to pray that the saints of the Lord Jesus Christ would read and study the Word of God so that they don’t fall away from the faith, and be fooled and taken in by those who appear to be servants of God.

 

***Hat tip to our brother Job for pointing to this video

A Different Gospel - Part 10: Drunk In The Spirit?

I don’t know what to make of the video you’re about to see - and I ask that you view it in it’s entirety before you post a comment.

Cast your eyes on Todd Bentley, an interesting fellow to say the least. Christian blogs all over the world are abuzz at Todd’s “healing services” (most recently in Lakeland, FL), and the odd nature of his ministry - as you’ll see once you view the video below.

Todd claims to have a “prophetic and healing anointing”, and (true to form), he wants you to partner with him to take his “ministry” all over the world.

“What ministry”, you ask? Well take a look at this (again, please view the entire video before commenting):

There is so much wrong with this guy that I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll point out a problem with Todd and his “angel visions”:

 18Let no one keep ^(AU)defrauding you of your prize by ^(AV)delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, ^(AW)inflated without cause by his ^(AX)fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:18).

How about Todd’s “drunken glory” theory? Well, there is no evidence in Scripture of being “drunk in the Spirit”, although mockers incorrectly attributed drunkenness to the display that they saw on Pentecost (Acts 2). Even then, Peter spoke clearly about repentance and belief upon the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal salvation - he wasn’t stumbling around making weird noises and swaying back and forth under the “unction of the Holy Spirit”.

If Todd were really a prophet, then he would know 1 Corinthians 14:31-33 and 1 Corinthians 14:40. Is being “drunk in the spirit” and laughing uncontrollably honoring the Holy Spirit or making a mockery of Him?

In Colossians 2, Paul was exhorting the church at Laodecia to cling to their faith in the Lord Jesus, particularly because although he exposed them to the Gospel, he wasn’t there to insure that they remain in the faith. In verse 8, Paul says:

8^(T)See to it that no one takes you captive through ^(U)philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the ^(V)elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.  - Colossians 2:8

Paul knew that the Word of God would be challenged by the cheap parlor tricks and persuasive speech of false teachers, and we are seeing that all across the globe today.

I ask that you read the entire 2nd chapter of Colossians for context - and to see how off base this guy is (to say the least).

I also ask that you join me in continuing to pray that saints would study the Word of God for themselves so that they not fall prey to false teachers, twisted doctrine and empty religious show that does not glorify God. 

Pulpit Pimping Gone Bad - Part 9: Does Your Pimp Need Protection?

…he might if he’s fleecing the sheep!

Check out this video by Pastor John Coleman - and view it in it’s entirety before commenting (it’s less than 2 min.)…if you need to comment at all:

Keep in mind - most of these “armor bearers” and “body guards” are tasked with protecting the pastor, his wife, and his kids (if applicable) - not YOU. PERIOD!

I don’t care how many times your pimp pastor says “we need security to protect the congregation”- it’s all rather suspect when ALL of the security guards spend their time following him around (while speaking into their sleeves), or carrying his Louis Vitton briefcase and alligator shoes from the Bentley when he rolls up onto the lot.

Pastor Coleman said it rightly - people are carrying the bible of the “shepherd” while a single mother is struggling to get her three kids off the bus in front of the church - with no help.

May God have mercy on those who claim to speak for Him!

***hat tip to our brother Independent Conservative for the video link***

Pulpit Pimping Gone Bad - Part 8: Pimp (Revenue) Down!

I’m writing this post in response to the many calls and emails I’m getting from current members and leaders at a church here in suburban Atlanta. At the request of many, I’ll further explore the consequences of what happens when the Word of God is dwarfed by the pursuit of earthly riches and influence.

The church in question is relatively young (they’ve only been around for less than 7 years), yet they’ve racked up quite a few accomplishments:

• The church boasts a membership of over 12,000 members 
• The pastor drives a Bentley and recently moved into an (almost) million dollar home
• The pastor has a phalanx of security personnel that watch his every move - from greeting him at the front door to clearing his path as he walks
• The church recently moved into a new double-digit multi-million dollar “worship facility and campus”
• The church streams their worship services live across the globe via Streaming Faith

With all of that happening, you would think that the church was on cloud nine, right?

Well, not so fast. Since the pastor of this church is a “spiritual son” of Eddie Long, you have to expect “the other shoe” to drop at some point, and that point is…now.

Problem #1 - He’s demanding submission to his authority:

While the pastor started out teaching from a sound biblical and doctrinal perspective in the early days, he got off track several years ago, and it’s beginning to alienate his followers. He’s demanding loyalty by submission to his “apostolic and prophetic anointing” while he insulates himself with layers of people instead of being accessible to the sheep. Even the first line of the church’s “Givers Confession” asks God to grant blessings to the sheep while they “support the vision and the visionary”.

Problem #2 - He’s ignoring the economic ailments of his congregation:

The pastor is a proponent and teacher of the false doctrine of tithing, love offering, first fruit, and any other money-making scheme at work in churches today. He’s keenly aware of the disappearing middle class within his church, yet that doesn’t stop him from demanding the sheep to “sow into God’s system despite what they see”.

Membership is down…way down (you can see row upon row of empty seats via the Streaming Faith feed on any given Sunday or Wednesday), which means giving is down also. All this doesn’t bode well for a congregation with a brand new double-digit multi-million dollar building. Did anyone stop to think that expenses would quadruple since this facility is 4+ times larger than the old facility?

Recently, the pastor acknowledged the decrease in revenue and asked (from the pulpit) that everyone bring an offering to the alter. On the surface you might assume that this is a “spiritual admonition” to demonstrate faith in God by bringing your “seed” to the alter yourself.

The reality is that this is yet another intimidation tactict that guilts the giver into coming to the alter because they don’t want to appear to be “disobedient” while everyone else around then brings their dough to the stage - while the pastor is looking at them sitting in their seat!

Even still, some of the braver sheep sat stoically in defiance, which prompted the pastor to intone:

“Some of you are being disobedient to God by either not giving or not giving enough. At the sound of my voice, obey the Holy Spirit and bring your seed to the alter. Move…Move…Move…Come On…Come On…Come On…That’s it…That’s it….Move…”

Problem #3- He’s emulating his “spiritual father” by disallowing local viewers to watch live services via Streaming Faith:

Last year, Eddie Long started to see a dip in his church’s revenues and (rightly) assumed that too many local people were watching his services via the Internet as opposed to visiting the church - and bringing an offering. So, he decided to cut live feeds to his services via Streaming Faith so that locals would have to visit to hear him live. He later reneged due to fallout from local viewers, but the point had been made - they’re more likely to get a “seed” from you if you’re in the building when the “anointing hits”.

Fast forward to yesterday (May 11, 2008). Local viewers logged in to Streaming Faith to see this pastor (Eddie’s “spiritual son”) twist scripture. Instead, viewers saw a video of the pastor describing how the Holy Spirit revealed to him that it was time to cut the church’s local video feed - oh, and the Holy Spirit wanted viewers from surrounding counties to come to the new double-digit multi-million dollar facility so that they could see God move in person!

Yup, sounds like the money woes are true.

The Apostle Peter masterfully described the role of an elder (pastor) in the local assembly - does the leadership at this church even remotely resemble it?:

1^(A)Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your ^(B)fellow elder and ^(C)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a ^(D)partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

 2shepherd ^(E)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ^(F)not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(G)not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

 3nor yet as ^(H)lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be ^(I)examples to the flock.

 4And when the Chief ^(J)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(K)unfading ^(L)crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post - I get calls and emails every week from current members of this church, independently corroborating one bad thing after another.

I’ll tell you the same thing that I tell them: unless you’re speaking out against these practices while in the assembly, or you’re attempting to meet with the pastor (as the Lord leads) to discuss how off course he is, then you should pray for courage to leave the presence of this ignorance.

Pray for this pastor and this congregation - that God through the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance the worthiness of his call (Colossians 1:9-12), and that he would tend to the sheep in his care.

Pray also that the sheep would hear the voice of God (John 10:27-28), and heed accordingly - even if it means to labor on this plantation even longer in order to warn others.

Hear The Gospel, Get A Gas Card…And An SUV?

I wrote about an example of the “seeker sensitive” movement a few months ago, and it appears as though it’s rearing it’s head again here in the Metro-Atlanta area. An article in this weekend’s Atlanta Journal-Constituition jumped out at me - “Gas to save your soul? Church has offer for you”.

Let me be clear - I don’t know anything about this church, their doctrine, or their pastor - so I’m not condemning them or their desire to attract more people to hear the Gospel message.

I am concerned, however when churches use “gimmicks” to make the message of the cross more palatable. The Apostles never offered gimmicks to make disciples of men, they simply preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the message itself stirred the faith of those who would believe (Acts 14:21-22).

Romans 9:33 reaffirms that Jesus Christ is a Rock of offense - meaning that many will be offended by His message, and reject it.

Should we assume that He is less offending if you dangle a chance to win a gas card or an 8 year old SUV (which will guzzle MORE gas…) in front of Him?

Sure, some may come for the raffle, but will they come again to learn of or return to the True and Living God?

Will their perception of the message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ be cheapened by thoughts of disappointment that the gas cards weren’t higher in value? Alright, I don’t want to seem cynical, but could there be a different motivation for “gas & SUV card Sunday”? Well, the article says: 

The church has about 9,000 members on it’s rolls, but only 2,500 regularly attend Sunday morning services, the pastor said. Obviously, that something he hopes to change.

Hmmm.

Foundational Truth - Part 2: Salvation Through Jesus Christ ALONE

This video has made it’s rounds through cyberspace for the better part of a year, but it’s still highly relevant - especially as we’re watching the ascension of the next President of the United States:

We all know that politicians will say (almost) anything in order to get elected. The higher the office they seek, the more adept they are at appearing as a colleague of the electorate (”I am just an average guy looking out for the average guy”).

When GWB was running for president 8 years ago, he proclaimed his allegiance to Jesus Christ. After he was elected, many Christians - including prominent black clergy - embraced GWB as one of our own.

Well, if Luke 6:45 is to be believed (and we know that it is), then old GWB is revealing more and more of what’s in his heart.

God’s Word is replete with scriptural truth declaring that His Son is the only means by which man can attain salvation & relationship with Him (Acts 4:12, Matthew 1:21, Acts 10:43, 1 Timothy 2:5, Luke 24:47, and on and on). Period.

While the “multiple method to salvation” theory is a politically correct, warm and fuzzy way to make people feel safe, it is a lie.

Many folks believe that any of the three remaining presidential candidates will “save us”, but I just can’t get this scripture out of my head:

Warning concerning a King

 10So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to ^(K)the people who had asked of him a king.

 11He said, “^(L)This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: ^(M)he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and ^(N)they will run before his chariots.

 12“^(O)He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

 13“He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers.

 14“^(P)He will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his servants.

 15“He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give to his officers and to his servants.

 16“He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work.

 17“He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants.

 18“Then ^(Q)you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but ^(R)the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

 19Nevertheless, the people ^(S)refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us,

 20^(T)that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

 21Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, ^(U)he repeated them in the LORD’S hearing.

 22The LORD said to Samuel, “^(V)Listen to their voice and appoint them a king.” So Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”

While we’re all squaring off in our corners and preparing to fight for “our king” - the candidate that we believe will best benefit this nation - this is yet another reminder to pray that God’s Will be done regarding those whom He allows to lead.

Just don’t be taken in by their persuasive words when they declare “I’m just like you…I believe what you believe”, only to find out the truth much later…

Church Mafia - Part 3: So, Uh…Where You Been?

As I’ve stated in previous articles, the concept of “church mafia” is very real - and very destructive to the Body of Christ. 

While it’s born out of the insecurity and ego-driven psyche of pastors who want to be pimps and mafia bosses, it debilitates the believer because it takes the focus off of our Sovereign God and places it on the mafia boss pastor and his (or her) lackeys.

One of the common tactics of the church mafia is to intimidate/guilt you into attending EVERY service that is held at the church…and I do mean EVERY service.

No matter if it’s Sunday worship, Bible Study, Sunday School, the Back 2 School Rally, Daily Prayer, and any number of other scheduled events - your commitment to God is gauged by your commitment to “His prophet” (as the pimp/mafia bosses pastors so lovingly ordain themselves).

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that believers should assemble together to worship God. The Bible reminds us to worship (Ephesians 5:19-20) and encourage each other in the faith (1 Thesselonians 5:11), but Hebrews 10:24-25 specifically addresses the assembling of the saints.

I don’t believe, however, that you should be called onto the carpet - or threatend with expulsion if the “boss” doesn’t see your “face in the place” everytime the lights are switched on. Most folks stay away because they’re tired of playing the money game - or they’re tired of trying to figure out what the pimp/mafia boss pastor is saying between his howls, grunts and downright off-base teaching.

Then, when you finally work up the nerve to come back, you’re usally pulled aside by someone in leadership who asks you “Hey brother, it’s good to see you! I haven’t seen you in a long time…so, uh…where you been?“

Here’s an excerpt from an interesting article that I found on Gotquestions.org:

 Question: “What are appropriate reasons for missing church?”

Answer: Many people have an improper and/or unbiblical understanding of church attendance. Some people feel that they must attend church legalistically, being at church virtually every time there is any kind of service or meeting. Some people experience a feeling of guilt whenever they miss a Sunday morning service. Sadly, some churches encourage this guilt by laying excessive pressure on people to attend regularly. When thinking about church attendance and when it is appropriate to miss church, the most crucial thing to understand is that the quality of a person’s relationship with God is not determined by how many church services are attended, nor are God’s love and acceptance for a Christian based on how many times he/she attends church. (click here to read the rest)

Check out this observation:

Attending church is not osmosis; merely being in the building does not accomplish anything.

That’s funny - the Word of Faith preachers always stress that you’ll be blessed because you’re sitting in the building while the pimp/mafia boss pastor is under “the anointing”. Oh, and because you “sow a seed”, but that’s another post for another day…

Anyway, the article surmised (correctly, in my opinion) that if you miss or skip a church service but you have a longing for it, then there isn’t a problem (per se) with your connection with God.

If you miss a service and you’re afraid of the impending confrontation by the pimp/mafia boss pastors “crew”, then…well…you already know the answer to that one.

Judge Not?

Our UK brother Alan Higgins has been really exploring some foundational topics over at his blog. Alan posted the video below regarding the “judge not” phenomenon, and I thought it would be appropriate to post it here as well:

 

In the video, John McArthur succinctly exegetes the foundation of Matthew 7, especially in light of how “judge not lest you be judged” gets hurled around (almost like an expletive) in response to the light of truth shining on any darkness. 

As I’ve stated on many occasions, I blog in defense of the faith. I have no personal agenda - except to proclaim and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ…even if when the Gospel is hijacked by perpetrators within the church.

 Look at the scriptural reference in context:

1“^(A)Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

 2“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and ^(B)by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

 3“Why do you ^(C)look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

 4“^(D)Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?

 5“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Too me, the text clearly forbids hypocrisy. It is hypocritical for someone to condemn adultery if they’re tipping out on their spouse at the same time. Likewise, it’s hypocritical to claim the name of the Lord, yet live and teach the complete contrary.

2 Timothy 3:16 affirms the authority of God’s Word - and it’s proper use.

As long as the Word of God is used to refute false teachers and their false doctrine, then the only judgement going on is from God to His enemies.

Pulpit Pimping Gone Bad - Part 8: You Too, Jeremiah?

Hat tip to regular reader djenk23 for the heads-up on this story

——————————————————————-

Jeremiah Wright has the distinct honor of being featured in two categories on this blog: “A Different Gospel” and “Pulpit Pimping Gone Bad”. 

Take a look at yesterday’s edition of the New York Post:

BARACK’S REV. ‘STOLE A WIFE’

EX-HUBBY: HE COUNSELED US, THEN WED HER

By SUSANNAH CAHALAN and VERONICA HINKE in Chicago and BRAD HAMILTON in New York

May 4, 2008 — The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’sloose cannon of a spiritual adviser, stole the wife of a parishioner - after the man sought Wright’s help in saving his troubled marriage, the former husband told friends.

Delmer Reed, 59, confided to pals that he believed the minister moved in on his wife while Wright was counseling the couple at his Chicago church in the early 1980s, The Post has learned.

“That’s exactly how he said it,” Reed’s divorce lawyer, Roosevelt Thomas, told The Post.

“It looks like Delmer might have been right,” he said, because after Delmer and Ramah Reed were divorced, she got remarried - to Wright. “Either that or this was the biggest coincidence in the world.” (click here to read the article)

Here’s an interesting note from the article:

A spokesman for the Wright family flatly denied the allegation yesterday.

“This story has no merit whatsoever and is not based on facts,” said George Lofton. “They had problems throughout the course of their turbulent marriage, and the couple never received marriage counseling from Rev. Wright or anyone else.”

But Reed, a former investigator for the Illinois secretary of state, told The Post he and his ex-wife went to Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ for counseling when their marriage hit the skids over his demanding work schedule.

“I spoke with [Wright] four times over a few months,” Reed said in an interview at his upscale home in Lemont, Ill.

So, Wright (through a representative) denies providing marital counseling to the couple at all, but the ex-husband says they spoke at least four times…I’m sure the truth may be somewhere in the middle.

I can hear you asking “Why are you even bringing this up? You said that this blog will not advance gossip”.

Well, it’s not gossip if the ex-husband asserts that Wright was a factor in his divorce (as potentially evidenced by Wright’s subsequent marriage to Reed’s former wife).

I’m bringing this up as further evidence of the fruit of a false teacher - if Wright twists doctrine to support a different gospel, why would he honor the sanctity of marriage…especially a marriage that is hanging in the balance?

As thorny as the issue of divorce is within the church (this is Wright’s 2nd marriage), Paul clearly speaks to the qualifications for pastoral leadership throughout his epistles, but this passage of scripture addresses multiple points (my emphasis in bold):

5For this reason I left you in ^(T)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and ^(U)appoint ^(V)elders in every city as I directed you,

 6namely, ^(W)if any man is above reproach, the ^(X)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of ^(Y)dissipation or ^(Z)rebellion.

 7For the ^(AA)overseer must be above reproach as ^(AB)God’s steward, not ^(AC)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(AD)addicted to wine, not pugnacious, ^(AE)not fond of sordid gain,

 8but ^(AF)hospitable, ^(AG)loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

 9^(AH)holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in ^(AI)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:5-9)

Wright has shown that he’s quite self-willed, quick-tempered and pugnacious, as evidenced by his behavior recently (and in his past sermons). Also, since Black Liberation Theology is not “sound doctrine”, how can he legitimately refute those who contradict it?

I’ll say again, it is my opinion that Jeremiah Wright is a false teacher because he embraces the wicked Black Liberation Theology and holds it on par with the message of Christ crucified for the remission of sin.

While I could care less (in general) about who he’s married to, the circumstances behind the genesis of this marriage can not be separated from his flawed theological allegiance, his public denouncement of “middleclassness” while he privately embraces it, and his attempt to glorify himself instead of the Savior he claims whenever he gets the chance.

Sometimes false teaching and hypocrisy go hand in hand…

The Disappearing Middle Class…In The Church

There is a disappearing middle class - within the church - that (in my opinion) is rivaling the effects of the economic conditions that are plaguing America today. Many people are losing their homes, finding it harder and harder to make ends meet, and “robbing Peter to pay Paul”, but that doesn’t stop the pimps from pursuing the money that you have left.

One of the many casualties of the Word of Faith, prosperity, “name it and claim it” heresy is that it creates an almost unquenchable desire within the Body for money and material things - and it leaves those who desire “stuff” in a much worse position than they were before they ever heard the heresy.

In direct violation of 1 Timothy 6:7-11, false teachers whip you into a frenzy by:

• falsely equating prosperity with financial gain
• twisting scripture to justify tithing, love offerings, and all other manner of extortion
• and making you think that something is wrong with you because God isn’t blessing you with a “30, 60, 100 fold blessing” in return for giving them your last dime.

In many previous posts, I explained that I was a loyal soldier to my former pimps. I bought the “money cometh” scam hook, line, and sinker. In fact, I parroted their weak responses when confronted about why God “didn’t open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing” even though someone gave their last dime.

“You don’t have enough faith”, or “don’t worry, your breakthrough is on the way!” I used to say.

I’ve long since repented before the Lord for such stupidity, but the scam keeps going on and on.

Personally, I reject the concept of tithing - because it has become nothing more than a revenue making scheme that pimps use to guilt and extort money from the sheep today. You don’t want to be “cursed with a curse”, so you give under compulsion - or even worse, duress - in direct opposition to 2 Corinthians 9:7.

The tithing concept has been so twisted and maligned by false teachers, that many people will use credit cards to “pay” their tithes, so much so that tithing has replaced the concept of benevolence.

The average person would rather give their last dime to the Bentley driving pulpit pimp than the neighbor next door who has no money for diapers. The sick logic is that “the next door neighbor can’t ‘curse me with a curse’ so I’d rather give God His”.

Apparently, we don’t much focus on what Jesus said in Matthew 25:35-46. We’d rather do the most convenient thing by giving money to the pastor in hopes that he would distribute it to the poor, just like he says he will. It’s only a “coincidence” that the more we “give to the poor” through the pastor, the better his lifestyle gets.

Some churches will even dis-fellowship you for“robbing God”!

There is lots of evidence in the bible to prove that tithing was a law giving to Jews and Levitical priests. It’s interesting to me that folks use Malachi 3:8-12 to scare you into giving them your tithe, but if you read the entire book of Malachi, you’ll clearly see that God is expressing His displeasure with the priests who are charged with interceding to Him on behalf of the people.

By the way, these priests lived in the Temple, and were supported by the Israelites. Does your pimp live in your church?

To this day, I hear horror stories from people who tithe their utility money, yet the church won’t extend benevolence in order to help them pay the utility bill - after the pimp has admonished the sheep to give their utility money and God would bless them anyway!

I embrace the concept of grace giving - giving as the Lord leads to areas He directs…even if it means giving to people or causes that are in more need than a pastor or church as opposed to the extortion techniques that are used in churches across America today.

Even The Barna Group - one of the most widely referenced research firms in Christiandom has released a report stating that not only is tithing down in churches across the country, but:

Strangely, tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle espoused in the New Testament. The idea of a tithe - which literally means one-tenth or the tenth part - originated as the tax that Israelites paid from the produce of the land to support the priestly tribe (the Levites), to fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. The ministry of Jesus Christ, however, brought an end to adherence to many of the ceremonial codes that were fundamental to the Jewish faith. Tithing was such a casualty. Since the first-century, Christians have believed in generous giving, but have not been under any obligation to contribute a specific percentage of their income.

Who knew that George Barna was so “controversial”? I wonder if the pimps will still use his research to aid in growing their “ministries”?

The end result is that many churches are filled with two kinds of people: the “haves” and the “have nots”…the “sort of haves” are either leaving or have already fled the pimp because they’re sick of hearing the “offeratory appeal”.

I’ve seen it up close:

• pastor so-and-so spends 10 minutes after every sermon telling you how God wants you to be rich (after he has you recite a scripture - out of context - exclaiming that you are a tither and that God HAS TO rebuke the devourer for your sake).
• He points to his own lifestyle and how he “activated his faith” in order to walk in God’s abundance.
• He also talks about how “the anointing flows from the head down”, so if you give him your money, you’ll be blessed too!
• He then says that tithing is “just an entry level action - you can’t get a return unless you sow first fruit, love offering, offering, building fund, first lady’s birthday” blah blah blah.

“Don’t hate on your neighbor! If God is blessing them, at least you know he’s in the neighborhood!” (que the jumpy organ music and the running around the church while babbling in “tongues” at that “revelation”)

At that point, the “haves” pour their earnings into the coffers and anxiously await their “return”. The “have nots” are told “God knows your heart, and He knows that you will give when you get it because you have a heart to give”.

Sometimes, the “haves” even pass a few bucks the “have nots” - or the pimp peels a few bucks out of his money clip to give a “have not”- and as a sign of obedience to the pimp prophet, the “have not” drops the money into the coffers and gives it RIGHT BACK TO THE PIMP…waiting on their return as well.  

The pimp may even read an email that he received from a “have” detailing how “God was faithful to the seed that they sowed last week, and He returned their tithe PLUS INTEREST!”, further stoking the allegiance of the “haves” - and the envy and determination of the “have nots”.

Meanwhile, the middle class is looking around wondering what is going on. They give out of obedience to the pimp prophet because they earnestly want to please God (and the pimp prophet told them that this pleases God). They also, however see that they’re not getting the promised return.

They grow weary of hearing the same begging speech over and over again - and seeing the pimps parade of new cars, suits, and homes. They also grow weary of seeing the poorest among them exploited, and they’re tired of feeling guilty when they give $100 to a homeless person instead of standing in the “money line” at the church revival later that evening.

So, they leave - hoping to find a church home that teaches the true meaning of giving, and that God is not a slot-machine, and that his people are not to be neglected while we pursue earthly treasures that we can’t take with us when we die anyway.

Unfortunately, many pastors erroneously think that if they keep preaching to the “haves”, then the middle-class doesn’t matter because the “have nots” will eventually become “haves”.

They fail to realize that the church is not a business or a revenue stream.

As believers, we are to evangelize the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ without injecting our personal desires or interests. Period.

I find the words of Jude to be quite sufficient:

17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,^[a] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

 22 And you must show mercy to^[b] those whose faith is wavering. (Jude 1:17-22)

I pray that those of us who reject the “pay to play” doctrine pray earnestly for those who embrace it. Let’s pray God’s mercy on those who are led astray by this divisive doctrine, and let’s all recommit to caring for the needs of one another - not under compulsion or duress, but because it is the Will of our Father through His Son.