If you’ve been watching Christian television for the past few years, you’ll know what I mean when I say, that sometimes television evangelists go too far. How to buy healing, salvation, and blessings from God has become a seed-sowing revolution. Or should I say revelation, since they seem to think they have some kind of new idea. The problem is the Bible does not support their ‘gain is godliness’ theory. Contrary to what many are preaching this is what the Bible says.

The above scriptures instruct us to withdraw from those that teach gain is godliness. Here it is made clear that we are to be content with food and raiment. But this is not the message that is being preached today. In fact, while one well-known TV evangelist was preaching he stated, "If I told you how much money I have you wouldn’t believe me." Yet, no matter how rich these ministers become, people just keep on giving to them.

The Bible says to give to the poor not give to the rich and famous. As a matter of fact, Jesus told a rich young man in Matthew 19 to go and sell what he had and give it to the poor. Strange we don’t ever hear this preached anymore. Unless you are a Bible reader, you might not even know this Scripture is there.

Many televangelists talk about the abundant life. They refer to John 10:10 where Jesus said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. But, the abundant life Jesus was talking about wasn’t so much about prospering in this life as in the one to come. He said to lay not up for ourselves treasures upon earth but lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-20)

Jesus didn’t mean for us to try and buy the abundant life on earth, even though many are preaching it can be bought. If you sow money into their ministry you’ll reap abundance, they say. If you give to them you will become debt free. I have heard them say that many have become rich by giving to them. We know God blesses those who give. But, we aren’t supposed to give to get we are supposed to give to help. If we keep this godly principle at heart we will be blessed.

Many television evangelists strongly emphasize that if you don’t drive an expensive car and live in a fancy house like them, you’re not living the abundant life. "You’re not serving the same God I serve", they boldly state. I guess the disciples didn’t serve the same God they serve either. They didn’t have an abundance of things but those guys could heal the sick and raise the dead at the drop of a hat. I don’t see anyone else doing that.

Let’s face it, television ministries need money to pay their bills. As long as their money is gotten honestly and with integrity, there is nothing wrong with them having it. But, I must say I feel most of the ministers on television today haven’t gotten their money honestly. I feel they use too many gimmicks to heap riches for themselves. Gimmicks such as trying to sell healing. They tell us if we want to be healed to plant or sow a seed into their ministry. We don’t have to send anyone money to be healed. All we have to do is call for the elders of the church. Let’s read what James 5:14-15 says about healing.

Notice the above verse didn’t say to send money to a TV ministry so you can be healed. It didn’t say that the prayer of faith, along with a donation, would save the sick. No, it didn’t say any of this.

I hate to even bring this up because it breaks my heart. But I knew a man who died although many people sowed seeds (gave money) for his healing. Now, I can’t say for sure why God didn’t heal this man, he was a man of God, but I do want to make this point, money apparently didn’t help in this situation. But let’s not judge too harshly here. None of us really know what we would do if we were in that same situation. This one thing we can be sure of, that no matter who tries to buy it, healing can not be bought. Jesus Christ has already bought and paid for it with His own Blood. We can all be healed through faith in Him.

I was watching TV one day when a commercial came on. It was a woman and her daughter, they said, "If you partner with us (send monthly gifts to our ministry) the same anointing we have on us will come on you." Isn’t this close to what Simon said in Acts: 8:18-21 when Peter told him his money would perish with him?

The man in the above scripture goes on to make things right. But, sad to say, in these days and times many have not made things right. We are living in dangerous times and although a minister is called of God doesn’t mean he or she won’t wander off into error.

There’s a lady who just came on the scene a few years ago. I think she has an extraordinary call on her life but one night she missed God. On a telethon she was handing out prayer cloths and she said, "Don’t come up here and get a prayer cloth if you haven’t gave anything." She was soliciting funds for a television network. There is nothing wrong with having a telethon but to give out prayer cloths for a donation is against Bible principles. What if someone was there who didn’t have any money to give? What if Jesus was there, would He approve of this? The answer to this question is a big resounding NO!

I don’t understand why ministers, that are supposed to be called of God, keep on saying things that should never be said. Now, you might say that these ministers aren’t called of God. Well, I won’t go as far as to say that because I remember a few times when I wasn’t exactly right on the money (no pun intended) myself. What I am saying is that it is a sad day when you can’t even receive a prayer cloth without paying for it.

In closing, let me point out again that I am not against television ministries. They are needed. What I am against is the message many of them are preaching and portraying to be the true gossip of Christ. Lets bind together and pray for those who have wandered off into error. Lets bind together and believe that God’s Anointed ones will return and preach the message God intended for them to preach.

I believe I’ll just stop here and let you decide if your favorite television evangelist is one of the seed-sowing revolutionist we’ve been talking about.

Copyright 2004 by Darlene Osborne

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