A story in 2004 in the LA Times broke that shows once more how these men and in this case women fall right und the condemnation of those false prophets and teachers coming along even in the time of the Apostle Peter, John ,Paul and the rest. Here is short excerpt from it.
In the LA Times article alone, it was disclosed that Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan Crouch, earn more than $750,000 in salaries and have a collection of luxuries at their disposal, including a TBN-owned jet and some 30 homes across the US. TBN's response:
"Regarding the various real properties mentioned, all are owned by TBN, not Dr. and Mrs. Crouch, and they are used for multiple purposes, including program settings, and temporary housing for network guests, contractors and agents. In addition, such properties represent alternative investment vehicles that provide appreciably better returns then bank CDs, savings accounts, and bond funds, etc. Similarly, TBN's corporate aircraft is only utilized in the course of business. It is not unusual for Dr. Crouch, and employees traveling with him, to visit several different cities and stations over the course of a trip. The plane allows flexibility and effective time management, and avoids the impact of Dr. Crouch's status as a public person."
Are 30 homes, private jets and large salaries a good use of ministry funds? It seems to me that this is a hard-sell to the many people who give to a ministry in good faith, thinking their money is going to further the gospel.
Now there is a need for much truth to be told on the way so many of these anti-Christ bring hatred toward the true light of the Gospel.
How often these so referred as "called minsters" have quoted a portion of Corinthians out of context- specifically the passages found in I Corithians 9:9 -
"We read in the Law of Moses, " Do not muzzle and ox when you are using it to thresh the grain" Now is God concernead about the oxen" He ask a rhetorical question, Didn't he really mean us when he sadi that? Of course that was written for us- referring to the Apostles and none others- he goes on to say some very important things the wise would be good to recall- He says and lets go further so we gain the whole context of what he about to say.
I quote from the New American Standard Bible -
Yea, for our sake it was written:because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. 11 If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more?
Now none of what he has said are posed as statements of law- like all these false teachers would have you believe- rather he poses questions, we already know from reading other passages how both Peter and Paul warned against these "messenger's of light" that were running about- first off quoting law- forgetting what Paul wrote in Galatians- READ GOD's WORD instead of letting it collect dust on your dashboard in your car or in your home's. Most folks only dust it off for a Sunday morning meeting.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse:for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident:for, The righteous shall live by faith; 12 and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
So that there pretty much sums up some so called law of Tithing from the Old Covenant
So we know already that Paul was not teaching a law of tithing but placing rhetorical questions before this body of Christ to show what the practice of the "true Apostles" was. Let's read further: Something you will never get these false teachers and prophets to do
-If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more?
Here was the point- there were others taking advantage of them demanding a right to which wasn't there's truly because now Paul shows the way that is right to do, if we could but get the body of Christ to read the Word, instead of letting men interpret it to them, then there would be less shame on the Word of God, and how these minister's of Satan peddle the Word, they are likened unto Simon the Magician who wanted the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon him to do the miraculous to profit from it.
Let's read Paul's correction as always he sets the example whereby those called to preach the good news- which is each and everyone of us, now. He shows the example of a true Apostle that has a heart not of greed and profit, but one of sharing the GOOD NEWS of Christ.
Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?
Again he takes this legal question and converts it to the Grace of God.
14 Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. 1
Once again the powers of the CATHOLIC CHURCH changed this to read as a statement when it is clear it is a rhetorical question that he will answer again in his next statement.
5 But I have used none of these things:and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorifying void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. 17 For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward:but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. 18
Note Paul makes very clear what His reward was from the Lord in his ministry- READ IT PREACHERS!
He answers now these rhetorical questions to once and for all to set the tone for his truth and how he always presents it with love for their correction.
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.He closes near this last statement that these false teachers were doing to show their motive.
And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
The question? Is the Gospel to be received by those that pay for it? Absolutely not!
Freely God gave and freely are we to give- and this doesn't mean tithing money to someone else who preaches, this means we are called to present the Gospel in such a way that no one can speak evil of us. By always presenting it without taking advantage of anyone in money or anything as far as that goes.
Let me show you Paul's efforts of accountability were when he was sending money (this gift) to the poor- NOTE: He wasn't sending this money to some "hot shot ministry" or "a pastor", or "a building fund" or "a program"- but to the poor Christians in Corinth-
Let's look how Paul avoided all aspects of false blame as well to come to them when they were going to have their gifts of love sent to Corinth what steps he took for accountabilty. You may read the Chapter ahead of this one and come to understand where and for what purpose this gift was to serve.
Note these passages - the money wasn't designed to go to a ministry, an organization or any one person- it was designed to go to the poor in Corinth and Paul being very accountable to God- he states the following:
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches; 19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: 21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you. 2
Note: he not only sends Titus, he sends another brother in Christ as well, so NO ONE could accuse any one person of misusing or stealing or taking what wasn't theirs for their own use. TWO MIND YOU BRETHREN ARE SENT TO GUARD THE GIFT HE JUST TALKED ABOUT IN THE VERSES PREVIOUS TO THIS.
THIS MONEY AGAIN WAS MEANT TO SUPPLY THOSE WITH LESS THAN THOSE THAT HAD A SURPLUS- so that the body of Christ would share and have all things in common.
I would also have that in every case that Paul wrote a letter- if the letter was meant to be addressed to the top dogs, of an organization called a Pastor- he never once addresses any of his letters as - Dear Pastor- go tell your congregation these things!
Whoops! There goes the destruction of all of the baloney that is thrown out there to keep people under manipulation and to stir them to give their money to them- they never bother to read all of scripture and obtain the truth! Whose fault is it that these false Apostles and Teachers take advantage of them. It is their own because they are they are just too lazy to study the Word of God for themselves and generally the only time they crack open their Bibles is to read along with these False teachers in a meeting whereby he will proceed to twist scripture to manipulate the masses listening to give Him money, the program, the building or other. Such a small proportion of money taken in is actually provided to the lost and to the poor! 98% of all the money taken in is spent on the organization itself and very little to maintain the equality of material needs within the body of Christ. How many "churches" have those within their own congregation, who may be materially suffering even now.
There are those that are in the so called ministry- that surely have much more than all those they pretend to minister too and then one must ask where is the equality that Paul talks about in the Chapter before this?
Not an equality in giving to ministers, he has nullified that idea right out front here, but giving to those who have less "that their lack will be made up by the others surplus?"
It doesn't exist today that I can see.
Lies are only believed because very few people seek the truth for themselves, so then they are easily persuaded by this ADVERSARY (SATAN) who comes even as an angel (messenger)of Light.
My prayer is that each one of you would take the time to read these verses and give it great thought and then trust God and men less, and study to shew thyself approved. Then surely the gifts of those who have much that they give from will put them at equal standing with those whose lack has been supplied by their surplus.
If Christians heeded the Word of God instead of listening to those false interpreters of it- welfare would probably become non- existent in this country who claims to be "a christian nation!"
It is important that every believer understand these passages written by John the Apostle of Christ -
I John 1: 24-
24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. 27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
May God Bless You as you seek His truth and allow the Holy Spirit within to guide you in all things that are true and to reject the teachings of these Anti-Christ liars.
Dr. J.
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Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, July 20, 2007
Remember The Poor
"I have been poor and I have been rich, but I have always found someone poorer than I"
Many years ago, when I was a young man in college, I went with our Baptist Student Union on a missionary trip to Matamoros, Mexico. We stayed in a large open area and slept on cots, took cold showers at a church in Brownsville, Texas. Each morning a bus load of us would drive to an area where we were constructing an orphanage for some children there. This became my first exposure to poor of the world outside my own.
We traveled into the poorest parts of Matamoros and it was then and there I realized how rich I was.
When I was a college student, my wife worked in the day as a maid, I worked at the same place in the evening doing laundry. There were many times in those days, that after paying our rent for an efficiency apartment we would barely have $5.00 - $10.00 left to eat on, but we had friends.
Those friends though not Christians were often our lifeline. They would feed us and buy us things now and then. They were great friends. The one thing that set them apart is they understood poverty. Most people have no clue unless they have been there. One has to experience poverty or Christ has to show them the need to have a desire to help. It takes compassion to help the poor, not judgement.
I remember well the impression it made in my mind when I saw how the people in Mexico lived. Many of the families lived on the streets in large cardboard boxes cut and shaped to form a small shelter. Often the only heat they had was a small coffee can with something burning in it. I came face to face with real poverty.
All the time thinking I was poor previous to that trip there. I found that in truth I was rich. I had a comfortable but small dwelling place to live in, some food, and I had a heater to warm me. I have since that day been both rich and poor. I have had lots of money, I didn't want and very little that I needed more of it.
These days, I am kind of back in the situation past, poor but never so poor to forget that there are plenty of others in this world that live in true poverty.
To help remind me as a Christian one of the most important truths taught in scripture, I often refer myself to some verses in the Bible. These are verses that all of us as Christians need to hold fast to.
We as a nation and a people have been so mesmerized by our wealth and our materialism we forget. Forgetting the poor is the very worst thing we can do.
All the money taken in and given to organizations, if only a small portion of it is not going to help the poor, then it useless money. It can be your church, your volunteer organization or whatever - if the largest amount is going to the organization itself and not flowing out to those in need, the purpose of your organization is already defeated. There are church denominations, that own billions of dollars in property, two of which I can name are the Baptist and Catholics. Not to pick on just these two but they own the largest amount worldwide. What would all that money have done, if instead of more buildings and property being purchased it would have been given to feed and clothe the poor? It would have helped change the world. So the next time you see someone poorer than yourself, remember these verses.
Remember what Jesus said, what does it profit you to hear the word but not to do the word?
Remember The Poor
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." -Matthew 6:24
"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." -Proverbs 17:5
"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."-Proverbs 21:13
"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty." -Proverbs 22:16
"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"
-Matthew 19:21
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'"
-Matthew 19:23-24
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'"
-Matthew 25:41-45
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." -Proverbs 28:27
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
-Proverbs 31:8-9
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." -1 Timothy 6:9-10
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." -1 Timothy 6:17-19
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." -Ezekiel 16:49
"Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
-Proverbs 11:4
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." -Proverbs 22:1
"Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all."
-Proverbs 22:2
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."
-Proverbs 22:9
"Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them."
-Proverbs 22:22-23
"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." -Proverbs 23:4-5
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."
-Proverbs 28:6
"A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." -Proverbs 28:20
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."
-Proverbs 29:7
"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." -Ecclesiastes 5:10
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
-Deuteronomy 15:11
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." -Proverbs 14:31
"A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare."
-Proverbs 21:6
"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge."
-Psalm 14:6
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." -Proverbs 19:17
"A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him." -Proverbs 28:11
"The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall."
-Proverbs 18:11
I thank God for friends and family that have been there to give me a hand when I needed it. Perhaps, you know someone today that you have been overlooking that needs help. Perhaps, there is someone you know who has a need. Perhaps, there is someone you have judged when it wasn't your right to judge but it was your call to help.
I say it again - remember the poor.
Dr. J.
Many years ago, when I was a young man in college, I went with our Baptist Student Union on a missionary trip to Matamoros, Mexico. We stayed in a large open area and slept on cots, took cold showers at a church in Brownsville, Texas. Each morning a bus load of us would drive to an area where we were constructing an orphanage for some children there. This became my first exposure to poor of the world outside my own.
We traveled into the poorest parts of Matamoros and it was then and there I realized how rich I was.
When I was a college student, my wife worked in the day as a maid, I worked at the same place in the evening doing laundry. There were many times in those days, that after paying our rent for an efficiency apartment we would barely have $5.00 - $10.00 left to eat on, but we had friends.
Those friends though not Christians were often our lifeline. They would feed us and buy us things now and then. They were great friends. The one thing that set them apart is they understood poverty. Most people have no clue unless they have been there. One has to experience poverty or Christ has to show them the need to have a desire to help. It takes compassion to help the poor, not judgement.
I remember well the impression it made in my mind when I saw how the people in Mexico lived. Many of the families lived on the streets in large cardboard boxes cut and shaped to form a small shelter. Often the only heat they had was a small coffee can with something burning in it. I came face to face with real poverty.
All the time thinking I was poor previous to that trip there. I found that in truth I was rich. I had a comfortable but small dwelling place to live in, some food, and I had a heater to warm me. I have since that day been both rich and poor. I have had lots of money, I didn't want and very little that I needed more of it.
These days, I am kind of back in the situation past, poor but never so poor to forget that there are plenty of others in this world that live in true poverty.
To help remind me as a Christian one of the most important truths taught in scripture, I often refer myself to some verses in the Bible. These are verses that all of us as Christians need to hold fast to.
We as a nation and a people have been so mesmerized by our wealth and our materialism we forget. Forgetting the poor is the very worst thing we can do.
All the money taken in and given to organizations, if only a small portion of it is not going to help the poor, then it useless money. It can be your church, your volunteer organization or whatever - if the largest amount is going to the organization itself and not flowing out to those in need, the purpose of your organization is already defeated. There are church denominations, that own billions of dollars in property, two of which I can name are the Baptist and Catholics. Not to pick on just these two but they own the largest amount worldwide. What would all that money have done, if instead of more buildings and property being purchased it would have been given to feed and clothe the poor? It would have helped change the world. So the next time you see someone poorer than yourself, remember these verses.
Remember what Jesus said, what does it profit you to hear the word but not to do the word?
Remember The Poor
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." -Matthew 6:24
"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." -Proverbs 17:5
"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."-Proverbs 21:13
"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty." -Proverbs 22:16
"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"
-Matthew 19:21
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'"
-Matthew 19:23-24
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'"
-Matthew 25:41-45
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." -Proverbs 28:27
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
-Proverbs 31:8-9
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." -1 Timothy 6:9-10
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." -1 Timothy 6:17-19
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." -Ezekiel 16:49
"Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
-Proverbs 11:4
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." -Proverbs 22:1
"Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all."
-Proverbs 22:2
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."
-Proverbs 22:9
"Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them."
-Proverbs 22:22-23
"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." -Proverbs 23:4-5
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."
-Proverbs 28:6
"A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." -Proverbs 28:20
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."
-Proverbs 29:7
"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." -Ecclesiastes 5:10
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
-Deuteronomy 15:11
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." -Proverbs 14:31
"A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare."
-Proverbs 21:6
"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge."
-Psalm 14:6
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." -Proverbs 19:17
"A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him." -Proverbs 28:11
"The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall."
-Proverbs 18:11
I thank God for friends and family that have been there to give me a hand when I needed it. Perhaps, you know someone today that you have been overlooking that needs help. Perhaps, there is someone you know who has a need. Perhaps, there is someone you have judged when it wasn't your right to judge but it was your call to help.
I say it again - remember the poor.
Dr. J.
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