Editorials/Opinion
Holy Rollers or High Rollers?
I have been reading with great interest about some of the televangelists that are ravishing the market. I have nothing against ministers whether they are on TV or not. My late father was a minister. I’m speaking of these people who promote “God wants us to prosper”. I am very aware that God indeed would like to see us prosper, while on the other hand, I am sure that if we would allow it, He would meet all our needs as He has said He would.
Regarding this message of prosperity and Christians, it seems some of these “ministers” are nothing more than “God’s stock brokers”, ensuring the people that if they obey and plant seeds into all these ministries, they will be assured to reap financial rewards. It is indeed an obligation to be of a giving heart. The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver, but these guys will also take money from a grump!
These people, in my opinion, are no more than professional, fraudulent fundraising machines. You know, if our politicians would similarly conduct their campaigns, such as having great conferences, even some singing and dancing, and then, have all these aides to walk the aisles with these fried chicken buckets and allow the people to give till it hurts. Hey, it works for the preachers. Speaking of the chicken buckets, isn’t it ironic that these people use chicken buckets since it is said that ministers have such a craving for the Colonel’s critters?
Having heard one of the TV preachers several days ago, he was saying that a lady prophet had called his wife and told her that God had spoken to her audibly and that Jesus would appear on stage with this minister in the coming future. What is this, truth or dare? Be ye careful, dude. If I were this man, I would have a couple of lightning rods installed all around me. If I recall correctly, the Bible speaks of Jesus coming back only twice. Once, as He meets the saints in the air, and the second time, He sets up His kingdom here on earth. It makes mention no place in my bible about Jesus returning for a show date and sharing the stage with this money grabber.
It amazes me how these people, who claim that they heal people, and how they are so special and so anointed, yet, in the same breath, will encourage you to “invest” in their ministry. I would like to know why these guys aren’t invading every clinic, every doctor’s office, and every hospital room, praying for the sick to recover. Why are they not going into these places and laying hands on the sick? Could it be because there would be no cameras there? No congregation to pander to? No flock to fleece? Yes indeed, I believe wholeheartedly in God’s healing powers, but I do not believe that God gives these supernatural powers to these people to use for profit.
Prosperity, yes, that’s the message. Yet, why did Jesus preach a message of sacrifice? Sounds like a house divided to me. When the 12 Apostles or Disciples were chosen, were they commanded to go out amongst the people and shake them down and invite them to give so they could prosper? No, the disciples had to give up practically everything to follow Christ. If some of these ministers were to preach to a congregation of 50 or so, sell their fine homes, their automobiles, the Rolex, the summer home, and all other precious items, without the benefit of TV, would they preach the same message? Yes, I’m a firm believer in being able to take care of myself and others, but I don’t think for a minute that God wants us all to be millionaires. All people cannot handle such prosperity, whether believers or not.
Another thing that chaps my keister is to see these men on TV pleading and begging for money. This same minister that I watched for a few minutes, as he spoke his first words, exactly 2 minutes and 14 seconds into his introduction, he began to solicit money. Why do they offer a toll-free number if you want to pledge money, but call for prayer, it’s your dime. That seems quite backward. A thought occurred to me as I watched this man speak of how “the devil was coming against him and his ministry” because the devil hates it when Christians prosper. The devil hates righteousness. In ways, this is true. Yet, when we common folk have some trials and tribulations in our lives, these same ministers always tell us that God is trying to tell us something, or that we need to make some changes in our own lives. And I also agree partly with that. But what I discovered is that when they are being attacked, it’s because they are so righteous…and if it’s us, it’s because we are bad. Maybe they should take a closer look within themselves. God could be trying to tell them something!
As I close, I would like to say again that I am not bashing ministers, but if there’s anything that I despise more than political corruption, it is spiritual corruption. I am thankful I don’t have to answer for them because I have more than enough to answer for myself. But I sincerely hope people will wake up and see what is going on with these ministers. These ministers, these shepherds are supposed to take care of the flock…not fleece them.
As always, this column is just an opinion, and nothing more. You may or may not agree and that is not important to me. What is important is that these corrupt ministers need to be exposed to the imposters that they have become. Get on the net, and do some searching. Turn on your TV and watch and see and hear for yourself. If you still aren’t convinced, you have an option to send an e-mail and I will give you an address so that you may send me a few bucks so that I may prosper. The money will go to a worthy cause…Duke Power and AT&T.; I pledge to them monthly!
“And they sang a hymn and went away ………………………………..
