How Many Gospels



The Church and Money

Throughout the church history, men and women claiming to represent Jesus have repulsed unbelievers. While this tragedy can be attributed to a number of failures, has there been any greater barrier for the non-Christian than how supposed Christians have mishandled money matters? We’re disgusted by the excesses that have dominated the headlines in our lifetime, but many like indiscretions dot the religious landscapes since the time of Christ. That’s why Jesus warns, “You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13) Mammon, of course, is the god of wealth and riches.

 

Early on, the church of the New Testament confronted religious sleaze. In Acts 8, we find Simon the sorcerer seducing Samaria with magic or witchcraft. The gullible people considered Simon the “great power of God.” (verse 10) However, we read that when Philip the evangelist came to town preaching “the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” (Acts 8:12-13) Simon knew the real deal when he saw it; he turned to God and turned his back on his sordid past. Simon’s penchant for money, power and glory eventually got the best of him. The Scriptures tell us in Acts 8:18-24, “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.’" Simon tried to buy the gift of God, but the sacred is not for sale. We get the English word, simony, from the name of this biblical character who fell. Simony is “the buying or selling of sacred Christian objects.”

 

Simon turned from his sin and has long since gone on, but the sin of simony is alive and well. Far too often, those who bear the name Christian elevate money over the souls of men. One reason I am a member of the church of Christ is because the church has zero tolerance for preachers who partner with Mammon, the god of riches. This morning, we will contrast the attitude of the church of Christ toward money with the prevailing spirit of the age. But first, enjoy our song…

 

The following words were from preachers quoted in the September 20, 2004 edition of the L. A. Times. "If my heart really, honestly desires a nice Cadillac … would there be something terribly wrong with me saying, 'Lord, it is the desire of my heart to have a nice car … and I'll use it for your glory? I think I could do that and in time, as I walked in obedience with God, I believe I'd have it." Can you imagine Jesus, James, John, saying that? No, but Paul Crouch of TBN did. The Holy Spirit says, instead, in James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

 

Consider the following statement? “Have you got something that you have been praying about 10, 15,

20 years? You have been praying for it and haven't gotten it…. It could be that you haven't gotten it because you are a tightwad and you haven't given your ten per cent.” Paul Crouch of TBN again. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “So let each one give as he purposes in HIS heart.” It’s a personal decision between you and God. Listen, God is not some kind of slot machine who issues a jackpot to everyone who deposits a certain amount of money into some religious program.

 

The LA Times article continues: “TBN viewers are told that if they don't reap a windfall despite their

donations, they must be doing something to ‘block God's blessing’ — most likely, not giving enough.”

The implication is that they are not giving enough to TBN. Crouch has particularly stern words for those who are not giving at all. "If you have been healed or saved or blessed through TBN and have not contributed … you are robbing God and will lose your reward in heaven," he said during a 1997 telecast.

 

Dave Wagner of NewChannel 36 in Charlotte, North Carolina reported on November 27, 2008 ()  "There are 300 people I want to pray for that will set aside a $58 seed for the next 12 months," ….[Mike Murdoch’s] "prosperity" pitch [is] filled with drama and the promise of divine miracles. "They did a geological report and when it came back they found gold on her 27 acres of ground. This happened after a $58 seed," …"My goal is for 300 people to hear the wisdom that God gives my heart for them to become millionaires for the sake of the Kingdom of God," All of these are quotes from Mike Murdock on Inspiration Network.

 

One reason I am a member of the church of Christ is because the church does not preach this prosperity gospel. The LA Times reports, “A central element of the prosperity gospel is that no one is too poor or too indebted to donate. Bishop Clarence McClendon, a preacher whose show (aptly named – BH) "Take It By Force" appears on TBN, told viewers in March that God had asked him to deliver a message to those in financial difficulty: They should "sow a seed" by using their credit cards to make donations. In return, the Lord would see to it that the balances would be paid off within 30 days.” This ugly racket and others like it gives faithful gospel preachers a black eye; people assume we’re all just in it for the money. That’s just not the case! Let the Bible Speak has been on the air over forty years, and you have never heard Ronny Wade, Irvin Barnes, Clovis Cook, Johnny Elmore or any other preacher from the church of Christ ask for one penny. In fact, we offer free DVDs and transcripts of the program and free Bible studies by mail.

 

Sadly, the Times reports “TBN collects more than $120 million a year from viewers...” funding salaries for Paul and Jan Crouch of over three-quarters of a million dollars a year, a TBN jet and thirty homes across the country including “a pair of Newport Beach mansions and a ranch in Texas.” And they

still beg for money.

 

Don’t misunderstand; there’s nothing wrong with being rich. Abraham (Genesis 13:2), Joseph (Genesis 41:39-49), David (1 Chronicles 29:26-28) and Solomon (1 Kings 3:11-13) were wealthy. Having money is not a sin, but Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

 

After the church is established, the Holy Spirit does not tell the wealthy to sell all they have, but,

instead (1 Timothy 6:17-19), “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty,

nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share….” The wealthy are urged to be generous and are warned against trusting in “uncertain riches.” God also says, “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (I Tim. 6:9-11) Many false teachers have given Christianity a bad name because their preaching promotes “a desire to be rich”—something the Scriptures plainly condemn. (See Proverbs 23:4; 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:9) One reason I am a member of the church of Christ is because its preachers do not beg for money at church, on the radio or on television. It’s a shame that men claiming to speak on God’s behalf prostitute the gospel in the name of Christ. Instead of closing their program with talk about Jesus, the word of God or the church, most close by begging for money. Is that really what God had in mind in preaching the gospel?

Scripture issue a resounding, “No!” Paul writes by inspiration in 2 Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God.” The New King James Version reads, “For we are not, as so

many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in

Christ.” [italics mine] The International Standard Version has “At least we are not commercializing God's word like so many others.” Isn’t that exactly what’s happening today? Preachers are corrupting and peddling the word of God for base gain.

 

A plea for money is a red flag to help you recognize a false teacher. Satan would not get very far if his servants dressed up in a red suit with horns, pitchfork and a pointed tail spewing filth and hatred, asking you to send him money. Instead, Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

 

Another scripture exposing this base behavior is 2 Peter 2:1-3: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words...” Isn’t this what’s going on in the religious world—especially with many televangelists?

 

The Authorized Version has for 2 Peter 2:3, “they will make merchandise of you.”  Green’s Literal translation suggests “they will use you for gain.” New Living Translation: “In their greed they will

make up clever lies to get hold of your money.” New Century Version: “Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling you lies.” Albert Barnes writes in his commentary that they will “Treat you not as rational beings, but as a bale of goods, or any other article of traffic.” Let’s face it, Christendom is filled with religious hucksters, peddlers and swindlers. One wonders little how He that overthrew the tables of the moneychangers in the temple would respond to this religious corruption.

 

This is not just a problem with individual televangelists. Churches have certainly been guilty of making people feel like they care more about their money than they do about them and their soul. Remember John Tetzel, chief fundraiser for Pope Leo X by way of the Archbishop of Mainz in Germany. Tetzel, a travelling salesman peddling indulgences, told the common people they could purchase remission of the earthly consequences of sin. Tetzel actually made a chart with a price for each kind of sin. His spiel went: “I have here the passports to lead the human soul to the celestial joys of paradise. The Holy Father [as he referred to the Pope] has the power in heaven and earth to forgive sin, and if he forgives it, God must do so also.” Tetzel was famous for saying, "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." No wonder the Bible says the “love of money is the root of all evil.”

 

How did such a disgusting practice develop? Well, according to F. W. Mattox in his book The Eternal

Kingdom, “After Prince Albert of Brandenberg… paid Pope Leo X about $25,000” (p. 241) to buy the

office of bishop, he offered about $250,000 to become the Archbishop of Mainz and about $250,000 to buy a third church office. He didn’t have the cash so he borrowed the money from bankers. He received the loan with the promise that he would pay it back with the sale of indulgences. And why did the pope need to charge all this money to sell the office of archbishop, et cetera? He ran out of money to build St. Peter’s basilica in Rome. (Mattox, p. 241) Did Jesus die for this?

 

The dark history of Tetzel, the Archbishop of Mainz and indulgences is shocking. Many people haven’t learned much from history that points to the source of financial coercion. Churches get bogged down in so many building projects and endless, expensive activities that they have to constantly pump and prime the congregation for more money. I’ve attended evening services (not church of Christ services) where an offering bucket was passed, not once, not twice, but three times. What is that all about? Before the bucket was passed the third time, a special prayer was offered to stimulate even more giving. Even as a visitor determined not to give a penny to support the false teaching, I felt the pressure intentionally exerted on the crowd. This is hard to square with 2 Corinthians 9:7, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity…” The English Standard Version reads, “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion…” A. T. Robertson says the Greek behind the word “compulsion” means “As if it were like pulling eye-teeth.” Far too often that’s what people get when they go to church: a little of the Bible contaminated with coercion to contribute more and more money. That’s not the church of the Bible and one more reason I am a member of the church of Christ.

 

I am a member of the church of Christ because when it comes to giving, it’s the same every week; one offering every Lord’s Day. We cannot go wrong by doing it just like we read it in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” Why not practice simple New Testament worship? No fundraisers, no hoopla, no pressure, no duns, no letters in the mail saying you are behind on your giving. Jesus taught that our giving was between us and God in Matthew 6:3-4.

 

I am a member of the church of Christ because when it comes to giving, we stress the words of the Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of

necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (NKJV) Are you a cheerful giver? Do you smile when you

think about what you will contribute at church today? If not, it doesn’t matter how much you give; it

doesn’t meet the Biblical standard. The problem may be your church and not your heart. One key to

cheerful giving is knowing that the money you give is spent in areas authorized by Scripture. The church treasury is to be used for the spread of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Romans 10:15), the edification of the body (Ephesians 4:11-16), the care of needy saints, (2 Corinthians 8 & 9) and the support of certain qualified widows (1 Timothy 5). When the Lord’s money is spent only in biblical ways, it leads to cheerful giving.

 

If you would like to get a copy of this message, stay with us, and we’ll tell you how, after our song…

Thank you for watching Let the Bible Speak. If you’d like a copy of “The Church and Money” (#912), please write or call us. We also offer our free Bible study course you can complete at home.

Viewers say they have learned more from this course than they have learned in a lifetime of Sunday

school. We always welcome your comments and questions. Please visit where you can watch videos, hear podcasts and read transcripts of the program. You may join our facebook page to receive weekly updates of the sermon airing in your market on Sunday. Finally, we echo the sentiment of the apostle Paul when he wrote in Romans 16:16, “the churches of Christ salute you.” Until next week, goodbye and God bless.

Are you searching for the truth of God's word and have a sincere desire to learn about the Bible? Do you want to know what the Bible says about salvation and about Christ and His church? If you are looking for Bible Founded discussion on these topics and many others, then please accept this invitation to explore "Let the Bible Speak" and then contact us for additional studies.

We are members of the church of Christ as found in the New Testament. We are not members of a denomination or earthly religious organization. We are a brotherhood of believers, joined by a common bond, Jesus Christ. We try to live and worship following the patterns found in the New Testament.

(For manuscripts of other sermons visit: )

COPYRIGHT © Let The Bible Speak. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Express permission is granted to distribute any video, audio, or transcript of any broadcast message as long as the material is: unedited and attribution is given to Let The Bible Speak; a hyperlink to is included for electronic distribution; a text reference is included to for printed distribution; and the original author receives attribution. An irrevocable, world-wide, royalty free license for distribution is granted as long as such distribution has the intent of: supporting the truth as presented; giving glory and honor to God; and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download