Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Peddlers
2 Corinthians 2:17
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.
These days there are more routes to starting a church or ministry, and to establishing oneself as a leader, than ever before. And as a result, there are new ministries and churches mushrooming all over the place almost every day.
Some have stayed under the covering of large denominational outfits, others have gone off completely on their own as independents. In some cases, the denominational structure and doctrine have allowed individual leaders to behave like independents while remaining a part of the denomination.
Another thing that is easy to do these days is to get additional qualifications. There are more doctors running around the church now than there are in the hospital. Some of these doctors earned their degrees from reputable seminaries, universities, and colleges after doing the required body of work that could withstand scrutiny. Others have acquired their degrees from a Caribbean bottom house or North American store from where there is no faculty with the stature to provide credible reviews.
With churches that could be incorporated by any fake minister with a laptop, a mailing address, and a qualification that was bought on the cheap, charlatans are on the loose all over major cities, on TV and Online, relieving gullible Christians of their money.
The word of God is now a commodity traded by persons who have not necessarily established themselves over time through either education, apprenticeship, training, hard work, and sacrifice.
Glitz, glamour, and celebrity Christianity is the order of the day and the purveyors of health and wellness faith peddle it night and day with their videos and other hi-resolution graphics products. These salesmen, interested as they are in their own wellbeing, generally ignore the plight of others in their demands of them.
Money is the spiritual currency by which the followers of these ministries are able to obtain a prayer, or a word, or a miracle, or some deliverance. The nature of the word of prophecy you receive is sometimes determined by the amount of money you are able to produce.
I was at a church recently and after speaking I was asked to pray for some persons. As I stood before the congregation a line formed before me. Every person in the line had an envelope to give me before I prayed. When I was done praying for any who had come I gather the envelops that I had placed nearby and handed them to the pastor of the church. He smiled and told me that the money was for me. Everyone there was trained that in order to get prayer or a word from the prophet you have to bring something.
It is both sad and disturbing to see these developments. But it should not come as a surprise to us because this dysfunction is as old as the church itself. We have an instructive case that occurred during the ministry of the apostle Peter. Philip was preaching in Samaria, as recorded in Acts 8, Simon, a sorcerer of significant reputation who astonished many with his works eventually got saved and baptised like many others in that city.
Peter and John were later sent down to Samaria to see what was happening and when Peter and John prayed for the new converts they received the Holy Spirit when they laid their hands on them. Simon was now the one astonished, “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.”” Acts 8:18,19.
Simon resorted to money as spiritual currency because this is what he came from and this was the motive he knew. The apostle Peter, however, was having none of it, “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.” Acts 8:20-23.
Peter later urged ministers, through his letter, to avoid dishonest gain in ministry, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly” 1 Peter 5:2.
The apostle Paul, in the pastoral letters, hits this theme many times with Timothy and Titus. He urged Timothy to be on the lookout for those “who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” 1 Timothy 6:5.
In the case of Titus, the apostle warned there are some, “whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.” Titus 1:11.
Given the nature of western society, culture, and economy it seems that commercial Christianity will continually be with us. Communications technologies provide new ways for the commercialisation of faith and ministry, and now social media has added, to the system, instant gratification even for those far removed by space and time.
Despite the clear warnings of the scriptures, the money is flowing to those who are peddling the word of God.
Think on these things:
- Have you ever given money to a minister of the gospel in return for a word, prophecy or healing?
- Do you know of anyone who has been deceived into providing money to a minister working for profit?
- How do the leaders of your church protect members from those who are out to exploit them for personal gain?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would be able to discern those ministers who are charlatans and warn others to avoid them.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex
