Grace – We should all have respect for the gift we have been given. Salvation is a gift from God. To be able to spread the gospel is a privilege and an honor. We should not propagate the gospel to fill our own pockets; to do so is an abomination and a total disgrace to everything that Jesus gave us at Calvary.
Timothy 3:3, 1 Peter 5:2, and Titus 1:7 all tell us that ministers – those who proclaim Christ and Him crucified should not be greedy of money or use the gospel shamelessly to make money. It is sad to say that criticism from outside the church by secular society regarding their finances is often seen as a badge of honor that validates many a ministry’s success in their own eyes.
The word here instructs us that ministers should not covet money, they should be not greedy of worldly substance or riches; neither should they have desires of financial worldly gain in the service of Christ. They are to seek not their own things, but those of Christ. I believe that men and women proclaiming the gospel for their own selfish financial gains are being very disrespectful to Christ and the grace He has so freely given to all of us. Ministries should not withhold from the poor that which is meant for them, or use funds for their own pleasures.
God’s word tells ministers to take heed in Paul’s teaching . . . Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people – They are God’s children – you are to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.
In Acts 20 Paul speaks directly to ministers saying, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. Paul himself demonstrated that it was necessary to work on behalf of the weak and not to exploit them. The blood of ministers may be required of them who are negligent or deceitful in their office, and ignore the counsel of God.
Are they right in your eyes? You decide – God most certainly will. Below I have listed a satirical look (or is it not?) at Jesus and the televangelists – side by side, you decide.
Jesus’ Transportation
Televangelist Transportation
Where Jesus Laid His Head
Where televangelists lay their head
In depth video look at Televangelist Ministries by the Trinity Foundation
Matthew 6:19-20 God’s word instructs us not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth, but to instead store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.
Ezekiel 34:2-10 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds who have fed yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.
Related articles
- Day 75: Benny Hinn (firstjohn419.wordpress.com)
- Benny Hinn: “Jesus did not save anyone. Only Holy Spirit can save” (ivarfjeld.wordpress.com)
- Liberal Washington Post gets it right on the Prosperity Gospel (thewordonthewordoffaithinfoblog.com)
- Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Paula White Victims of Fraud? (christculturenews.com)
- Problems In Churches (pastorron7.wordpress.com)
- My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27, NKJV (bummyla.wordpress.com)
- The Second Mention of the Church in Matthew 18 (dontrest.com)
- Jesus and self-justification (cnhfaith.me)
- Day Two : I am the Good Shepherd (dollag.wordpress.com)
Categories: Bible Verses and Scriptures, Body of Christ, Christianity, Finances, Jesus, Ministry, Preacher, Salvation, Success
Darrell Creswell - A Study of Christian Grace 
Darrell, thank you for your blog today which I find very timely and illustrates what I mentioned in my blog today entitled Christian Dim Sum – That is the difference – My name. With your permission, I have made no delay in posting your blog on ChristianBlessings 6 February, 2013.. May the Lord help us be true to His name and give Him glory always for His grace and works in our lives and among us. Evelyn .
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🙂 As always Evelyn, I am honored to co labor the gospel with you. I just finished reading your blog http://ptl2010.com/2013/02/06/christian-dim-sum-3/ and could not agree with you more. All praise to He that gave us the gift of grace…Blessings Darrell
so glad I saw this.. been there and done that, but I would condemn me….. So glad you are telling the truth of God’s word
🙂 Blessings Darrell
Too many televangelists are out for the money. They take money from people that can’t afford to give it.
I agree with you 100% Barbara. It is so sad when men use grace for their own personal gains. Thanks so much for stopping by…Blessings in Christ Darrell
Thanks for sharing – God bless you.
Thanks for stopping by…Blessings Darrell
Darrell, i am so shocked now after reading your message and watching the video. How sad!! i have no words.
It is very sad that many are not true to the calling, thank God for those that do that He may be glorified. Blessings Darrell
At times, these ministries have blessed me with their teachings. Yet, their addiction to their own prosperity messages overwhelms me, especially when you consider our Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord who are struggling to survive in Asia.
I too have been blessed by the ministries of some of these and even had dinner with a couple of them earlier in my ministry days, but it saddens me greatly to see the way that men and women get caught up with the gifts that God has given to them to share the gospel. I personally know many great men of God such as Tommy Barnett that have stayed true to their calling and not been taken in by greed and money. There are many ministers around the world who die for their calling. It is reported that as much as 50% of the ministers in the old west lost their lives as they spread the gospel of Jesus. To much has been given, much will be required. Blessings Darrell
Colossians 1:18 comes to mind . . . That in all things, Christ should have the preeminence.
Great scripture…Thanks Darrell
Reblogged this on Seeking God's Truth and commented:
Here it is in black and white. So sad!
Thank you for your ‘follow’, for sharing your beautiful inspirational illustrated Bible pictures, and for this particular post. I put your post in my TAB BAR under DECEPTION HOT LINE.
Please check out ‘Nigeria’s Millionaire Preachers’: http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/shocking-video-nigerias-millionaire-preachers-comments/
~Liz (Shofar)
Thank you Liz. I looked at your website and found it very informative. Thank you for all your efforts for the Kingdom. Blessings Darrell
I just saw today you were following Lyn Leahz. Thanks so much for the follow. God bless you, Darrell. Hope you are having a blessed year so far.
Thanks I enjoy all your posts..Blessings darrell
😉 ♪♫♪♫♪♫ thanks. I enjoy yours, too. Funny thing is, and I’ve been having this problem..i think it’s because I changed emails…but I am following you and get none of your posts. So, I’m going to unfollow and follow again in case that is the case. But when I did get your posts, I enjoyed them..and enjoy the ones I’ve seen you post on CB.
I don’t know what the problem is. I will post again tomorrow so let me know. Blessings Darrell
It’s not your site. This has been with many. Some other people have had the same problem with various sites. I’m thinking it’s because I changed my emails. No problem. I clicked on subscribe on the side. That seems to be working. Thanks so much.
Reblogged this on Daily Bread Devotions and commented:
Wow, look at the comparison, crikey!
Hi, Years ago, I was burned once by an ‘evangelist’ named Armstrong a father and son team. So, I’ve been aware of the problem of hypocrisy in the Church, but I am so surprised with how arrogant it all is. No one seems ashamed. Nothing seems hid! I haven’t the words. I placed the you-tube video on my facebook page. Don’t know what it will do, but its there. I know some folks at my local church trust some of these ministries. I don’t, and so far any implication on my part to them has fallen on deaf ears.
God bless you and your service in his Name.
Thanks for visiting and sharing Eddie, He told us to feed His sheep, not the other way around. The arrogance of many is amazing. I pray for those who I believe are out of touch with their calling, we are all but sinners saved by His grace. Blessings Darrell
Brother Darrell, I am a bit concerned because I have started reading Joyce Meyer’s book “Start your new life today” and felt touched by God. Then I saw the picture above “Joyce Meyer compound”. I am afraid of getting wrong doctrine. My question is: Is it possible that some of these televangelists can be doctrinally sound and inspire me with their writings but they are simply bad at money management? Or if they are living such a lavish life, then I should not even be reading their books? Besides reading the bible, I am currently looking for books to read to help me restore my life. I am quite concerned about reading the wrong books that are not doctrinally sound. Please advise me. Thank you.
All I can advise is to let the Spirit of God guide you. In reading books make sure always that they align with the word of God. Jesus said I have come to give you life and that more abundantly. Money is not the essence of life, grace is – In Christ darrell
Which GOD thou the GOD OF GRACE or The HEALTH/WEALTH CULT God !!!!
these televangelists are really fleecing the flock
All will be responsible for their actions before God – Blessings Darrell
how did we come to this place of selling my Lord?
I am glad I came across this. No wonder the word of God declares that not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the Kingdom of God. I will let God handle it his own way and let him be the judge himself.
Anyway thank you so much for sharing this and I will also repost in my FB account, because some of friends really admires these TV Preaches. God bless you Darrell
God bless you too – Thanks for sharing – Blessings in Christ, Darrell
I too sometimes wonder but who am I to judge. I wonder how many souls have been saved by these Televangelists does that not count for something. It is way more then you or I. My Word says touch not mine anointed and do my profits no harm. Does that not include these. I am very careful about harmful things I say about God’s anointed including you. I am not your judge. Sometimes it comes across as someone who is jealous. I wonder what lovely things were said about Solomon or Job we could have a hay day. and as far as taking advantage of someone where there money is concerned My God supplies my needs according to his riches in glory he owns it all, right down to my 1st & last breathe. I can’t out give God. and if I give $100.00 to a guy on the street and he misuses it but I gave with the right intentions. God sees the intent of the heart. I know we could do what if and what about all day. I can’t cast a stone at any of these people maybe you can.