“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:7-11).
We live in a world of greed.
Greed seems to define the 21st century. The “gimme-gimme” generation is awash with all the techno gadgets that somehow enhance a person’s status in our society. Some girls won’t date a guy that does not wear the right clothes or have the appropriate car. There are young men who see women as objects to be displayed. The prettier they are the more “respect” they get from their peers.
Deep down they are all very shallow.
But we may ask; where did all this materialistic superficiality come from?
When did the world we know become so cold callous and single minded on things that are of no eternal value?
The Radio
I would like to make a point: If you were born in the late 40s or early 50s chances are that you listened to the same music as your parents. The transistor radio had not been invented and everyone in the family listened to their valve radiogram which sat proudly in the sitting room of most households. Mom and dad and kids were all involved in whatever was broadcast over the airwaves.
Serial plays were popular before TV and everyone enjoyed the music played on air. The music was universal in that Rock and Roll had not fully come of age. There was not much of the Blues on radio either because it was considered “black.”
The Blues gave birth to Rock and Roll and really became popular when the transistor radio was marketed and the younger generation could listen to what they liked without interfering with the regular radio programmes.
This seems like an innocent shift in social norms, but the results were in part the cause of what we are experiencing today with a generation of a “dumbed down” populace that wants everything for nothing because they have always been given everything for nothing.
(Naturally this does not apply to everyone, but in general our society is spoiled for choice and demanding what they want when they want it.)
After the transistor, radio technology advanced to where we are now with iPads, iPods, and iPhones and all the other conveniences of modern technology has separated the young from their parents. Not only is it age that separates the generations; it is also a subculture of “SELF” for the sake of self. Our youth are separated from the previous generation by a well- oiled machine that programs our youth from the time that they watch a cartoon network in order to keep them entertained.
The youth have their own music now. For the most part parents have no idea what their children are listening to. They are clueless as to what message the lyrics are conveying to impressionable minds; what language is being spewed out and what spiritual influence is being exerted on their children. I know, I know, it sounds silly, but we can trace it all back in part to the invention of the transistor radio.
But now dear reader, there are much more powerful influences upon our lives in cable TV, and a host of other “must have” conveniences. Entertainment above all is the name of the game. Speaking of games; sports is a major diversion from reality. In fact it is for many a pseudo reality. Sports is in many countries is like a religion.
For example, football, baseball and basketball in the U.S., rugby and football in New Zealand and football and soccer in the UK, Spain Germany etc.
All of this revolves around one thing: MONEY.
Sport, Music, Entertainment—it is all BIG MONEY.
Chump Change
The Laodicean church has not been asleep during all this money spinning activity. It has seen the potential for making the big bucks too. But their approach has had to have a “religious” flavor. All kinds of merchandise is sold by any number of false prophets and pseudo-Christian peddlers.
They sell their books on topics such as: Ten Steps to Financial Freedom; Twelve Steps to “Break Through” Miracles; Ten Steps to Easy Prophecy; Dream Interpretation for Novice’s; Financial Freedom God’s Way etc. etc.
They sell tickets to those who can afford it, to come and hear so-and-so speaking on a “Winning Lifestyle.” The poor have to go without this ministry from God because they are poor; and poor people cannot afford the gospel which is preached by these men and women so they are left out. (They will have to buy the tape later; if they can afford it.)
Then there are the t-shirts and other related paraphernalia for sale at the back of the hall.
Specially discounted books for this month only. But wait there’s more; if you take two books today you will receive a free gift!
The International Bulletin for Missions Research estimates that there is an average of $90 million fraudulently obtained by religious leaders ON A DAILY BASIS. [1]
Who is dumb enough to support these obvious frauds? It is the unschooled Christians who do not know or read the Bibles. They rely on the pastor to do their work for them. They do not want to spend time and effort researching or simply studying their Bible; they want the pastor to read it and tell them what to do. They have based their eternal relationship with God in the hands of a man. Often this is a corrupt man who is reprobate and apostate.
Are you funding this fraudulent and satanic empire?
Donation?
On TBN there is this thing of getting something for a “donation.” What is a donation? The dictionary defines a donation as… an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution. A donation by its very nature cannot specify what you give because a donation is a voluntary contribution to something. When they say “For a donation of only $50.00…” it is a scam. A donation cannot be any specified amount because a donation is an unspecified voluntary contribution.
It is disingenuous for TBN to con people into thinking that they are giving a “donation” when in fact they are paying a price like any other business would charge.
Am I splitting hairs? Am I straining on a gnat?
The problem is this: It is perfectly acceptable to have and operate a business. It is quite another thing to disguise your business as a charitable organization that cares for the well being of its customers.
Oral Roberts
I hate to have to bring this up, but it is worth mentioning here: In January 1987 the late Oral Roberts told his audience that God was going to take him home unless he could raise $ 8 million. He announced to a television audience that unless he raised $8 million by that March, God would “call him home.” However, the year before on Easter, he had told a gathering at the Dallas Convention Centre that God had instructed him to raise the money “by the end of the year” or he would die.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Roberts – cite_note-39 Regardless of this new March deadline and the fact that he was still $4.5 million short of his goal,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Roberts – cite_note-40 some of his misguided followers were fearful that he was perhaps referring to suicide. Given the impassioned pleas and tears that accompanied his statements, he raised $9.1 million.
I don’t think the God I serve works that way.
John 2:15, 16: “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
2 Peter 2:3: “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
My fellow traveller, are you too, being scammed by the forces out there that are making merchandise of you and your precious faith?
May I ask you to use discernment when being so generous with what was so hard earned?
It is good to be generous. It is Christian to be a giver. God loves a cheerful giver. But in doing so, are you inadvertently supporting that which is antichrist in its essence?
Only you will know. If you are not sure, you have the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
God Bless,
Vernon Gray
Endnotes
[1] http://www.internationalbulletin.org