Televangelism

I grew up in the 80’s where televangelism was popular in my home. My mother would have the PTL Club featuring Jim and Tamy Faye Bakker at 7 AM on the tube before we took off for school. It was in some way our morning devotions listening to the reading of scripture and songs sung. Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart are considered pioneers for my generation in seeing televangelist. These televisions shows made a huge impact in my community especially to my mom’s prayer partners and friends. I’m not sure if she was a regular financial contributor but her commitment to turn the television each morning definitely showed.

A fall from grace some of these guys experienced in their demonstration by fleecing many into making contributions under the name of God. Today we still witness many pastors or so called bishops who graduated from this school of thought. You can pull up on the internet and see I.V. Hillard asking for donations for his helicopter, Creflo Dollar asking for his private jet, Robert Tilton, Juanita Bynum, Rod Parsley, John Coontz, Mike Murdoch, Kenneth Copeland and the list goes on. All have asked in the name of Christ to partner, sow a seed, a breakthrough, harvest is coming, healed from your disease and pain only if you send in your donations. Millions and millions of dollars are poured into their ministry without having any accountability.

When you read John 10:10, “The thief comes to only steal and kill and destroy. I come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus is talking about those who are fleecing His flock for their own benefits. Many think He’s referring to Satan. A dear friend of mine has been in partnership with World Changes Ministry for years. He gave over and above under the auspicious as being a partner. When I asked him to define his partnership he proudly defined it then I asked if can he walk on to the premises as a partner? He replied yes. Well, I wanted to go with him to see if he can show me around the campus of World Changes. We never got passed the front desk although he just wanted to walk around the campus as a partner. He needed to set an appointment to walk around or have some official business in order to go past the front desk and being a partner does not get you in the building. A year after he got married and his wife asked him to channel his giving elsewhere and soon as his monies stopped going, he received a personal call from Creflo Dollar himself asking if everything was ok. My friend was kind and said he was doing well.

This partnership, seed doctrine has destroyed so many that they turn away from the church at large. When we ask pastors to be held accountable with the funds given many of them exercise “touch not the Lord’s anointed one” in other words, none of your business on how I spend it. I push back and say yes it is! You asked me to give towards something I want to see the results. If I give my child money for grocery shopping I would hope to see some groceries in the pantry. Today there is no more asking for spiritual things but of physical lavishing toys such as cars, homes, planes and expensive lifestyles. When you ask the average person to see this from a different perspective their answers would be “God is the judge not me” in other words they don’t want to know what’s going on but yet they feel relieved when they send in their monies.

Touch and agree doctrine seems to mesmerize many who are earnestly seeking for the truth. Instead of them trusting and obeying the word some seekers are looking for more. Unfortunately that extra more they want comes with a price. They continue steadfastly giving in hopes of receiving something big from God in some tangible way. We see and hear of many who suffer buy into this prosperity gospel. Give to God and wait to see what He gives back to you. The get rich quick method is used on the hunger of hurting people who are vulnerable seeking a temporary fix for their situation.

If you are seeking the truth, please take time to search the scriptures. Visit the nearest bible believing church and seek after the gospel and plant God’s truth without anyone trying to entice you to for a donation. This gospel is free to all.