Peter SmytheA Different Kind of Word Preacher

n my “Tongues in Plain English” page, I mention the critics that imply that one can’t be intelligent and believe in the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and other tongues. There is probably a larger number of faultfinders who classify you as a theological dimwit or outright apostate (heretic is so yesterday) if you say that you believe that God dares to prosper those He loves. Of course, the minute you do say that you are thrown in with every Tom, Dick, and Harry who has ever been called (by anyone anywhere) a Word of Faith preacher.

There are a number of teachings and doctrines that have come from the Word of Faith movement that are dead-on scriptural: Authority of the Believer, Healing in Redemption, Faith, Prayer (different types), the death-burial-resurrection Plan of Redemption (yep, that controversial one), five-fold ministry gifts, gifts of the Spirit, and so on. But there are also a number of teachings and doctrines that have cropped up in the faith movement that do not have any scriptural basis whatsoever and most of those revolve around prosperity (or should I say “giving”).

With the advent of mega-ministries and their costly organizational structures, more than a few in the camp have run afoul of Gordon Lindsey’s admonition about fundraising:

[Money] is an important element in promoting Christian work. Its availability to a considerable extent governs the scope of our activities. It is, therefore, natural that a minister looks for ways and means by which he can secure the necessary funds for the work that he feels called to do.

But here lurks many pitfalls in which the unwary may stumble. The line between the permissible and the objectionable is sometimes very thin. Some men have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for missions, and their work is to be highly praised. Others have raised comparatively insignificant amounts, and the manner in which it was done or the way they used it, has called forth strong condemnation.

Gimmicks which included relics, bones, holy water, indulgences, etc., cursed the Medieval Church. They were widely used at that time as money-raising devices designed to appeal to people’s ignorance and superstition. Today certain preachers are resorting to gimmicks to entice people to part with their money … (Gordon Lindsey, The Charismatic Ministry at 51-52)

While bones, holy water, and indulgences aren’t usually seen in our church sanctuaries, they are still with us in the form of aberrant teachings. These teachings, instead of furthering the kingdom, cut against the liberty wherein Christ hath set us free. And, unfortunately, they have been promoted by many preachers who classify themselves as “Word” guys (which is pretty ironic, to say the least).

Financial Prosperity as a Sign of Spirituality

Many ministers refer to the size of other preacher’s ministries or a layman’s business as a sign of God’s financial prosperity on that individual. The thinking is that God is adding things to your life because you are seeking the kingdom of God (Matthew 6.33 - “seek ye first the kingdom and these things will be added”).

The thing is the New Testament speaks of Moses rejecting the treasures of Egypt and the OT prophets living in caves for the sake of the Gospel. 1 Timothy 6.5 (also NT) shows us that a financial windfall, by itself, is not a sure indicator of God’s blessing.

and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. (NASB)

Giving to Get

While it’s somewhat out of vogue today (it is still run on some telethons), there has been a teaching that a Christian “gives to get.” This is giving out of duty and is/was usually based on the story of Elijah and the widow woman in 1 Kings.

This teaching basically says that you give to the “man of God” first (often sacrificially) and then God will reward your giving financially just like the widow. The thing is there is no scripture that says that every individual will experience the blessings of God in exactly the same fashion. The NT teaches us to give out of a cheerful heart and also according to “what each man is able.” In doing that, the Word says that God supplies our needs.

Naming Seed

There’s nothing in the New Testament about naming seed. Though I used to sit through these kinds of services, now I hit the exit anytime a minister speaks about naming seed.

Hundredfold Return

The hundred-fold return simply is not in the NT when it comes to money. There is no evidence that Paul, Peter, or any other disciple experienced a hundred-fold return on giving. The mention of a hundred-fold return in the NT is in Mark with regard to the Word of God. The Word increases thirty, sixty, and a hundred-fold, not money.

Debt-Breaking Anointing - Supernatural Debt Cancellation

Not a single scripture supports such an anointing. And, frankly, being in a service where it is even mentioned is embarrassing. While God may move on some people to help others to pay their debts or what-have-you, there’s no NT Elijah carrying around that kind of anointing.

Frugality

In all of the “prosperity” services that I’ve been in (too many to count), I don’t recall a single preacher spending more than 45 seconds teaching frugality (some refer their congregants to some financial planning seminar, but that’s weak). While God does bless, there is the other side of the coin which is putting the body under and living a thrifty and frugal life (this can cut against sacrificial giving so I imagine that is why it is not taught properly).

Just the other day, I ran across a blog post about frugality and thought I’d add a portion here because it fits in with the way that my family goes about its day-to-day living:

I am an advocate for thrift, however, and in my life, being “thrifty” means that you buy well, and then you use what you buy until it no longer has value. You buy it for the long haul. This was something that came naturally to people of my grandparents’ generation (the Great Depression kind of drummed it into them) but these days, when the marketing folks at Apple strive to make you feel a wave of intense, personal shame that you didn’t pony up for the Mac Air the very instant it was released, this is a virtue we’ve lost track of. And it’s true enough that if every single American thought like this, the economy would collapse even faster than it is doing at the moment. But you know what? Let the rest of America worry about that. We’re here to worry about you. (John Scalzi at Whatever)

Word from the wife is that I have to get back to the real stuff - the realities of redemption. So, starting next week I’m headed back to Galatians 3.13 and how Jesus was raised from the dead. That stuff is so much more fun to write about anyway.