When "pastors" become lovers of money

Just two of the many examples of the modern-day "preachers" who see their "pulpit" as a way to further their stock portfolio, rather than furthering the kingdom of God.

The passage Cashflow is questioned about is Matthew 19:16-22--16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

"O what abundance of good might ministers do, if they would but live in contempt of the world, and the riches and glory thereof, and expend all they have in their Master’s service, and pinch their flesh, that they may have wherewith to do good! This would unlock more hearts to the reception of their doctrine, than all their oratory; and, without this, singularity in religion will seem but hypocrisy; and it is likely that it is so. 'He who practises disinterestedness prays to the Lord; he who snatches a man from peril offers a rich sacrifice; these are our sacrifices; these are holy to God. Thus he who is more devout among us is he who is more self-effacing,' saith Minucius Felix. Though we need not do as the papists, who betake themselves to monasteries, and cast away property, yet we must have nothing but what we have for God."--Richard Baxter, from The Reformed Pastor.

Weak preachers are God's Judgment

Sometimes I forget things. Like the fact that when a snake in the pulpit rises to fame and prominence, the people who follow that man (or woman) are not "victims." They are merely reaping what they have been seeking. They do not want the truth, they want the Mercedes. And so, God says, "Fine--you won't get either one!" And He sends a Joel Osteen or a Paula White or a Benny Hinn or some other serpent to fill a pulpit and give those people over to the one they are really serving.

Here, Paul Washer, speaking truth, shows us why people like Creflo and Kenny and Jesse and Junie-B are truly God's Judgment upon a lost and wicked people.

Without Walls may be about to live up to that name

But, at least not for a little while.

From I'm Speaking Truth:

Without Walls International Church escaped the specter of foreclosure after its lender agreed to drop demands for control of its books, tapes and other intellectual property, Pastor Randy White said today.

White, the church’s founder, told his congregation during this morning’s service that the California-based Evangelical Christian Credit Union had agreed to a modified loan agreement Wednesday that took the church out of foreclosure. The church defaulted on a $1 million loan due in August, prompting the credit union to begin foreclosure proceedings in November.

The foreclosure proceedings included another $24.5 million in loans for the Tampa ministry, headquartered at 2511 N. Grady Ave., and its Lakeland branch.
“That’s a miracle in today’s economy,” White said.

Without Shame Walls defaulted? Aren't they good stewards of "God's money"? How can they tell people what to do with their money if they can't properly handle what is supposed to be "God's money?" How can these God-robbers demand that others "not rob God?"

Well, actually they're not stewards of ANYTHING that belongs to the God of Heaven. Not to say they don't enjoy the goods provided by the god of this world...

IST goes on to say:

No, pimp Randy, what’s “miraculous” is that you and your deviant ilk still purport that God is throwing riches from the sky to those who faithfully pay their tithes, love offerings, and first fruit extortion payments. All the while your followers are penny-less - and you and your fellow pimps can barely manage your own finances with your “house of cards” Ponzi schemes.

And if you think that pimp Randy has learned his lesson, then think again:

The church has outgrown its Tampa location, which is still for sale, and would like to build a facility that’s free of debt, White said.

Without Walls has tried for about a year to sell its Tampa property, housed in a former Canada Dry headquarters, and its campus in Lakeland, the former 10,000-seat Carpenters Home Church.

Yup - this hireling (gloating over his “loan modification” and having just escaped a foreclosure because of non-payment of the church’s mortgage) is already planning his next Ponzi scheme: another building campaign. I’ve said it a thousand times - these vipers DO NOT believe the crap that they spew, they RELY SOLELY ON THE SHEEP IN ORDER FOR THEIR MONEY GRABS TO WORK. If they believed 1/10 of their prosperity lies, then they would simply “activate their faith” and “speak abundance” over themselves.

Instead, they speak intimidation over YOU and demand YOUR money so they THEY can drive THEIR new cars and live in THEIR new homes.

See, that's the thing. All these pulpit pimps that go around spewing their abominable filth about how "Gawd has blessed me..." The only reason they have that money is because they have found a way to pry the last cent out of the pockets of gullible souls who believe this trash. And believe me when I say, there are some words I am sore tempted to use right now to describe these frauds, but praise God the Holy Spirit is restraining my tongue.

But do not be deceived. When it comes to the likes of the Whites, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, et al--lest they repent, they shall suffer a judgment from God sorer than what many sinners will receive.

Jeremiah 23:1-4--"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says YHVH..."You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says YHVH...I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says YHVH.

What's in a name? Just ask Creflo DOLLAR

Skimming through the blogosphere, I ran across this article by PJ Miller at Sola Dei Gloria. Not content to let Todd Bentley be the only one commanding angels, Creflo has decided to ratchet up his heretical pattern of demanding that God do what Creflo commands Him to do:

Angel Power Confession

Because I am the righteousness of God, angels have been sent to minister to me. They respond to the Word of God which I speak. Therefore, I loose angels with the words of my mouth. I say today, let the Lord be magnified who takes pleasure in my prosperity. In the name of Jesus, I command the angels to bring to me prosperity in my spirit, in my home, in my body, in my family life, and in my finances.

I declare promotion and command the angels to bring promotion into my life. I have a blood-bought covenant promise from God Almighty to multiply exceedingly. Therefore, I confess I am exceedingly fruitful and blessed, right now, in Jesus’ name! I command the angels of God to go and bring this covenant to pass in my life now! I have the power to get wealth, and release the angels to bring wealth into my life.

I declare right now that I am healthy, healed, delivered, and freed from the bondage of sin. I am the head always, and never the tail. I am above only, and never beneath. I lend, not borrow, and everything I put my hands to prospers.

I walk in the favor of God and my favor is increased even as I am speaking. I have more than enough money to pay every bill that comes in, and I declare I am totally debt-free now! I have the authority of Heaven and in the name of Jesus, I declare that whatever I bind on the Earth, is bound in Heaven, and whatever I loose on the Earth, is loosed in Heaven.(source)

I don't even know where to begin with this nonsense. The angels are NOT at our command. We can no more command angels than we can command God. We are never promised health or wealth. I wonder why it is that all these heretics who love to go around spouting about how Abraham was rich, David was rich, Solomon was rich--but they never once talk about how the apostles, after they started spreading the gospel, were never rich. They lost everything. All of them--save John--were martyred in some of the most gruesome ways possible. We could spend all day talking about how the apostle Paul's life wasn't always sunshine and puppies after he started preaching the gospel. But these robbers and thieves won't tell you these things. They'll just cherry-pick a few verses, twist them in the most abominable ways, and abscond with your cash.

As they command angels. Hogwash.

Bezel333 PWNS "Pastor" Paula

The ever-vigilant Bezel333 has posted a video on YouTube where he single-handedly slices, dices, and juliennes the heretical screechings of "Pastor" Paula White while she tells us to beat up our neighbor and confess that our "Palm Sunday Praise is about to pay offff-fuh!!"

Now, it may be quite uncomfortable to sit through "Pastor" Paula's ridiculous charade, but the clear teaching that Bezel shares will make up for it. The video is about 10:00 long.

How does pimping the pulpit affect the pimps' children?

If you wonder why people like me get so disgusted with pulpit pimps like Ken Copeland, Benny Hinn, Creflo "Worshippin' the Almighty Dollar" and the rest of them, I found a video over at Pulpit Pimps that will give you a good idea of why. Or, you can follow the link below to watch the video of a Cleveland, OH area pimp whose daughter's 16th birthday party was featured on MTV. Yes, MTV.

Watch and be disgusted.

More bad news for Oral Roberts University

Two of its biggest names have resigned as regents. Benny Hinn, president of the School of Lying Signs and Satanic Wonders (motto: "How to rip people off for fun and profit") and I.V. Hilliard (motto: "I gave Juanita Bynum $30,000 to pay off her back taxes and all I got was this lousy t-shirt") have distanced themselves from the university named after one of the most successful shysters in the business of separating people from their money--the one who "mentored" renowned heretic Carlton "I don't want to believe there's a Hell and you can't make me!" Pearson (from Associated Press):

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Two televangelists have resigned their posts as regents at Oral Roberts University, as the debt-ridden school tries to regroup following a spending scandal involving its former president. The university on Thursday also settled with one of three professors who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the school.

Benny Hinn and I.V. Hilliard resigned as regents, where they were involved in making major school decisions, university spokesman Jeremy Burton said Thursday. Burton declined to say why the two resigned, but said both wrote the board to express their support for the school's mission.

The resignations come a month after the resignations from the board of regents of two other televangelists, Jesse Duplantis and Creflo [worshippin' the Almighty Dollar].

Hinn and Dollar are among six televangelists being investigated by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley to determine if the high-profile preachers violated their organizations' tax-exempt status by living lavishly on the backs of small donors. They have denied wrongdoing.

A phone message left after-hours Thursday at Hilliard's ministry, The New Light Christian Center, was not immediately returned. Ronn Torossian, a spokesman for Hinn, did not immediately respond to an e-mail message sent after-hours Thursday seeking comment.

The resignations follow that of Richard Roberts, who stepped down as university president in November amid allegations he misspent school funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle. Roberts, the son of school founder Oral Roberts, held the position at the 5,700-student school since 1993.

Former regent Harry McNevin, who resigned 20 years ago over what he says was excessive spending by Oral and Richard Roberts, said Thursday's resignations couldn't have come soon enough.

"The whole board needs to go," McNevin said. "I see (the university) as a corporation belonging to the Robertses."

Now if only these two would quit their jobs as professional con men.

We have a "Christian" television station here, part of the "Christian" Television Network (CTN). They have the Hinnster on in the morning, and Richard "I can fleece people just like my dear old daddy" Roberts' "Hour of Healing" at night. Maybe now this station will grow a brain and stop having these charlatans on their network. Maybe now people will realize that these people are not true ministers of the gospel of grace. Perhaps now people will realize they've been lied to, cheated, swindled, embezzled...

Or not.

More on Senator's investigation of pulpit pumps

Independent Conservative has put up two videos (at YouTube) of news stories about Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) investigating the (mis)use of donor moneys to several of the largest prosperity "gospel" churches, as well as Richard Roberts (Oral's son, and president of ORU).

The first is from WFLA (Tampa), and deals with Randy and Paula White, and their Without Shame Walls International money-making scheme Ministry (about 4 min.):




The second is the full interview between Grassley and WFLA's Jeff Patterson (7:40)




OK, so here's the question: Should the government be allowed to force an organization that calls themselves a "ministry" to open their books? Should the government be allowed to say what is and what isn't necessary to operate one of these "ministries." Yes, if:

• The "ministry" wants to retain a tax-exempt status with the IRS. (In other words, if they want to avoid paying taxes in order to enrich themselves. You know, that whole "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's" thing.)
• There is concern among the members that the money they are giving for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ (which is the purpose of a true ministry) is instead being used to increase the material comfort of the "pastor" above that which should be considered "reasonable."
• The "pastor" lets it be known that he don't cotton too well to people trying to make him abide by the laws of the land.
• The "pastor" has installed a board of directors filled with relatives and cronies and yes-men to surround himself in a cloak of secrecy.
• The "minister" spends more time talking about why you should give them your money than they do preaching the gospel.
• The "pastor" answers "Yes" to the age-old question: "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex on His Television Show?"
• The "pastor" is encouraging people to store up massive credit-card debt so they can send him their "seed-faith offering."
• The "ministry" continually gets a transparency rating of "F" from MinistryWatch. Like this guy did. And this one. And him.

We have to remember something here: This is not about the government telling the church what they can and can't teach. Well, at least not yet. This is about these organizations abiding by the laws they agreed to follow when they applied for tax-exempt status. If they want to retain that status, then they should comply with the laws. (See 1st Peter 2:11-17.) Otherwise, they take off the mask, admit they are a business and not a church, and start paying their taxes.

Senate to investigate pimps

In a long-overdue move, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee is calling "Bull!" on several pulpit pimps who serve on the board of Oral Roberts University. From FOXNews:

Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he's investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers.

Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.

In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.

"The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said.

"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

Who is under investigation? Several of the top preachers of the prosperity "gospel."

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about the transfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to the group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry's 40th anniversary.

Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley's letter asks for records on private planes, board makeup, compensation and donations and "love offerings" to visiting ministers. In a statement, Dollar called his ministry an "open book" and said he would cooperate. He also questioned whether the investigation could "affect the privacy of every community church in America."

Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and "layover trips" while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.

Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estate transaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization. Long plans to fully comply with the Senate's request, and his church has "several safeguards" to ensure transactions comply with laws governing churches, according to a statement from Long's spokesman.

Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 "commode with marble top."

Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas, Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery and the reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist. An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Jakes was not immediately returned.

Ya know, it was just a matter of time. God is "slow to anger, slow to wrath" (Psalm 103:8), but the US Government is a whole different story.

I know there will be some who will say that this opens the door for the government to swoop down and force every church to open its books. That is not what is going on here. This is a case where it is obvious that these pimps are robbing people under the guise of (and appropriating the title of) "mimistry". These people DO NOT RUN MINISTRIES! These people are running rackets! They are running get-rich-quick schemes. (Of course, the only ones getting rich are the pimps!)

These people are pimps, they are charlatans, they have no knowledge of anything biblical, and they trick people--usually the most desperate and the most gullible--out of their money, and leave those they fleece high and dry. But someone--finally--is calling them on it.

And if these pimps think the weight of the United States Government is a heavy load, wait until they stand before God and are forced to account for why they blasphemed His name, and took advantage of His Christ. And they have. After all, Jesus said in Matthew chapter 25, that whatever you do to "the least of these," you have done to Him.

Sevierville Church shames Christians

Just found this over at A Little Leaven. It's about a sermon series at The Gathering church in Sevierville. The subject? "Red Hot Sex!" No, that's not a typo. I ain't taking anything out of context. This is the story of a "church" whose "pastor" has decided that hey, maybe I should send 50,000 fliers to area homes--many of which have children--to stir up the pot or, how does he say, "Push the envelope."

Ya know, it would be one thing if they did this on a weeknight, for adults, a class on improving a MARRIED couple's love life. But to preach this stuff, from the pulpit, is past being way out of line. But, that's what you get when the church tries to look like the world. And what did the apostle John say about that? And what did Paul say about "peddling" the Word of God? Here's the video:

More from the sick, twisted Paula White

(Image hat tip: Spiritual Pathways Ministries Library)

That's right, folks!! Even though Christ did away with the curse of the Law, we are still supposed to keep it. And don't forget to send in your "Atonement Offering!!" From Paula White Ministries.

As Christians, we are called to follow the New Covenant of Christ -- but as Christ himself honored the laws and covenants of his forefathers, as modern-day children of God we should also remember and honor God’s biblically established laws, covenants, and decrees. [Even though it tells us in James 1:10--"...whoever will keep the whole law, and stumble in one part, he is guilty of all."--Ed.]

[...]

As Christians, we are encouraged to observe the Day of Atonement also in remembrance of Christ [I guess this is found in the book of......--Ed.] – our own High Priest, who became the ultimate “sin offering” for us – guaranteeing our eternal “atonement” and salvation. Observance of the Day of Atonement might include prayer and fasting, sacrificial offerings, and studying God’s Word.

Hat Tip: A Little Leaven)

So, if we send in an "Atonement Offering" to appease the wrath of God (because Christ's blood just wasn't enough), we get even more crap from this heretic. Basically, what she's saying is, "Honor the Day of Atonement by sending me money!!"

Now, if you've read this blog, you know how often I rail against the so-called "prosperity" preachers. Most of them claim that what Christ did on the Cross--taking our sins upon His shoulders, and BY THIS ACT taking upon Himself the wrath of God for our sins--wasn't enough. He had to go into Hell, and suffer torture from demons for three days. And--according to Kenneth Copeland--Jesus had to be "born again".

Well, along comes Paula White. She and her husband Randy have (unsuccessfully) attempted to expand THEIR kingdom here on earth at the cost of (a) their marriage, and (b) bringing shame to the name of Christ. Well, she has done gone and ripped the Gospels out of her Bible, and spit in the face of Christ. Now, she says we need to go back to keeping the law of Moses. And by doing so, she has officially moved from the ranks of merely being a "heretic", to being a full-blown blasphemer.

Hey, hey Paula! I got an idea for ya. I'm sealing my Bible in an envelope, putting it in the mailbox, and sending it to you. Because appreantly, you don't have one. Or maybe you do, and you just haven't ever bothered to read it. Because if you did--well, not only would you find that as a woman, you are not allowed to be a pastor at your church (see here and here)--but you would also find the Bible says--

• Colossians 1:19-20--For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.


• Galatians 3:3, 10-13--Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?...For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)


• Hebrews 9--Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary...Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance...It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience...But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ...cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance...
  

But the passage that condemns Paula White as a blasphemer is Hebrews 10:28-29

Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

She has indeed trampled the Son underfoot, and counted His Cross as what, something He felt like doing because He didn't have anything better to do? Christ came to do away with the Law. His Cross IS our atonement where He made propitiation for our sins, reconciled us to God, took our sins upon Himself, and imputed His righteousness to our account. Paula White, by trying to weasel some "Atonement Offering" out of her deceived followers, is the true "God-robber", and blasphemer.

Why do we call them "pulpit pimps"?

Because they feed off of the people they treat like their own little slave. Here's a good example from someone who told the story of the church they went to. From Pulpit Pimps:

And two years later–we left and went right back to the lil church on the corner! Here’s why:

• John Avanzini (spelling?) was invited in with his family to teach us about money stuff–after he preached, the entire church had to fill out empty tithe envelopes, march around the church and drop’em in a loot bucket as a “declaration” that we would start tithing..Then we were invited back that night for a debt burning service. Did ya’ll know that even if you burn your bill–it’s still valid?


• Our (former) pastor showed us a mid-service Power Point slide show of how much the church needed to build a church in a local prison from engineer write ups to foundational stuff. Good idea, isn’t it? A few weeks later, some dude announced that “we” just gave our beloved Pastor a $35,000 Golf and Country Club membership–since he loooves golf! And…the money needed for the prison’s church to get off the ground was less than his golf membership! “We” also gave first lady a Gucci watch (Pastoral Anniversary). Emphasis on the word “we”…


• The pastor keeps a 5-deep security team flanked around him at all times–but if he’s such a man of faith–what’s up with the gun-toting security team?


• He bragged several times about his used Rolex watches he bought on discount, his FIVE new cars and the fact that his new house appraised for $3 Million in an exclusive part of our southern town!This vital information was relayed during a Sunday morning sermon!


• His kids drive beamers and Escalades–and they all have “jobs” at the church


• The congregation is not permitted to see any financial info concerning the church in detail. I did receive a generic breakdown of some funds used for missions and local charity work


• Asked for prayer and was told by one of the preachers that this sickness was a curse on me that needed to be broken


• The congregation was often promted to chant this phrase “I’m on my way to my wealthy place and I will never be broke another day in my life.” Not kidding.
  Many of the members rode busses to church and lived on the rough side of town–no doubt they were committed tithers


• Members are told if you have a family emergency and need help from the church–don’t get offended when your tithe record is checked!Not kidding.


• There’s a church club called the “Million Dollar Club”-kid you not!


• Was told that if I continued to “speak” to my body–it would get healed and line up with the Word–and when I went for prayer–I was asked if I had purchased first ladies confession CD yet!!!

If you've ever wondered why I am constantly railing about the hucksters in the TBN crowd (Kenny, Benny, Creflo, etc.) this is why. Because of their heresies, they have influenced others to practice this nonsense and scare their people into dumping their life savings into this pimp's personal bank account so they can live the good life while the people go broke. These hucksters sell people a bunch of crap, and lead them down a path that ruins them not only financially but spiritually as well.

Pulpit pimpery in Baltimore (Updated)

Question: If your church is looking at foreclosure on their building because of a $12,000 water bill, what would be the best course of action? In my opinion, the church should get the money together to pay their bills and keep their building. Not so among the "churches" that are pastored by pimps. Take First Mount Olive Free Will Baptist Church in Baltimore.

Long story short, they lost their building in a fire. But, at light of day, some issues surfaced that SHOULD cause true Christians to wonder whether this church was seeking to be an example of the true Christ, or if they were just concerned with keeping up appearances. You see, that $12,000 water bill? They couldn't pay it because they were short on fundraising they had just...bought their pastor a Bentley. A $150,000 BENTLEY!! No, I'm not kidding. Thank you, prosperity gospel!! Independent Conservative says:

Well how were they going to help the poor while rolling in all their created debt? This is why churches need to carefully consider when they desire to own things. And this church learned the hard way, that you probably don’t want a building with a big steeple that might catch a bolt of lightening. The church should go modest on the buildings if owning any at all, so funds can be devoted to the needs of the poor. You know, those people Jesus told us to help in Matthew 25:31-46. The apostles always ensured poor saints were cared for first and foremost via the church donations, 2 Corinthians 9, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, James 2:14-17. Many a pastor loves to proclaim “God loves a cheerful giver”, only they don’t mention that Paul was writing in that passage of scripture about money being collected to be given to poor saints, not money collected for a building or the pastors Bently. The apostles did not ride fancy chariots, they were often broke and homeless.

1 Corinthians 4:11 (New King James Version)
11) To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

They forsook themselves for the care of the saints. They realized helping the poor is what Christ desired, not helping build their own wealth. Today, many ignore the example of the apostles and wish to live like King Solomon. With pastors that have followers who can’t properly discern old from new covenant, they keep collecting and building their religious industry empires, while their members literally cheer them on.

Now, since Jesus and His followers rolled through Galilee in a Hummer, wore designer clothes, and lived in mansions, we should follow His example! This is just one example of the poison that is the "prosperity gospel". It diverts money from those who truly need it to those who want to use it simply so they can live a comfortable lifestyle. To them I say, "Anathema!!"

UPDATE: Independent Conservative has a post about the pastor, Oscar E. Brown, who apologizes profusely for the way in which the church's funds were so badly mismanaged, and if he has to, he'll give back the Bentley, repent on live TV nationwide, and resign his pulpit.

Nah, just kidding. Brown doesn't think he did anything wrong.

So, Melvin, tell us what you really think!

Melvin Jones, the man who operates the website pulpit-pimps.org, posted a well-researched treatise on those who go around saying that if you'll "sow a thousand-dollar seed" to their ministry, which is struggling--struggling!!--to afford that new $20,000,000 Citation X-20, that GOD will bless you with a $100,000 windfall. These people are, without a doubt, pimps. Or, as Melvin tells us...

Okay, here’s the thing. Some of you in the audience say I’m not loving. And I should be loving because God is love. I shouldn’t be judgmental of these people who preach a false doctrine. I should love them and pray for them.

And since I consider myself to be a man who at least tries to obey the Bible, I have decided to emulate God and say the same things He says. Since God is love, and God is perfect, then He only says loving things. So if I say the same things that God says, then I’m loving too. Right?

Okay, let’s run with that for right now.

Here are some of the same things God says about false teachers:
• They are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15-16)
• They are practicers of lawlessness (Matthew 7:22-23)
• They are hypocrites ( Matt 15:7-9)
• They are thieves (John 10:1)
• They are slaves of their own appetites (Romans 16:18)
• They are men of flesh (1 Cor 3:1-4)
• They are peddlers of the word of Christ(2 Cor 2:17)
• They are accursed (Galatians 1:6-8)
• They are tricksters and schemers (Ephesians 4:14)
• They are deluders (Ephesians 4:14)
• They are deceivers (Colossians 2:8)
• They are defrauders (Colossians 2:18-19)
• They are teachers of strange doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3)
• They are blasphemers, and have been handed over to Satan (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
• They are teachers of myth (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
• They are paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
• They are liars (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
• They are conceited and understand nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4)
• They have gone astray (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
• They are evil men, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13)
• They are empty talkers, after sordid gain (Titus 1:10-11)
• They turn away from the truth (Titus 1:13-14)
• They are false prophets, false teachers, greedy exploiters (2 Peter 2:1-4)
• They are stains and blemishes, greedy, loving of wages of unrighteuosness (2 Peter 2:13-15)
• They are slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19-20)
• They are ungodly (Jude 4)
• They are rebellious people (Isaiah 30:9)

So I guess if I am going to emulate God, I should call the people who promote a different gospel wolfish, hypocritical practitioners of lawlessness who are enslaved to their own appetites, while being men of flesh and peddlers of the word, who by the way are accursed and deluding and deceiving, while teaching myths and paying attention to deceiving spirits, while at the same time being empty talkers and being greedy exploiters while being blemishes and stains, and being ungodly.

Hmmm. You know, I don’t really feel like typing this phrase every time I refer to the pimping inhabitants of the pulpit. I’ll just keep calling them pimps and pimpettes. It’s a lot more succinct.

Now, now, don't be shy, let it all out.

Actually, he's calling these people what they are. They are heretics (at the very least), and blasphemers (at their worst). They claim that they know some secret chant, some long-hidden promise that GOD made to ONE man ONE time, (can you say, "Jabez"?) and they know how to take that and throw it in GOD's face, and twist His arm until He cries "Uncle!" and gives them whatever toy they're screaming for. There is a word in the Greek, astokeo." It means... WRONG!!!!!

Words of wisdom, from Jesse Duplantis

Think Jesse is ah-NOIN-ted? Well, he's got a spirit alright. Whether it's the Holy Spirit or not...

Check out these quotes I found at Forgotten Word:

"I've never had the Lord say, 'Jesse, I think that car is a little bit too nice.' I've had vehicles and the Lord said, 'Would you please go park that at your house. Don't put that in front of my house. I don't want people to think that I'm a poor God.'" (Jesse Duplantis, "When Will We Yield To The Anointing of Wealth II," April 10, 2005)

Jesse Duplantis: "People told me, 'Well, they say, Jesus was poor.' When was He poor? I would like to know when He was poor. [Uh, Jesse. Look at Matthew 8:20--"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."] Well, He was born in a stable. Why? Why was He born in a stable? Because that short, deaf lady lost their reservation. [I guess we can find that in the Book of...] He couldn't get into the inn. Think about that for a minute...And He had 12 full time people on His staff. [And did He pay them? No.] Some were married and He took care of them. [???] He had 70 part timers. You don't gamble for rags Marcus."
Marcus Lamb: "Yeah."
Jesse Duplantis: "You don't gamble for rags. You gamble for some clothes that cost. Don't you? He wanted a donkey that had never been rode. As I said earlier, 'You might want a car that has never been drove.'
Marcus Lamb: "He had a full time treasurer on staff."
Jesse Duplantis: "That's right! And stole for three years and the other guys didn't know about it."
Joni Lamb: "And wise men came to see Him."
Jesse Duplantis: "That's right! I mean He wasn't three minutes on the ground and the three wise guys are looking for Him with what? Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Let me tell you something, this concept that Jesus was in poverty is totally wrong!" (Jesse Duplantis, Marcus Lamb, and Joni Lamb, Daystar Fall, "Share-A-Thon," September 15, 2004)

"If I give $1,000 dollars I deserve to get back $100,000 because I am just, that's not greed!" (Jesse Duplantis, December 19, 2003 TBN, "The just shall live by faith.")

"When I began to feel weak, the angel walked over to one of those trees, picked some of its fruit and brought it back to me. . .The angel said to me, "Eat this fruit so you will be able to withstand the glory of God." (Jesse Duplantis, from a revival in Arkansas, 1988.) [Uhhh, fruit in heaven?? Because we get weak? HUH?]

"I felt weaker and weaker as we approached the Throne room. It looked to me like millions of people were there. . .When the light from the Throne hit me I couldn’t stand up; I fell down, and the angel gave me more of the fruit. . .I look up from the floor in the direction of the overwhelming Light, and I saw Him! I saw Elohim, Jehovah God, Yahweh sitting on the Throne! But I saw His feet - only His feet. . . He is so big - you can’t describe Him in a dimension. His hand is huge! His body, the form of it, is sort of like energy, spirit. [Uhhh...if he could only see GOD's feet, how could he describe His hands and body???] There’s a wall around the Throne, but the Throne is higher than the wall - that’s why you can see the Throne from every direction, from a distance. And that power, that energy-like smoke of God, covers all around the chair of the Throne itself." (ibid.)

Hooo-weee! That's some rev-uh-lay-uh-shun they-uh Brutha Jess-eh!

The Prosperity Hymn

Sung to the tune of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus", and sung weekly by the chiors behind Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Marylin Hickey, and $$Creflo$$ $$Dollarsign$$. (Original lyrics and melody here.)

O soul are you weary and troubled?
An old car in the driveway you see?
There is hope for you driving a Jaguar,
And cash more abundant for thee!

Turn your eyes upon riches.
Confess they now belong to thee.
Then the things of Heav'n will grow strangely dim
In the light of your big-screen TV.

Find yourself having wealth overflowing
If you sow a thous'nd dollar seed;
Claim this promise that He made to Israel,
Get all the toys you think you need!

Turn your eyes upon riches.
Confess they now belong to thee.
Then the things of Heav'n will grow strangely dim
In the light of your big-screen TV.

If you claim all these verses He promised;
He'll pour cash from His heav'nly vault.
So if you are not healthy and wealthy,
Then your faithlessness must be at fault!

Turn your eyes upon riches.
Confess they now belong to thee.
Then the things of Heav'n will grow strangely dim
In the light of your big-screen TV.

The Narrow Way

This video contrasts the truth of Jesus with the "gospel" preached by many pulpit pimps today (via pulpit-pimps.org)

The next new link is...

for a site I found via Independent Conservative. The name of the site is Pulpit Pimps. The goal of the site's owner is to expose the lying, hypocritical, mushiness found in many pulpits these days. Especially grievous are the likes of TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplicitous Duplantis, "Bishop" Weeks, Juanita Bynum, Creflo Dollar, Hinn, Murdock, Crouch/Crouch, etc. So check it out before you waste another minute watching these heretics. Oops, I forgot. "Touch not mine anointed!!"

Here's the linky: pulpitpimps.org

UPDATE: Oops. In the URL address, I forgot the hyphen between 'pulpit' and 'pimps'. It's actually www.pulpit-pimps.org

Sorry:(

Health, wealth, hypocrisy

Checking out Independent Conservative this morning, and I came across a post he put up about these TV preachers like Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Jesse Duplantis, and Mike Murdoch. I find myself quite often railing against these people. Why? Because not only are they fleecing people who are hurting, but because they twist the Word of GOD to fit their own twisted theology. And most of all, as Independent Conservative says,

The false teachers have become so pathetic, that every late night comic can play their footage for laughs. Of course an unbeliever seeing it is not going to distinguish them (pimps) from us (true believers) who abhor such abuse of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Which is why it is important that we speak against false teaching. So that it is known that such nonsense on supposedly Christian TV is not the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So the unbeliever that might find Christ does so in Spirit and in Truth. Also for the good of those still lost in false teaching.

To see the name of GOD mocked is truly sad. And the reason it is mocked is because of these charlatans that promise "Health, wealth and prosperity" if you follow Jesus. Or they say something like

"How can you glorify God in your body, when it doesn't function right?....What makes you think the Holy Ghost wants to live inside of a body where He can't see out through the windows, and He can't hear out the ears?" (Fred Price, "Is God Glorified Through Sickness?" tape # FP605)

Well, I got news for Fred, Creflo, Jan and Paul, etc. They might ought to read 2nd Timothy 3:12. Following Christ does NOT guarantee us a problem-free life. Unles one thinks that the faith of men like Paul (beheaded), Peter (crucified upside down) or James (Thrown off of a roof) was strong enough. Besides, the founder of the Word-of-Faith movement, Ken Hagin is DEAD. What does that say about HIS faith?

But, alas, they will most likely not heed the words of the apostle Peter:

2nd Peter 2:3-- By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

These men are bringing ridicule upon the name of GOD. But, as Jesus said, they have their reward.

Touching the (not-so) anointed

"That's right, folks!! Benny Hinn will be here next week to heal your (fill in your favorite malady)!! Now, GOD really wants to heal you, but He won't, unless you show up at the coliseum this Friday night! Oh, and make sure you bring your checkbook, because you know what they say about a gullible cheerful giver!!"

Just got done watching John Stossel rip Rod Parsley, Kenneth Copeland, and the whole TBN crowd a new one on "20/20". I can just hear their followers now. "Touch not mine anointed!!! Touch not mine anointed!!!" You know, it really is sad, that these charlatans have so many people bamboozled into thinking they are humble servants of GOD. (Actually, Paul Crouch doesn't make any pretense about being humble.) And ya know, it's so frustrating. On the one hand, I don't want to sound like I'm saying these preachers don't love the Lord (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, I can't look at these people and not think "Phony!!"

There's another new link, and it's called Ministry Watch. The guy that runs it walked away from a 7-figure income to start this ministry. These people really are fleecing their flocks. They tell these people that if they send them their last penny, that GOD will just open up His heavenly cash vault, and the material wealth will come pouring down like "latter rain." There's a word, in the original Greek, that defines this line of thought. The word is..."BULL!!" These hucksters that go around saying that if you're sick, that it's because you don't have enough faith. And that if you're poor, you're not saved. So, if you die, then what does that mean?