That NEW Adage

A pressure-relief valve about God, and just about everything else.

Where is the Circle’s “New Beginning”?

“Wolf, wolf! Beware!”:

Watch how many televangelists (and local preachers) tell you that “2008 is the Year of New Beginnings!” (I just saw the little English bishop, John Francis, doing it on TBN today…)

As you are tempted to “buy” into it, tingling with anticipation at the thought of the new car, the job, the debt cancellation, the husman, or the miraculous healing, think back to the first few months of the previous years and recall that you’ve heard it alllll before, like Coca-Cola Classic — just the same old product re-packaged for the short-term-memory-deficient among us!

There is nothing new but the suit. The line is the same, and the hook is the same: Exercise your Faith, and open your checkbook. God is just a merchant to them, and you must PAY for your miracles. You must pay THEM! (What is the jet for? To fly up to Heaven with your prayer requests, and to get Personal instructions?!?)

Please hear me, people! The story is the same empty con every year! Stop letting these pimps take you. Jesus and salvation cost you not a dime! HE already paid the price. And not in Hell, either! You can get no miracle that He does not ordain, and you cannot order Him around by “learning these principles,” as they say.

 Christianity is not about “giving to get.” God will take care of you. You don’t have to pay Him. Some of us, through work, or inheritance, will be rich, but the poor will always be among us. Some of us will live sick-free lives, and die old, but all of us will die! And God is STILL perfect, and STILL right, and STILL good.

Understand that this life is an eyelash, and that eternity, though foreign to us, is broader than the distance from here to Jupiter by comparison. Any joy we experience here won’t even move the needle when we see Him and see all He has built for us! The REAL Faith comes in believing Jesus when He tells us not to put our hopes in earthly mammon, but to store up riches in Heaven where the glory is endless! Feed the goose, don’t cut open its belly and snatch out the last egg! Pray to God for that eternal point of view, and live life not in the pursuit of wealth and comfort, but in the hopes of grasping the scroll that says, “Well Done!”

The Christian faith is not about sloganism, numerology, and using the Bible as a chemistry book. And God ain’t the popsicle man! 

If their supply is cut off, maybe they’ll stop the “Quest fa yo Dollar” and get saved and learn the truth!

February 5, 2008 - Posted by maxdaddy | Benny Hinn, Christianity, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, False Teachers, Frederick Price, Joel Osteen, John Francis, Juanita Bynum, Kenneth Copeland, Myles Munroe, Paul Crouch, Paula White, Prosperity Gospel, Pulpit Pimps, Word Network, Word of Faith | | 13 Comments

13 Comments »

  1. It’s pathetic that these so-called preachers use the same sales gimmicks as used car salesmen. The New Year Salvation Sale … get saved for a “love offering” of only half of what it will cost you in a couple weeks. Or you could hold out for the summer sales event.

    Sigh …

    Comment by wickle | February 5, 2008 | Reply

  2. Its so funny, you talked about this. I just posted a blog about pastors giving false hope at http://realchristianity.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/the-marks-of-false-%e2%80%98christian%e2%80%99-teaching-and-teachers-part-9-giving-false-hope/

    Also when you talked about numerlogy, see http://realchristianity.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/the-marks-of-false-%e2%80%98christian%e2%80%99-teaching-and-teachers-part-3-the-abuse-of-biblical-numerolgy/

    Its good to know that not everyone is getting hoodwinked

    Alan

    Comment by Alan Higgins | February 6, 2008 | Reply

  3. [...] Alan Higgins It was only yesterday that I wrote about Pastors giving people false hope and I saw this blog by [...]

    Pingback by Where is the Circle’s “New Beginning”? « Real Christianity | February 6, 2008 | Reply

  4. Amen! So true!

    I just came from Alan’s blog where he mentioned this post of yours. I myself have written my piece against a prosperity preacher in Singapore where I am as well. I absolutely hate the prosperity gospel, and no, I don’t think the word ‘hate’ is too strong a word here.

    Shalom!

    Thanks a lot, Sicarii! I hate that teaching too.

    Comment by Sicarii | February 6, 2008 | Reply

  5. I had a friendship that very nearly ended over that kind of foolishness. As if Jesus died on the cross so I could name it and claim it.

    Comment by treyka | February 6, 2008 | Reply

  6. Great post!

    I saw the little bishop the other day as well….it still amazes me that people give him money.

    I saw our girl precious Paula White three nights ago and she was still promoting her “first fruits scam”….in February!!! Wouldn’t that be fourth or fifth fruits? How can we be blessed if we fail to give her our first fruits (like she claims in January)?

    It all just boggles my mind.

    BTW: Did you see this posting?

    http://phillyflash.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/just-google-it/

    This is the new thing…..I call it spiritual fleecing!

    Phil

    Hey, Phil! Good to hear from you again.
    Paula is a twisted mess of eisogesis! She has so many shows airing from so many different eras — pre-divorce, post-divorce — that it is hard to keep track of which particular lie goes with which particular time!

    Yeah, I saw that post a couple of times.

    Comment by Phil Naessens | February 8, 2008 | Reply

  7. WOW! I’m SO glad you addressed this! I get SO sick and tired of the “numbahs game”. It’s no different from the “hood preachas”, who would give out numbers for the congregation to play in the street lottery.

    “I had a dream! (No, this ain’t MLK’s speech) I saw a house, with three (3) doors, eight (8) windows and two (2) porches! God wants his people to be blessed!”

    The fact that God doesn’t reach down, with the heavenly blow torch, and light it up, is a testimony of His lovingkindness, mercy and goodness. We betta be thankful for Jesus — that’s all I’m gon’ say!

    Comment by anappygirl | February 8, 2008 | Reply

  8. Hi again,

    I posted a comment on Profitess’ site and wanted to tell you that you think a lot like me on several issues, included whether to vote elephant or donkey. Neither party reflects all Christian values, so i could really feel your pain. Anyway, as strange as it sounds, i thought only i thought and felt the way i did about the state of the church and the state of the world. I left my wesbsite this time because i’d appreciate if you took the time to read how an intelligent and highly educated, raised-right, got some common sense person got totally hoodwinked and taken in by an “Evangeliss” to the tune of almost $30,000!

    Thanx! Will do.

    Comment by LK | February 13, 2008 | Reply

  9. hi, sorry what i have is a question. i just got my first professional job and i promised God that i would give my first fruit offering Proverbs3. but i dont know how it is done exatly. do i give all of it or what?

    Comment by busi moyo | February 26, 2008 | Reply

  10. Good sir, I suggest that you use the book of Proverbs for what it is: a guide book for Right living! If the Lord blessed you with a job, He intends for you to use it to meet your needs, as well as the needs of those in the Body.

    He OWNS it all! Treat your income as such. Give where He leads you, but do not put yourself in a position of going into debt or becoming delinquent in the paying of your bills!

    I am willing to guess that some television “Minister” has told you to send a “firstfruits offering” to them. Don’t do that! God has made you a steward of the resources He has given you. Use them wisely!

    Someone is using the Bible, and Proverbs in this case, as a means of coercing unwitting people into sending them money. You will find that most of the time they will use Old Testament passages to do so.

    If you want to give to a local church — or even a REPUTABLE national ministry — do that. But learn to read the Bible correctly and in proper context. God doesn’t give you financial blessings to enrich some preacher!

    May He bless and guide you!
    Derrick.

    Comment by maxdaddy | February 28, 2008 | Reply

  11. Maxdaddy,

    FIrst of all – this is a great blog. You’re doing a great service to the Kingdom by exposing the pulpit pimp. I explored the phenomenon of todays charasmatic pastor on my blog (http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/pulpit-pimpstoo-harsh/) as well as the difficulty that most folks have in getting away from them (http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/why-do-you-stay/).

    As long as we keep shouting God’s Word from the rooftops – and directing people to His Word directly instead of sending them to a “filter” that tries to twist what He really said – then God will get the glory, and the pimps will have less victims.

    Keep working brother…

    Speaking Truth,
    http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com

    Thanks, Tony, for reading!
    Derrick

    Comment by Speaking Truth | February 28, 2008 | Reply

  12. Thanks for an accurate commentary. I see/hear the error in these wolves’ preaching but have a hard time articulatin’ it to my brothers and sisters.

    My peers accuse me of being negative and of bringing in a spirit of criticism (from the devil) when I try to teach them a little bit of discernment about these phony preachers. An email link to this blog may help them.

    Tx and take care

    vayo con Dios

    Comment by passin' thru | July 5, 2008 | Reply

  13. If you had offered your first fruit offerings to God you should do it. Why because he won’t cut your head if you are not giving him, but it is our duty to keep our promise. He had done something you wanted and you offered a gift for him. Then why to wait, just do it friend. You can give whatever you want for him. He won’t complain to you. Even a packet of candle is enough for him, the almighty.

    ————————————————–
    http://www.widecircles.name
    Wide Circles

    Comment by Ronald | July 28, 2008 | Reply


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