Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Miracles Are Not Guaranteed, Credit Cards Accepted

So, as I stayed home on Sunday morning in my recovery, I found myself watching a shady televangelist on the one channel that comes in clearest on my TV. It's hard for me to grasp that people like this still appear on air. The whole setup was comical. I think everyone in the large choir was under the age of 30 and had flawless skin. You could see a few gray hairs in the audience, but only the back of their heads. The speaker was talking about prosperity theology of course. That "there is nothing more beautiful in the world than a $100 bill" and that you have to give expecting a return. He held a Bible pretty much the whole time, but I don't really recall him using it. He was a very harsh, unpleasant person.

At the end of the message, he pitched his new book on leadership, which profiled Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Donald Trump and others. The final close came with an appeal for donations of $1,0o0. He asked everyone to get out their checkbook and hold it up so he could pray over them. Then, a disclaimer came on the screen in medium sized font: "Miracles are the works of God. They are not guaranteed." Just below that in much larger font was the message: "Credit Cards Accepted" and their phone number.

Sir, I would rather flip to the other fuzzy channel on my TV and buy the colon cleansing product being advertised than send one dime to you.

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - 1 Timothy 6:1-10

2 comments:

Quebecca said...

Steve, what do you think about how many churches now have an automatic withdrawal option from your bank account?

Steve Lamp said...

I don't have a problem with that at all. In fact, I wish Brandywine offered that option and have been urging for it. I usually only write two checks per month and would sign up for automatic withdrawal in a heartbeat if it was available.

First, I think most churches do this primarily as a convenience for their congregants/donors and not as a way to get more money out of people. And secondly, I can tell you that it can be helpful to an organization when their cashflows are more even. And often, when someone does forget to give one month, they typically do not double their gift the next month to make up for it, even if that was their previous intention. I think it's a win-win all around as it helps people become more disciplined in their giving and it helps churches or any institution plan their cashflows more expediently.