'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny (tv evangelists)

AP ^ | December 27, 2007 | ERIC GORSKI

[SoothingDave]

If you think the point of the book of Job is that those with the most faith get the most stuff, you might want to read it again.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

And some of you wonder why the “Religious Right” is a thorn in the side of the Republican Party. The same morons that give all their money away to TV evangelists are the same ones voting for Huckabee.

[woofer]

I went to Meyers' site. I guess she has stopped buying and wearing the diamonds and fur coats to the office, for now.

Used to be a big joke at the small business complex where her offices used to be and my employer's office was. I always like the way she'd try and get the UPS driver fired for commenting on her jewelry and fur coats.

Yes I worked out the Fenton, MO Biltmore Business Park. Joyce built a HUGE Office and Television Studio to the south of it. Not bad for the 15 minute "prayer videos" she was hustling in the nineties.

[woollyone]

Well, who then CAN be saved?

[stuartcr]

‘At first she believed the explanation given on television: Her faith wasn’t strong enough.’...this is a well-used catch-all for when things don’t go as advertised. Certainly can’t dispute it, how would anyone know, unless everything goes as desired.

[Sgt_Schultze]

If only Congress would take a similar critical eye to the world’s largest religious scam - environmentalism. Tens of millions of lives have been saacrificed to malaria in response to their required banning of DDT alone. Countless millions of others will lose their lives into the future as they are denied the benefit of modern hygiene because a claque of enightened overseers forbids them from developing industry and creating profitable jobs.

[SoldierMedic]

Everybody can be saved, but it seems to be quite misleading to say that God wants you to be rich with Earthly goods, and even more misleading to say that claim is based on scripture.

[Veto!]

Is Joel Olsteen on this list? He’s a wind-up little cyborg of a man who seems less than human. Pastor Plastic, and I’m sure he takes plenty of plastic into his enormous coffers.

As someone on another site mentioned, Christianity looks like it’s become nothing but the money lenders in the temple.

[stuartcr]

What’s the cut-off amount for being a rich man and getting into heaven?

[joebuck]

"Which is why it is so important to be "in the Word", so that when others would try to twist God's word for selfish reasons you would know The Truth."

Well said. Anyone who has read the Gospels under the influence of the Spirit would instinctively recognize the fraud of the prosperity gospel. Jesus' discourse on "treasure in Heaven" addresses this directly. In fact, pursuing the spiritual over the material is a central element of virtually everything Christ ever preached. This leads me to believe those who pursue the prosperity gospel just what their ears scratched not their souls lifted.

[rep-always]

Amen to your post.

[SoothingDave]

If you keep reading the passage, it states that nothing is impossible for God. The point being that it is faith in God and not material riches that saves one. And that the more material attachment to the world one has, the more difficult it may be to decide between them and God.

One can be wealthy and "saved" but one has a much greater responsibility to be a good steward of the blessings one receives. And riches can be a trap to the spiritual wellbeing of a person or family.

[rep-always]

Amen to your post also. This is why the Lord says his people perish for lack of knowledge. Know the Bible and God’s teachings and you will not be so gullible and will be able to discern the truth.

[1Old Pro]

Religion has always had the “wealth” component, along with these riches comes power.

The old Roman Church had power because of money, same thing for the various churches of today. The aacATHOLIC cHURCH OF bOSTON PAID TENS OF MILLIONS NEARING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN CHILD ABUSE CASES, COUNTRYWIDE IT’S IN THE billions.

I say give enought to keep the lights on and give the pastor a comfortable life, anything more is excessive.

What ever happened to vows of poverty???

[woollyone]

ya missed the wide open invitation!
...what is impossible with man is possible with God.

As an aside...I think that God has a special Bible study prepared for those who have deceived His children.

Better that a millstone be put around their neck...

[Dumpster Baby]

[Manic_Episode]

James 3:1
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

[The peoples DJ]

Jesus He Knows Me
Genesis

You see the face on the TV screen
coming at you every Sunday
see that face on the billboard
that man is me

On the cover of the magazine
there’s no question why I’m smiling
you buy a piece of paradise
you get a piece of me

I’ll get you everything you wanted
I’ll get you everything you need
don’t need to believe in hereafter
just believe in me

Cos Jesus he knows me
and he knows I’m right
I’ve been talking to Jesus all my life
oh yes he knows me
and he knows I’m right
and he’s been telling me
everything is alright

I believe in the family
with my ever loving wife beside me
but she don’t know about my girlfriend
or the man I met last night

Do you believe in God
cos that’s what I’m selling
and if you wanna get to heaven
I’ll see you right

You won’t even have to leave your house
or get out of your chair
you don’t even have to touch that dial
cos I’m everywhere

And Jesus he knows me
and he knows I’m right
I’ve been talking to Jesus all my life
oh yes he knows me
and he knows I’m right
well he’s been telling me
everything’s gonna be alright

Won’t find me practising what I’m preaching
won’t find me making no sacrifice
but I can get you a pocketful of miracles
if you promise to be good, try to be nice
God will take good care of you
just do as I say, don’t do as I do

I’m counting my blessings,
I’ve found true happiness
cos I’m getting richer, day by day
you can find me in the phone book,
just call my toll free number
you can do it anyway you want
just do it right away

There’ll be no doubt in your mind
you’ll believe everything I’m saying
if you wanna get closer to him
get on your knees and start paying

Cos Jesus he knows me
and he knows I’m right
I’ve been talking to Jesus all my life
oh yes he knows me
and he knows I’m right
well he’s been telling me
everything’s gonna be alright, alright

Jesus he knows me
Jesus he knows me, you know...

[RochesterFan]

This is exactly why the apostle Paul warned of those who bring “another gospel” which is no gospel at all, certainly not what Jude described as the “faith once delivered to the saints.” Jude also described these false teachers as brute beasts destined for destruction. The Chief Shepherd has a way of taking care of wolves...

[AppyPappy]

There is no quid pro quo with God. He doesn’t owe us anything. The Prosperity Gospel is an attempt to manipulate God. He will not bless it.