If you listen to what this man says and use your stop and rewind button, read your Bible, you'll see it. I hear pastors promising huge financial gains, literal money raining down from the Heavens IF you sow a faith seed of $1000. God will wipe out your credit card debt IF you put that faith seed on that credit card. Wow! Wouldn't that be stealing? Isn't that the very definition of theft? Taking something without paying for it? Would our Holy and Righteous God reward us by allowing us to steal from our debtors? I don't think He would. Mike Murdock is the biggest preacher of this doctrine and if you don't know him, listen to one of his YouTube videos. He brags about his money and has a few million dollars home and his viewers are $1,000 further in debt and maybe they won't be able to pay their rent that month. However, I know my God and I bet He'd find a way to help them keep their home but I'm equally sure they will be chastised for not using discernment.
Another trick they use is promised healing if you sow that faith seed. You don't need Mike Murdock or any other man for God to heal you nor can you buy it. God heals at His will and it's all smoke and mirrors. My sister has been healed of stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. She was given 6-8 months and 2 1/2 years later, she is doing great. If the cancer returns tomorrow, I got a lot more days with her than I would have. Oh, and believe it or not, through prayer, asking Jesus to show David the power of the Holy Spirit that if He was willing, to let my computer turn on. It immediately came on. Then I took it to get it fixed and the tech said that the only logical explanation was divine intervention. The motherboard literally was in shambles. It never should have come on. Yet it did. I see miracles all the time and personally, if I give Him money, I DO NOT WANT IT BACK but He does do that when we need it. It's always enough. $20 showed up in our bank account and even they couldn't explain it. I love His blessings more than money. I love to give. It's my joy!
I am not anti-tithing at all. I give all I can and obey the Spirit, not man. If I can't be a member of your church because I don't have an income of my own but I give no less than 50% of what I have. I give every chance I get but I refuse to use God as my banker. I truly believe we are to pay our bills or we are stealing. I see that as a worse sin. I'm going to be a cheerful and secret giver. BTW, churches who preach the truth on tithing, they get an average of 22% but the others get only 10%. Also, listen to how the tithes are to be spent. It's to go to the saints, the fatherless and widows. Is that what we are doing today? No, it goes to better seats, music and bigger buildings. Try calling any church asking for help and I know from experience, they won't help and if they do, it's very little.
Didn't Jesus tell us that the love of money is the root of all evils? What did He say about the rich young man who was sad because he had many possessions. Lastly, do you not think God considers your time, helping a stranger, helping out someone who's a little short at the store? Render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's. All I have to give Him is my heart, my loyalty, my love and sharing the Gospel. We are saved by grace, not works and I'll give all I can but I admit, I don't give 100%, I hold back at least $5 for me. I'm still a sinner and a wee bit selfish.
Also, do not waste your money on Joel O'Steen's new book called "How to Live Your Best Life now." It's a waste of money cos if you have no hope for a much better life in Heaven, then what's the point? My new citizenship is now in the Kingdom of God and I cannot imagine a more glorious life.
