Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Shyster Evangelists on TV - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 5:9-10,

"No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds."

The church was (and is) to take care of widows within the fellowship who were godly and left without family to support them. I note that it is either the family of a widow, or in the absence of family, the fellowship that is to provide for the widow in need. In fact, our fellowships have been asked by God through the Scriptures to care for any needy person that comes our way.

Now, I have had an earful (and I suspect you have had as well), of TV "evangelists" who promote the notion that if we would but just send in our "faith promise pledge" of a thousand dollars or more to them, "casting our bread on the waters", God will bless us with a financial miracle. All I need do is send in my check to so-and-so's "ministry" and sit back and await God's miraculous and wonderful financial blessing. Meanwhile the TV evangelist will send me a little booklet, or some phony "holy water" straight from the river Jordan, or some "holy anointing oil" in a little plastic tube, or some cheesy special edition of the Scriptures containing their odd-ball perspectives, or whatever the gullible and/or desperate will jump for.

Didn't Paul know this? Why did he ask Timothy to ensure the widows be taken care of when all the widow had to do was send in what paltry sum she had to the tele-evangelist? In this way, the widows could take care of themselves, right? Since God loves us, he doesn't want us poor, does he?

How is it these shyster "evangelists" are so successful (they make millions with their scams)? Doesn't anyone read their Bibles? All who subscribe to these wacky schemes are either being fleeced or are fleecing others. Of them, Paul's warning to Timothy could not be truer, they "have been robbed of the truth and ... think that godliness is a means to financial gain." 1 Timothy 6:5.

Here is a good tip: either don't, or stop, sending your money into these kinds of scams. Worship the Lord with your finances at your local fellowship and care for the needy when they appear. Follow the Scriptures, not these "wolves in sheep's clothing."

Yes, God does live us, and he does care for the widows, the orphans, the helpless. That is why he is sending you and me. It is the other spiritual camp that is sending the shyster evangelists. Trust me - you can take that to the bank!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

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