Merchandising the Flock

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." 2 Peter 2:2.

I have been guilty of watching some so-called Christian television on Roku. I don't want to pick on the ministries or scoff at their tactics but it is getting insane out there in Christian television land. Aren't you amazed at how many men who supposedly are speaking for God and yet are into merchandising? I know it takes money to advertise their wares but they do it with a straight face as if they are called of God.

"There's a sucker born every minute"

Believe it or not there are those who fall into the speaker's mesmerizing preaching and end up giving huge sums of money to be one of the faithful. It is a shame and a sham in thinking they are doing God a service by their huge gifts to con-artists.

One ministry is selling food for the end-times that desperately needs help in order to buy more air-time in order to sell more food. A visit to their compound demonstrates their love for possessions. They will tell you that the love of money is evil but yet they love the things that money can buy (covetousness).

When I was young I went to one of their schools. I paid my dues. Nothing was free but the act of giving. Ministries like the one I attended cried for gifts to acquire more possessions but seldom gave back. They are like the leech:

"The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough" (Proverbs 30:15-16).

One time I gave a huge gift to a ministry in order to help with their evangelism. It wasn't enough that I wanted to help with their ministry; they had to give me books as a thank you. I didn't want their books. And yet everytime I gave, I got books. I stopped giving.

To some ministries they increase their man's or minister's book sales by buying huge quantities of books and giving them away (this also helps getting their book on the number one bestselling lists). The ministry takes your gift to buy the books and the minister gets his cut of the royalties. If the ministry or minister owns the publishing house, they would get more profit. In the end, it is about getting so-called legitimate profits from their book selling business in the guise of calling themselves a ministry.

It is interesting to note that of all the gifts of money that many have given to so-called men of God we see very little fruits. Our world is more messed up than ever. Building large ministries is not the answer that America needs. I know they will promise or imply that they are doing their work to help others, but then ask this question, who really benefits from your gift giving?

The one that benefits most are the ones in the ministry who live by your gifts. I think many in the work of their religion are into your gifts in order to give them a better quality of life. They are king's kids and they show it by their extravagant compounds of splendor or edifices of grandeur.

You do not need to support most ministries. They will squander away your gifts. Show me the fruits of their work? Is our country godlier? Why not use your money yourself. Learn to help those in your community. Become your own ministry. Make and distribute gospel tracts. If you see a person in need that is not a professional con-artist then help them. Take charge of your own money and use it for good. I know it is easier to give it to a con-artist or to professional shyster, however, now is the time to make your money count for something other than throwing it into the wind and hoping it will do some good.