Robert Tilton has a “word” from God,..... just for you. Send money!
Well, I’ve already talked about politics, race relations, hedonism, narcissism, the economy, gun control, hotrods, employee relations, bad drivers, education, confusion, dogs, and decapitation. BUT, have you noticed how skillfully I have (so far) avoided any discussion about RELIGION? Even at the risk of being tarred and feathered and run out of town, I shall press bravely forward on this mercurial subject.
Church life and spirituality have always been a big part of my life. My great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my uncle were all ministers. My father was an elder in the church and chairman of the board of a Christian college for many years. They were all fine men who did much for many, and asked for nothing in return. I know I’ve been a disappointment to my family for not pursuing such lofty endeavors. I am probably considered by some to be the family reprobate.
One definition of a reprobate is: A morally unprincipled person. Shameless. One who is predestined to damnation? OUCH! Come on now, I must possess SOME redeeming qualities. After all, my business partners tolerate me. My mother kinda likes me. And my wife, kids, grandkids, and dog love me. And even if they don’t, I know that Jesus does.
I confess that I haven’t been the most devoted sheep in the flock (a gray sheep?), but my basic beliefs in the Trinity are alive and well. I attend services at least three out of every four Sundays, I try not to drink, smoke, or cuss too much, and I tithe a lot more than Joe Biden does. Surely all this puts me at least one notch higher on the salvation ladder than most politicians.
It’s a well-established fact that I have the attention span of a small child on a caffeine diet. I don’t actually watch TV. I just surf the channels. If a channel can hold my attention more that 3 seconds, I may watch it for several minutes before moving on.
One thing that always gets my attention (and my ire) is the fraudulent televangelist. And, there is a plethora of them about. It seems that you can’t go more than a few channels without landing on one of these broadcasts. I’m not talking about the preachers that actually preach about salvation and ask for little or nothing at all. I’m talking about the hustlers that are in it for the (your) bucks. These are the purveyors of “health & wealth” religion. (Name it and claim it.)
These guys absolutely fascinate me. They have commercialized Jesus to the Nth degree. They’ve become the masters of shakedown. Their performances are slicker than KY Gel. Ponzi schemers and ambulance chasers pale in comparison to this new breed of shyster. They wear arrogance like a uniform as they strut across the stage waving the bible in the air. Oh, they may have read the words in that book, but somehow they completely missed the Word.
Most of these guys are very wealthy thanks to all those folks that are looking to purchase a miracle or two. They live in mansions, own expensive beach homes, drive expensive cars, stay in luxury hotels, dine at the best restaurants, wear custom made clothes, wear $20k watches, and make sure that all their relatives live well too. It seems like they all have their own multi-million dollar private jets. Some even have a fleet of jets at their disposal. Is life good for them or what?
So where are they getting all this money to live so well? Unfortunately, they target the poor, the gullible, the uneducated, the sick, the lonely, and people that are desperate for any improvement in their life. But, they also prey on people’s greed. They flaunt their wealth and convince people that they too can live the good life.
They really work the greed angle. All you have to do is send them a “faith seed” (send money) or “partner with them” (send money) and God will begin to work miracles in your life. I’ve actually heard some of them claim you will get back ten times what you send. You may even get more if you have enough faith. Frequently they name specific amounts of money that God wants you to send them. It might be $77.00 this month and $1000.00 next month (depending on their avaricious lifestyle). Occasionally they will trot someone out who sent Rev. (put name here) $2000.00 and the following month their mortgage was just magically paid off.
They treat God like He’s just a big lottery pool in the sky. And since they have “been anointed”, they can get you connected to the jackpot. I’m not sure who anointed them, but I don’t think it was God.
If they even had a cursory knowledge of the Bible, they would know that the One who’s name they cast about so freely, lived as a simple carpenter and had none or very few possessions. They would know that the Apostle Paul, even though he was a highly educated Roman citizen with political connections, sewed tents to support himself while spreading the word to the Gentiles. They would know that Jesus told the wealthy young ruler, “Sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and THEN follow me”. Luke 18:18-30 NIV. You’ll notice He didn’t say, “Take from the poor and get even richer”!
Kickin’ Butt and Takin’ Names!
There are far too many of these scalawags to name them all, so I’ll just mention a few of my favorites.
Mike Murdock struts across the stage at his Wisdom Center giving Wisdom Keys to all us dimwits, cause (Duh!) we’re too stupid to understand simple scripture. He will say something completely meaningless, then put his hands on his hips and bob his head up and down as he scans the audience with a smirk on his face. But, do not fear, he will get around to asking for that seed money.
Entertainment Rating: 2
Benny Hinn may very well be the scariest guy on earth. He is fabulously wealthy and arrives in a Roll Royce when he comes to speak down to the multitudes. He is surrounded by bodyguards and is completely unapproachable. On stage he rants and raves and speaks in tongues. When he asks for money he suggests that you be “obedient” and fork it over. If you should publicly disagree with his eminence, he’ll send demons against you. Hmmm,…I wonder whom he’s really working for???
Entertainment Rating: 0
Jesse Duplantis is fun to watch. Jesse is high energy. He runs up and down the stage screeching, laughing, singing, and telling tall tales. He openly brags about his wealth and insinuates that if you’re living in poverty, it’s your fault for choosing to do so. Wow!
Entertainment Rating: 3
Robert Tilton is the undisputed champion in this game. No one holds a candle to Bob. He exudes such passion and sincerity. He almost sweats blood when he prays (that you’ll send him money). His preaching (pointless drivel) is highly animated and he can twist his face into contortions I didn’t know were humanly possible. He can find the most obscure scriptures in the Bible to change into whatever he wants it to say.
Frequently, during one of his impassioned sermonettes, he will break into the speaking of tongues. If you listen closely to this jibber you’ll hear the same dozen sounds over and over again. Frequently he’ll stop preaching to say that God just gave him a “word”. “There’s someone out there that’s been suffering with back pain and if you plant (with him) a seed of $1000.00 today, God will remove your pain forever”.
Well now, old Bob could charm the scales off a cobra. And if the FTC or the IRS should ever shut him down, he will quickly make a new fortune selling ice to the Eskimos.
Entertainment Rating: 4
There are many passages in scripture that foretell the fate of these flock-fleecers and false prophets. If they truly knew the Word they would know what’s in store for them.
WWJD? Well, on Judgment Day Jesus will probably just forgive these scoundrels. WWJD? What Would John Do? On Judgment Day I would give ‘em a choice. “OK boys, what would you prefer, being barbequed, fried, roasted, skewered and shish kabobed, impaled on a flaming sword, or returned to earth as a grindingly poor, blind, homeless person with leprosy?” Knowing how greedy these maggots are, they would probably want it all.
Well, I’ve already talked about politics, race relations, hedonism, narcissism, the economy, gun control, hotrods, employee relations, bad drivers, education, confusion, dogs, and decapitation. BUT, have you noticed how skillfully I have (so far) avoided any discussion about RELIGION? Even at the risk of being tarred and feathered and run out of town, I shall press bravely forward on this mercurial subject.
Church life and spirituality have always been a big part of my life. My great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my uncle were all ministers. My father was an elder in the church and chairman of the board of a Christian college for many years. They were all fine men who did much for many, and asked for nothing in return. I know I’ve been a disappointment to my family for not pursuing such lofty endeavors. I am probably considered by some to be the family reprobate.
One definition of a reprobate is: A morally unprincipled person. Shameless. One who is predestined to damnation? OUCH! Come on now, I must possess SOME redeeming qualities. After all, my business partners tolerate me. My mother kinda likes me. And my wife, kids, grandkids, and dog love me. And even if they don’t, I know that Jesus does.
I confess that I haven’t been the most devoted sheep in the flock (a gray sheep?), but my basic beliefs in the Trinity are alive and well. I attend services at least three out of every four Sundays, I try not to drink, smoke, or cuss too much, and I tithe a lot more than Joe Biden does. Surely all this puts me at least one notch higher on the salvation ladder than most politicians.
It’s a well-established fact that I have the attention span of a small child on a caffeine diet. I don’t actually watch TV. I just surf the channels. If a channel can hold my attention more that 3 seconds, I may watch it for several minutes before moving on.
One thing that always gets my attention (and my ire) is the fraudulent televangelist. And, there is a plethora of them about. It seems that you can’t go more than a few channels without landing on one of these broadcasts. I’m not talking about the preachers that actually preach about salvation and ask for little or nothing at all. I’m talking about the hustlers that are in it for the (your) bucks. These are the purveyors of “health & wealth” religion. (Name it and claim it.)
These guys absolutely fascinate me. They have commercialized Jesus to the Nth degree. They’ve become the masters of shakedown. Their performances are slicker than KY Gel. Ponzi schemers and ambulance chasers pale in comparison to this new breed of shyster. They wear arrogance like a uniform as they strut across the stage waving the bible in the air. Oh, they may have read the words in that book, but somehow they completely missed the Word.
Most of these guys are very wealthy thanks to all those folks that are looking to purchase a miracle or two. They live in mansions, own expensive beach homes, drive expensive cars, stay in luxury hotels, dine at the best restaurants, wear custom made clothes, wear $20k watches, and make sure that all their relatives live well too. It seems like they all have their own multi-million dollar private jets. Some even have a fleet of jets at their disposal. Is life good for them or what?
So where are they getting all this money to live so well? Unfortunately, they target the poor, the gullible, the uneducated, the sick, the lonely, and people that are desperate for any improvement in their life. But, they also prey on people’s greed. They flaunt their wealth and convince people that they too can live the good life.
They really work the greed angle. All you have to do is send them a “faith seed” (send money) or “partner with them” (send money) and God will begin to work miracles in your life. I’ve actually heard some of them claim you will get back ten times what you send. You may even get more if you have enough faith. Frequently they name specific amounts of money that God wants you to send them. It might be $77.00 this month and $1000.00 next month (depending on their avaricious lifestyle). Occasionally they will trot someone out who sent Rev. (put name here) $2000.00 and the following month their mortgage was just magically paid off.
They treat God like He’s just a big lottery pool in the sky. And since they have “been anointed”, they can get you connected to the jackpot. I’m not sure who anointed them, but I don’t think it was God.
If they even had a cursory knowledge of the Bible, they would know that the One who’s name they cast about so freely, lived as a simple carpenter and had none or very few possessions. They would know that the Apostle Paul, even though he was a highly educated Roman citizen with political connections, sewed tents to support himself while spreading the word to the Gentiles. They would know that Jesus told the wealthy young ruler, “Sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and THEN follow me”. Luke 18:18-30 NIV. You’ll notice He didn’t say, “Take from the poor and get even richer”!
Kickin’ Butt and Takin’ Names!
There are far too many of these scalawags to name them all, so I’ll just mention a few of my favorites.
Mike Murdock struts across the stage at his Wisdom Center giving Wisdom Keys to all us dimwits, cause (Duh!) we’re too stupid to understand simple scripture. He will say something completely meaningless, then put his hands on his hips and bob his head up and down as he scans the audience with a smirk on his face. But, do not fear, he will get around to asking for that seed money.
Entertainment Rating: 2
Benny Hinn may very well be the scariest guy on earth. He is fabulously wealthy and arrives in a Roll Royce when he comes to speak down to the multitudes. He is surrounded by bodyguards and is completely unapproachable. On stage he rants and raves and speaks in tongues. When he asks for money he suggests that you be “obedient” and fork it over. If you should publicly disagree with his eminence, he’ll send demons against you. Hmmm,…I wonder whom he’s really working for???
Entertainment Rating: 0
Jesse Duplantis is fun to watch. Jesse is high energy. He runs up and down the stage screeching, laughing, singing, and telling tall tales. He openly brags about his wealth and insinuates that if you’re living in poverty, it’s your fault for choosing to do so. Wow!
Entertainment Rating: 3
Robert Tilton is the undisputed champion in this game. No one holds a candle to Bob. He exudes such passion and sincerity. He almost sweats blood when he prays (that you’ll send him money). His preaching (pointless drivel) is highly animated and he can twist his face into contortions I didn’t know were humanly possible. He can find the most obscure scriptures in the Bible to change into whatever he wants it to say.
Frequently, during one of his impassioned sermonettes, he will break into the speaking of tongues. If you listen closely to this jibber you’ll hear the same dozen sounds over and over again. Frequently he’ll stop preaching to say that God just gave him a “word”. “There’s someone out there that’s been suffering with back pain and if you plant (with him) a seed of $1000.00 today, God will remove your pain forever”.
Well now, old Bob could charm the scales off a cobra. And if the FTC or the IRS should ever shut him down, he will quickly make a new fortune selling ice to the Eskimos.
Entertainment Rating: 4
There are many passages in scripture that foretell the fate of these flock-fleecers and false prophets. If they truly knew the Word they would know what’s in store for them.
WWJD? Well, on Judgment Day Jesus will probably just forgive these scoundrels. WWJD? What Would John Do? On Judgment Day I would give ‘em a choice. “OK boys, what would you prefer, being barbequed, fried, roasted, skewered and shish kabobed, impaled on a flaming sword, or returned to earth as a grindingly poor, blind, homeless person with leprosy?” Knowing how greedy these maggots are, they would probably want it all.
And, I would gladly give it to them.
Can I get an Amen?
Can I get an Amen?
3 comments:
Test
AMEN! :)
Hello, I have been truly blessed through the Tilton ministry beyond my imagination. It's the seed principle. You reap what you sow. If you are giving to help spread the word of God he will surely bless you so much. Can you handle it is the question? I'm not a person who works for the ministry, I am living proof.
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