Paula White

I switched on the TV the other day and lo and behold Paula White was on it talking to Benny Hinn. She talked about "3 dimension spirtuality" (offer was available for $45 for DVD set) but she said God had given her a revelation for "3D spirtuality" (Paula if you read this 3D Spirtuality will be patented so you cant nick that idea i came up with it first)

Anyway she says "3D Spiritually" is Fasting, praying and planting "SEED" God has revealed to paula white the keys to "breakthorugh" in many areas of life like *marriage*, finance, greed, loneliness, pain, hurt, increase, family, money, children and silver and gold etc ... (excuse the slight dry wit)

Questions

1. Is the bible complete?

2. Is there any president for a new exegete of scripture given we are told not to add or subtract from the book. What are the roles of preachers and teachers?

3. Does a prophetic gift allow for new insight into the word of God if scripture does not contain such a conclusion.

4. Are we allowed to sell teaching materials for profit.

5. What is the real significance of fasting

1. Yes
2. No, and rightly handle the word, not being many masters knowing ye shall receive the greater condemnation.
3. No, at least not the way you framed the question
4. No
5. Isaiah 58.

I don't mean to hijack the thread and if what I'm going to say is discussed on another thread I'll just go read that. While I don't know a whole lot about Paula White, I know enough that I'm not going to run to her defense where preaching and teaching are concerned. I will not attack her either. My thought was on question 4, RainMan. Areadymind stated that the answer was no, we cannot sell teaching materials for profit. I assume you asked expecting a response like Areadymind's. I would disagree. Certainly we should not be doing it to get rich but there is scripture dealing with this very thing. 1 Corinthians 9 deals very specifically with this topic. What scriptures do you use to support this thought? Please note that I'm not attacking but only trying to see where you're coming from. Again, no pastor or teacher should get rich from preaching the gospel, but where is it written that a preacher or writer can not make a decent living?

7Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Please forgive me if I am splitting hairs hoohoou, but "profiting" and having needs met are two completely different kinds of ideas in my book. The verses you are quoting are not licensing profiteering off of the gospel.

Peter told the elders not to serve for "filthy lucre."

We are told that we cannot serve two masters.

Jesus said "freely you have been given, freely you should give."

Peter said a time was coming when false teachers would make "Merchandise" out of Christians. The word is (if I can remember how to spell it in greek from memory) emporiomidzai, a rather pointed term from where we get a fascinatingly relevant modern word in English.

There is no problem with reasonable support...profiteering is completely unqualified. However, this is a heart issue between men and God. Only you know if you are profiteering off of the gospel or not. Well, in some cases, If I read your bank statements I could tell if you were profiteering or not.

When Paul went to Corinth, he was building tents and supporting himself. Thus Paul did not limit his ministry by people supporting him. But when financial support came in from Philippi, he was able to teach the Corinthians for a whole year and a half.

I personally, admittedly, resent that people think they need "Official Capacity" in order to serve their Lord. It is one of the biggest stumbling blocks that I see with believers I talk to ALL the time. They seem to think that God is limited to allowing them to follow Him by having some official "Title" or payroll, or recognition. These things may come...but they do not designate your qualification.

It seems to me that a lot of people are squashed in what God is calling them to do because they need these items first.

The intended speed and acceleration at which a believer moves at while they "live move, and have their being in Christ," is between them and God. Praise Jesus though that the body of Christ can support and maintain those individuals velocity...

Financial support for the ministers of the New Testament was a confirmation of their calling and authority, which came first, rather than being the requisite as we see it today. Money was never a hindrance to the calling (it certainly helps the velocity of the call though.) Paul is also emphasizing in Corinthians that the giving was not just for those whom would receive the benefit, but was intended to be a benefit to those whom gave. There is a lot more to the passage in Corinthians than ministers commonly point out.

Serving Jesus then is benefited by, but far from limited to, financial support from other believers. Cut off the payroll spigot from many "ministers" in the United States today, and all their 'service' would dry right up. Remove their titles and merit badges, and their "authority" would shrivel away...

Keyword in verse thirteen, "Live" of the gospel...not profit.

Sorry for not explaining my response earlier.

thanks for the Isiah 58 verse. That has really opened my eyes further to how selfish motivated fasting is not what God requires. That verse has opened my eyes to what real worship and fasting is truelly about - God Bless @areadyM

Regarding sharing carnal things with those who administer spiritual things? Yes i absolutely believe this as it is written in the word...but....

I believe we can learn from the law which was a shadow of things to come. In the theocracy of Old testament law provision was made for the poor and the priests. In the new testament the standard is much higher as we obviously see from the early churches they suffered no lack because they shared all they had. Paul teaches about this equality in 2 Cor 8 & 9. If a man of God is living a much higher standard of living than his congregation its not really an example of the equality and suffering for Christ Paul taught and it does not inspire selflessness and sharing.

As soldiers for Christ we are to try to please our commanding officer not being distracted by civilian affairs. I see the desire to accumulate wealth as a civilian affair that will ensnare and corrupt.

Paula should receive carnal things when she ministers spiritual things. But if she ministers carnal things should not receive spiritual things in love? Any love that ignores the word of God is a human love and not agape love. Jesus taught "if you love me you will obey my teachings" to say we love someone and ignore scripture is a high standard of hypocrisy. Remember what Jesus said to peter when he reinstated him "Simon peter love me not.... then feed my sheep" if we are disciples of Jesus then our love is expressed by edifying each other with Gods word Col 3:16 not ignoring the word of God and saying we love someone.

I have hours and hours of teaching material form tozer to poonen to washer etc that i downloaded of Sermon Index for free that has blessed me in ways you cant imagine. The SI folks so graciously made this stuff free of charge for everyone. I dont know the SI folks personally but my guess is that God has been faithful to them and provided for their needs just as they have been faithful. I have no doubt that God would do the same for paula if she made her materials free and trusted God. I believe that God causes men to give in to our bosom in the same measure we mete out if not even more.

Please do not make this about paula as im not trying to codemn her. To examine her teaching scripturally leads us down a road that will surely identify her as to what she is which is false teacher / spirit inspired teacher(But this is not the thread for that).

From what I know of Paula White, there are issues one needs to deal with greater the the ones mentioned.

But yes, it appears to me she is using the WORD to gain wealth. Personally, I get uneasy when I see this happening. The solution is to not listen to them, do not buy their lit, books or CDs or DVDs. They will only work to tarnish your understanding of the WORD

My opinion...

For both Rainman and Areadymind, I do not want to split hairs as that is counter-productive. I don't think we really disagree at all in principle. We may a little in application though. I think I may have actually read the OP incorretly. It was asked if someone could sell materials "for profit". It seems that that phrase differs from how I read it, which was, "for 'a' profit". That "a" changes the meaning considerably. While I don't feel a minister should be in it to profit from it, I don't see an issue with selling materials for "a" profit.

Rainman, you said "If a man of God is living a much higher standard of living than his congregation its not really an example of the equality and suffering for Christ Paul taught and it does not inspire selflessness and sharing." I would agree with this completely. However, I think that the converse is also true. A church that has the opportunity to give a pastor some breathing room financially, yet does not, is no less guilty than the preacher who profits from the needy among him.

I'll leave it at that since I don't disagree with anything either of you have said. I just wanted to turn over this rock and see what was on the other side for a second.

I'm not saying anything about Paula White per se but about these stupid questions...
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2. Is there any president for a new exegete of scripture given we are told not to add or subtract from the book. What are the roles of preachers and teachers?

3. Does a prophetic gift allow for new insight into the word of God if scripture does not contain such a conclusion.

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Maybe I'm wrong, but I think by asking those questions (for their own gain) on a widely viewed tv show, that they give "carte blanche" to the todd bentley types watching that show and then... here we go again with another crazy revival popping up somewhere.

God help us all,
Lysa