I have an email I recieved that I would like to share with you.Enjoy."Modern Day MONEY CHANGERS"-by David Ravenhill.I’m convinced that the carnal, cunning, conniving, crooked crooksthat Jesus drove out of the Temple are still among us today.These modern day moneychangers are forever devising new anddeceptive doctrines to defraud God’s people out of His/theirmoney. These masters of deceit have now set up their changingtables throughout the Christian television industry.I’m absolutely certain that if Jesus returned today He would walkinto the vast majority of these television studios and overthrowthe cameras, lights, monitors, and soundboards. He wouldunplug the microphones and scatter the makeup colors aroundas He went about destroying the stages and backdrops.Several years ago now, a nationally know prophetic voice wastold by the Lord, “I’m sick and tired of the prosperity message”.If that was true then, how much more today. As far back as1986, the top seven media evangelists took in over 750 milliondollars. Now with the increased manipulation of ‘seed faithteaching’ that amount has no doubt been dwarfed by comparison.Only a few days ago I was appalled as I watched and listened asPastor Steve__________ zealously twisted and distorted theScriptures to his own advantage. This ‘brother’ dared to distortthe most sacred truth of all Scripture. He used The Day OfAtonement, that day when Jesus Christ the Lamb of God shed Hisblood for the sins of the world, to teach that how we give financiallydetermines how God will respond to us throughout the coming year.My blood boiled as I listened. This ‘brother’ had finally crossed theline and was now on the verge of blaspheming the atoning work ofour blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not to mention lining hisown pockets with the proceeds. He might as well have beenselling indulgences by inferring that God’s favor toward us wasbased on our giving rather than God’s unmerited grace andforgiveness through the gift of His Son. What made matters worsewas that this same ‘charlatan’ was the guest of one of the nation’sbest known charismatic personalities. Within a day or so he wasteaching the same message on a local Christian telethon. Neitherthe evangelist nor the network sought to correct his aberrantteaching – after all, the show must go on and that takes money,so how you raise it doesn’t seem to matter anymore.Why does almost every single Christian program have to end withsome type of ‘seed faith teaching’? If these men and women offaith really believed what they taught, they would practice whatthey preach and teach; after all what’s good for the goose is goodfor the gander. Imagine how shocked you would be if your favoritetelevangelist and covenant partner were to send you a check intheir next mailing for the amount of $1,000.00 with a personalnote telling you he/she just wanted to sow into your life. Perhapsthen I could believe that these men/women really believe andpractice what they teach. Not only that, but they would neverhave to appeal for money again as God’s return to them wouldresult in a hundredfold increase. At least that’s what they wouldhave us to believe.On a recent ministry trip to the Northwest, I was told by a pastorfriend that his church had received a call from a well known andanointed teacher in the Body of Christ. The caller was askingthem for a contribution towards the purchase of a jet for theirministry. What a far cry from what the Apostle Paul taught whenhe prefaced his teaching on ‘sowing and reaping’ with thesewords; “ For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction,but by way of equality.” (II Cor. 8:13-14)Many pastors measure their success in terms of numbers –thelarger the church the more successful their ministry. Itinerantministries, not being able to brag about size, seem to fall for thenotion that having one’s own jet is how success is determined.(Once it was the Rolex watch). By the way, if you love andappreciate this fine teacher, pray that he won’t get the desiresof his heart - it will only lead to the leanness of his soul.This is one man’s attempt to appeal to the Body of Christ. Stoppandering to these moneychangers. These men and women livelike kings while spending your money to buy mansions and jetsfor themselves. They dine in the finest restaurants, wear thelatest designer fashions and then have the audacity to tell youthat you can live the same way as long as you give to their ministry.I opened my Bible the other day to Zechariah’s wonderful prophecyconcerning the first coming of Jesus, our great and glorious King.Listen to his words; ‘Behold your King is coming to you; He isjust and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey,even on a colt the foal of a donkey.’( Zechariah 9:9 ) What a farcry from the televangelist who comes high and mighty and travelingon his own jet!If you are as sick and tired as I am about this waste of God’smoney, then for heaven’s sake STOP SUPPORTING THESEPEOPLE. Give your money to your local church. There are tensof thousands of needy missionaries who barely have enoughsupport to keep themselves alive. They are laboring long and hardunder some of the most difficult and trying conditions. They wouldrejoice at the thought of an extra $10-30 dollars a month support.These are the real heroes of whom the world is not worthy. Helpput these MONEY LOVING TELEVANGELISTS OUT OFBUSINESS and save another MISSIONARY FROM EXTINCTION.Together we can make it happen. Please forward this to as manypeople as you know.Thanks.-David Ravenhill.------------------------
