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This was a LETTER TO THE EDITOR in response to a Religion Article by the retired Reverend

RE – Article “Sermon Pitched from the Mound” by the retired Reverend:

In this article, the Reverend uses baseball metaphors to describe Jesus “pitching” his sermons from the mound. Fairly innocuous, except for one paragraph, where he decided to toss his own “zinger”.

He cries “charlatan” against the ministries of Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, T. D. Jakes, Creflo Dollar, and the entire Trinity Broadcasting Network. He says “they would have you believe that your reward for faith – and hefty tithing – is more money. Give them $10 and Jesus will make it $100. Ka-ching!”

In the Old Testament, when the future King David was on the run from King Saul who was trying to kill him due to jealousy, David refused to retaliate against Saul, saying he would not raise his hand against the Lord’s Anointed, recognizing Saul’s previous position before God. Yet the Reverend unwisely does not hesitate to make accusations against very successful ministries.

Jesus said they (the world) will know you are my disciples as you love one another. The above statements are contrary to Jesus directions.

The only thing these Ministries are guilty of is believing and preaching the Word of God as found in the Bible. The Reverend does not, as suggested in previous articles, share in this guilt.

The Bible has much to say about money. The following is a sampling:

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9,10

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24-28

 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!” (says the Lord). But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.  You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:8-10

Jesus said  “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”. Hebrews 11:6

All of these speak of faith and increase, when you honour and obey God. Ka-ching!

I have observed that the ministries that preach the Word of God are full and growing. Those Churches that do not believe, and preach a compromised message  seem to consistently have declining attendance. People have a hunger for the things of God, and they will attend where they get fed. Following Jesus should be exciting.

So, you either preach the Word of God, or you don’t. Obviously the retired Reverend did not.

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