Today, the sale of “Christian” merchandise is a multi-billion dollar industry. Apart from the purchase of Bibles and legitimate study aides, the seemingly countless offerings of “How-tos” for “successful Christian” living as well as miscellaneous other products rakes in untold wealth for this industry. These wolves in sheep’s clothing: so-called apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers, healers to name a few among a host of ignominious ecclesiastical titles have capitalised on the ignorance and greed of their followers to enrich themselves.
Many of them live in mansions, and command armies of “specialized” aides and servants; they have private jets; they have chauffeurs, and many expensive luxury cars; they wear the finest and eat the best. However, I ask you, how does this lifestyle and example align itself with the scriptures they claim to teach?
The Disciples of Christ, as recorded in the New Testament, suffered many hazards and hardships to proclaim the gospel.
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. (1 Corinthians 4:10-13)
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:10-12)
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (Matthew 10:7-10)
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6)
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:1-2)
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. (1Corinthians 9:18)
This last verse is a testament to the heart and conviction of these men as servants of Christ. These scriptures are in stark contrast to the opulence so shamelessly practiced and flaunted by these spiritual fraudsters.
Christ, Himself said, “…freely ye have received, freely give.” If the knowledge and revelations they have received as well as the spiritual gifts they wield are all “gifts” of the Holy Ghost, why do they charge their followers for them in light of this instruction from the Lord?
When Simon the sorcerer offered money for the gift of the Holy Ghost, he was severely rebuked.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Acts 8:18-20)
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? (2 Corinthians 11:7) — The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible: Or did I commit sin, humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? (2 Corinthians 11:7)
It’s now time that these men and women who falsely take the name of Christ for their gain be exposed and viciously rebuked.