Sowing the seed.

Leon ♦ February 6, 2015 ♦ 2 Comments

Many TV evangelist spend a majority of their air time speaking about the importance of sowing a seed, in order to have financial success in the life of the giver. The more we give, the greater our harvest will be. Give until it hurts they claim. They also will tell you, it must be given to their ministry.  Romans 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. These men and women live quite well, and those at their service, or sitting at home, may be quite distressed physically or financially.  It is important to give, God is the ultimate giver, and he wants us as his children, to be like him.  In all my years of watching Christian broadcasting, I have never heard a single preacher tell the audience to give to the poor. They are always cajoling the listener to send a check to their web site, or post office box. You might be thinking, the Gospel of Christ is more important then a persons physical well being. I would say you are right, but the Kingdom of God, begins in the heart of the believer.  James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  We can all spread the Gospel of Jesus, through our words and actions.  Many of these TV ministries have made a lucrative business, out of the word of God.  Proverbs 30:15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:¹⁶ The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. I would add a fifth thing to this list, TV evangelists. Their coffers are never full, and they have an endless supply of testimonies of people, who have given to their ministries, and have received ten fold or more back again.  Proverbs 23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.  God will bless the giver, but we should not give to receive. We should give, because we have compassion on those we see in need. We also give, because we have been so greatly, and generously given to. God has given to those who rest, and believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, all things, including eternal life.  Paul had this to say about giving. Ephesians 4: 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Paul did not say a person should labour, in order to give to him, so he could continue to travel and preach the gospel. He admonishes the reader to give, to him that needeth.  And in Acts we read, Acts 20: 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Proverbs 19: 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Finally Jesus himself was approached by a rich man, and the Master himself wanted nothing to do with his money in order to use it to spread his message, instead this is what Jesus instructed him to do. Mathew 19: 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.