The God I BELIEVE IN . . .

"Well, the GOD I believe in isn't short of cash . . ."

--Bono, lead singer of U2

I just posted a comment on ABC News. The online article was concerning the 'Prosperity Gospel.'

Normally I defend the Biblical practice of 'seed offerings' and in MANY cases, this is exactly what the Bible asks of us! The Levitical Priesthood was literally SUPPORTED only by the 10% offering of the Hebrew community.

Similarly, the Patriarch Abraham tithed 10% of his income to the LORD when he met the Priest-King Melchizedek (the order of priesthood that Christ Jesus was born into).

To give is to be Christian.

Sadly, however, as Bono rightly reminds us, OUR GOD is NEVER short of cash. NEED a MIRACLE, then LOOK OUT! Food, clothing and yes, even cash when needed IS GIVEN, but by the LORD'S WILL, not by human manipulation.

Well, here's my comment . . .

I am a Professor of Ethics, a former Methodist pastor . . . As someone who is a member of the Charismatic movement, who speaks in tongues, tithes his income, and even gives seed offerings, sadly, I am in agreement with this critique of the Prosperity Gospel. Jesus Christ Himself in the Beatitudes (Luke's Gospel) said that 'Blessed are the poor . . .' Jesus Christ ALSO said, "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God . . .' Therefore, the Prosperity Gospel is directly contradicting the words of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate LOGOS, and therefore in grave doctrinal error. God does not act the way many in the Prosperity Gospel want to coopt God into acting!

Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King