I concluded the last entry in our series by saying that many televangelists do not understand the nature of the Abrahamic Covenant. Let me tell you why. Most of them claim that we, as Christians, are entitled to the same blessings that were promised to Abraham, namely, blessings of a physical nature. For example, they encourage people to “sow a seed of faith” into their ministries, claiming that if they do, they will receive a great blessing from the Lord, whether it be financial blessing, physical healing, or any other need in their lives. Some of them even proclaim a “thousand-fold blessing” over their constituents. They say that if a person will send a certain amount of money, then God will somehow give back to him/her 1,000 times what was given. For example, if a person were to contribute $50 to a televangelist’s ministry, then God will give that person $50,000.
The problem with this teaching is that it demonstrates a woeful lack of understanding concerning the Christian’s relationship to the Abrahamic Covenant. According to Galatians 3, we have become, by faith, children of Abraham (v. 7). Therefore, these televangelists claim that we are entitled to the same blessings Abraham received, namely, financial prosperity and physical well-being.
Now, it is true that, as believers in Christ, we are grafted into the vine that is Israel (Rom. 11). It is also true that because of our faith, we are considered children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7). However, this spiritual sonship does not entitle us to blessings that are primarily of a monetary or physical nature, but of a spiritual nature. And, indeed, we have received every spiritual blessing from the hand of God (Eph. 1:3).
Furthermore, if God were to promise such blessings as those promised by televangelists to people who commit money to His ministry or service, then why would the money have to be sent to the televangelists? Could not a Christian give that “seed” to their local church and expect to receive the same blessing? But alas, we find a great many preachers saying, “Send ME your money, and God will reward you greatly.” And in so doing, they reveal their own greed and cater to the greed of those who would send them money in hopes of a great return on their investment from the Lord. Though they disguise in high sounding and pious words, they are seeking to buy a miracle from God.
Do you see how this violates God’s holiness and the holiness of His Word? These people treat God as a cosmic genie in the sky, who is obligated to give to people whatever they want, just because they “sowed a seed” into some preacher’s ministry and because they had enough faith to believe Him for it. Rather than recognizing God’s holiness and sovereignty and their need to submit to Him, they view themselves as being sovereign over God, expecting Him to do whatever they ask or require, just because they want Him to.
For those who may be preachers and teachers of God’s Word, including myself, as I am now undertaking to teach people the Word of God through this devotional, let this be a warning. We must seek to truly know and understand God’s Word. If a person sins or holds to improper doctrine because it was taught to him by someone else, that is one thing. And indeed, we will all have to give an account before God for our actions. But to lead someone into sin, particularly the sin of usurping God’s sovereignty, by giving them a false impression of what the Bible says is an even greater sin. And, as I mentioned last time, James tells us that teachers and preachers of God’s Word will receive a stricter judgment than those whom they teach.
Of course, this is not to say that those being taught are without excuse or responsibility. For example, I am accountable to God for what I write in these devotionals. It is my responsibility to make sure that my words are in keeping with the Bible. But it is your responsibility to take the things I say and check them against Scripture. Whenever I claim that the Bible says something, don’t take my word for it. You go and see for yourself. And if ever I claim the Bible says something that it in fact does not, then I would ask that you bring it to my attention, so that I may correct myself. I also hope and pray that each of us would carefully heed the teachings and instruction of the Bible.