Jim Bakker recently enlisted Trump’s “spiritual adviser”, Paula White, to help him collect the money of gullible believers so he can build a greater venue for spreading his message. The tactic he used was ingenious.
White told viewers they had to donate thousands of dollars so Bakker could build a new studio. She added that there is a “Treasury Department” in Heaven paying close attention to how viewers spend their money. Wow!
No doubt, this has been named spiritual fear-mongering: Heaven is keeping watch! You better write that check.
Paula White has been hanging out with too many politicians. She is employing politico speak to an unsuspecting audience that may be deluded that she has the ear not only of the President but also has a direct line to God.
Ms. White claimed, “Every treasure you give here on Earth is being stored up in Heaven. There is a Department of Treasury in Heaven. Now I know Mnuchin’s over it down here, but I’m telling you there’s a Department of Treasury in Heaven that God is watching over everything you do; and you are storing up eternal treasure that will go so far beyond, I think, what we can even begin to imagine, that you are mandated by God.”
As she was on Bakker’s show, Paula White said, finally, “I feel a mandate. I know I was supposed [sic] come share my book, but I feel a mandate to help you build this.”
Is there no end to these hucksters and their repeated money-grabbing? Gullible saints and deluded folks that are in the “Get Rich Quick” approach to religion are taking big risks. They are urged to write checks in the thousands and hundreds of thousands to get a return on their investment. But, unlike venture capitalists that have done their homework and know a good deal when they evaluate it, these greedy givers are the ones being taken.
What all these people need is a healthy dose of Paul’s teaching from the first epistle to Timothy: “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:5-10).
[Author’s Note: Apart from Scripture, all quotes are from Patheos.com]
