Fleecer’s Fleeced
By Gary Amirault
This year seems to be a harvest year, and the harvest was indeed plentiful. The leading Christian ministries headquartered in the United States were fleeced of hundreds of millions of, no not wool, but millions of your hard earned dollars. It seems their tickling ears just couldn’t resist a rumor floating around the Christian financial community that a Philanthropic organization headed by an Evangelical was offering a matching fund program which guaranteed them a doubling of their, (or should I say your) money. By being able to drop names like Rockefeller, Billy Graham, etc. as references, John G. Bennett was able to convince the financial officers of the leading Christian organizations to invest hundreds of millions of believers money into a fund called New Era.
New Era, an interesting name considering John Bennett had many connections Evangelicals would term “New Age.”
It seems Mr. Bennett had concocted what was known in the investment field as a “Ponzi scheme.” The idea is to take the money the latter investors give to pay off the earlier investors. Then the news goes out that this thing really works. Greedy people looking for a quick dollar are usually the only ones who fall for such a scheme.
An accountant from one of the Christian Colleges saw through this scheme and recommended his college not participate. They rejected his suggestion. He followed up on his hunch, reported his finding to the proper federal authorities and the hammer came down. It was a scam.
A partial list of those Christian ministries who were fleeced are:
- James Dobson’s Focus on the Family
- Pat Robertson’s 700 Club
- Bill Bright’s Campus Crusade
- Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship
- World Vision
- Youth For Christ, International
- Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
- Salvation Army
- Walk Through the Bible Ministries
- Young Life
- Moody Bible Institute
- Christian Broadcasting Network
- Wheaton College
- Chapel of the Air
. . .and the list goes on and on and on. The government estimates as much as $550 million dollars were involved. Surely these ministries will throw the blame onto anything other than themselves.
The American church, as I mentioned on the audio tape entitled, the Church is a rich prostitute, owns over a trillion dollars of real estate, stocks, bonds, etc. It’s gathering and use of this money is on extremely unscriptural grounds.
In the last Dew I recommended some of you to ask for names of ministries in foreign countries that you can personally help without Tentmaker becoming a middleman. Can you now begin to see why I recommend this method rather than the ones being use by the above listed ministries? The god of Mammon rules in the American church, I don’t care what anyone says. It reigns supreme.
Handling finances is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian walk. It is easy to get duped. This area is the area of ministry I hate the most. I know I am just as capable as falling into these pits as well as anyone else. I have shared some of that on a tape, Plates, Buckets, Bags, and Envelopes. I sure don’t have all the answers on the subject of the proper way to manage ministry money.
Many ministers do the best they can and still fall short just like the rest of us. Fortunately, we serve a God of mercy. Some ministers, unfortunately too many, are in ministry purely for self-gain. These stars will all eventually fall. At least one of the ministries involved in this “Ponze scheme” will be out of business next year due to their loss.
Please do not let these kinds of events stop you from giving. If you do, you will fall into the same pit. Rethink the whole concept of what is a ministry, how should it be supported, how can you be the best steward of what our Father has given you to invest.
One suggestion that might be helpful is this: Jesus said if you see someone hungry, feed him. He didn’t say send the money to a ministry headquartered in a nice posh office building on prime real estate that will only be able to send less than 10% of your dollar to the hungry one. (Because their salaries and expenses and profit-making schemes that fail have eaten up all the rest.) Give the dollar directly to the hungry one. Give him Christ the True Bread at the same time. Enter into your ministry, the ministry of reconciling the whole world … one at a time.
I encourage you once again to write for addresses of those overseas who desperately need you. Your dollars personally invested into the poorer countries of the world will reap a return far greater than “Ponze schemes.” A dollar plowed into Africa or Asia will do far more than what a dollar can do invested in many American ministries. Please pray about writing for those addresses.
——————————–
Giving to true, New Testament ministries is important. That is, ministries where Christ alone is magnified and all involved simply see themselves as mere servants of His (2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5). And, where His pure Word, in His holy fear, nothing left out, is declared in His love (Ezekiel 3:4; Ephesians 4:11-15; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 4:2-5; 1 Peter 4:11, etc.). Also, the feeding, maturing, and tending to of Christ’s sheep is transpiring and the winning of lost souls – Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47; 1 Timothy 4:6, 16; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). Much More Fascinating information here Stewardship
De-Funding the Wolves| Local Church Revenues | Wise Kingdom Giving
Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.
Articles
Rich in Faith [podcast]

“Them that Love Him”
——WHAT one temporarily has in this fleeting world or doesn’t have, has NOTHING to do with that person’s spiritual state. This is what Jesus taught: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15) In fact James says:
“HEARKEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, HATH NOT GOD CHOSEN THE POOR OF THIS WORLD RICH IN FAITH, AND HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM WHICH HE HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM?” JAMES 2:5
James says God chooses those for His eternal kingdom “that love him,” namely “the poor of this world.” We are justified by “faith” and not by what we do or do not temporarily possess in this fleeting life.
IF in your mind you rate people by what they have or don’t have in this fleeting sinful world, you are deeply deceived and in utter need of repentance and the washing of water by the Word of God. You are carnally minded (Romans 8:5-6).
Regrettably, it seems that most people professing to be following Christ, the One who gave all, are not the least bit concerned if their brother or sister has a need. God have mercy upon us and grant us repentance in Jesus’ Name! Are these people truly saved?
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19
“If we are in Jesus we have the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Unfathomable (in our small minds), infinite wealth and spiritual blessings! Endless mercy, grace, and forgiveness. That is inexhaustible! Why do we need any worldly riches that will rot and corrupt our hearts!? Lay up in your hearts God’s riches! Which are eternal!” Karen Cochran
Some have tens of thousands in the bank and could care less to find out if a sister or brother has a need. The Bible assures us that they are not saved. If you have even a little to give and don’t, it’s because you simply have chosen not to know and abide in Christ.
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:14-17
The financial institutions and their salesmen are vying for your money. They want your money to invest so that you and they earn a financial gain in this life. Christians in need, orphans, and Gospel workers are also available to invest in. To help them is to invest in the LORD’s kingdom and be repaid dividends for eternity. Oh, and your heart will follow where you choose to place your money. Jesus says “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
PRAYER: Holy Father, please break me and make me Your authentic follower. Jesus I love You. Let me walk as You walked, live as You lived, love as You love. Bless this life You gave to be truly crucified with You – dead, buried, and raised up – a vessel of honor for Your glory! In Jesus’ name.
Let’s Grow Together! Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with Our Master email devotional that is sure to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18). It’s sent out for the edification of the body of Christ. Sign Up HERE.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | More on Assurance here | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Knowing God | The Cross Life | 100’s of Christ-centered Scripture-rich Podcasts | Christology = the Study of Christ


Abiding
Safety in Wise Counsel [podcast]

“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” Proverbs 20:18
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
“Safety” in wise counsel from God’s wisdom, Word, and including at times with the help of His beloved saints.
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14
“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31
“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6
Caprice means a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:13-18
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | 100’s of Christ-centered Podcasts | Bible Books Narrated | Bible Study Helps | The Book of James Narrated [podcast] | The Book of Revelation Narrated [podcast] | Colossians Overview [podcast]


Articles
“Let Brotherly Love Continue” [podcast]

“Let Brotherly Love Continue.” Hebrews 13:1
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2
1 John 4
God Is Love
“7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
1 Corinthians 13
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and Prayer | The Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast] | The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast] | What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast] | “Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast] | A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast] | Departing from Hell Beneath | Prayer


America12 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
Articles2 years agoChildren being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
Articles8 years agoSelf-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
Apostasy2 years agoSHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True



































