THE BLOOD OR THE SEED?

[Buster Jackson]

This word of reproof, correction, and instruction in sound doctrine is for the Church in this hour.

How can we correctly divide the word of truth concerning the covenant of blood and the simplicity of giving while we continue to wrongly suppose that we can give money for a blessing of provision contained within the blessed covenant?

Sadly, there are modern day teachings which have gone off on dangerous tangents in the subject of giving, thereby dragging many away from sound doctrine. Christians, by and large, are no longer being taught the Scriptural, delightful, blessed, simplicity of Bible based giving. The LORD loves a cheerful giver. While we dare not take away from the power of THE LORD to return abundantly above what is given, (GOD is gracious) we must also stand against that which is designed to make merchandise of the believer.

Unwittingly, many sincere believers are surrendering this blessed simplicity of cheerful giving for the complication of errant teaching which places them in shackles of works.

On the subject of giving, our LORD JESUS did say, in...St. Luke 6:38 , "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye meet withal it shall be measured to you again." (KJV)

Before HE said those words, HE said these: St. Luke 6:30-37 “Give to every man that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven.” (KJV)

As shown above, when taken in context, this teaching on giving is introduced with words of love and mercy. Instead of teaching to give with the right motive, so many teachers have turned the spotlight on the return instead of the gift, focusing on self as the receiver of the blessings and not on the needs of others. This teaches selfishness instead of love. Is it not more blessed to give than it is to receive?

GOD loves a cheerful giver. HE simply wants us to give cheerfully and not become entangled in giving for all the wrong reasons. There is no need to seek to be rich. It is our Heavenly FATHER’s good pleasure to give unto us the Kingdom. Do not fret over increase.

The Scripture is all that is needed to prove wrong those who seek to be rich; however, as believers, we must allow THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH to instruct our spiritual minds. Doing so will arm us with the mind of CHRIST and teach us to refuse the teachings of those who speak evil of the way of truth.

OPPOSITIONS

OF THE

PROSPERITY DOCTRINE

Those that have been named ’New-Order’ teachers have introduced some very serious opposition to sound doctrine. Let us take a brief look at some violations of truth in some areas of the doctrine of seed-faith giving, also called the prosperity doctrine. This doctrine does, in itself, contain some truth; however, as a whole, finished belief system, it is a deadly snare.

It is true that, if we give unto others, it shall be given unto us. It is false that you may name your miracle that you want in return for your giving. It is also false to claim that the bigger your need is, the bigger your seed should be. What if one has a big need and no money?

It is accepted according to what a man has and not according to what he does not have.

II. Corinthians 8:12 "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." (KJV)

Grace for those who have little or nothing to give is afforded in this verse. It is important to know that, if one has a willing mind to give, and one gives according to his ability...that is all that is required. Some teachers of prosperity encourage others to go into debt so that they may have a seed big enough to gain a larger return or some designated miracle. Such falsehood needs corrected. GOD does not require that we go into debt…for it is accepted according to what one has and not according to what one does not have. They are causing stress and not edification for good to those who heed such pleas and suggestions, adding stress to stress.

Beware of the deceitfulness of riches. Heed the words of JESUS CHRIST. The deceitfulness of riches is one of the things that can enter into the heart and choke off the word of the Kingdom of GOD and cause one to become unfruitful. The deceitfulness of riches is comparable to thorns among which the seed is sown. St. Matthew 13:22, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (KJV)

We dare not attempt to juggle the word to satisfy itching ears and the desires of the flesh; rather, we need to heed the word and sincerely follow after abundant life that is the believer’s to enjoy in truth.

Please, let go of any love of money…willingly embrace the estate of being content with a more meager form of living. Do not fall into the snare of using the principles of the prosperity teachers to attempt to become rich! The love of money is the root of all evil. Riches themselves are not necessarily evil…but there is an accompanying deceitfulness that can work against one instead of for one.

Do we not know that one of the reasons why there are so many needy teachers of truth laboring in the fields is that many ministers have become too comfortable in gleaning extra seed from the financial gifts and have increased their own estate far more than necessary. The money has not been decently distributed to other ministries who are also worthy of their hire. It would seem that the only oxen that are being muzzled are the ones laboring in the fields. They are muzzled in the sense that they do not have the privilege of partaking of the fruits of the labors. They labor to lead others to JESUS CHRIST and to bring increase to the Church of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and the local churches all too often take an unjust share of the fruit. Many pastors assume that the local church is the only storehouse and, while selectively sharing smaller amounts with selected ministries, they neglect so many frontline ministers.

The doctrine of designating your seed for the miracle you need has actually supplanted, in the minds of those who have been deceived by it, the truth of the efficacy (the power adequate to its intended purpose) of the blood of the new covenant and replaced it with a form of indulgence.

Of course, as is standard for such, elements of the prosperity doctrine are found the Scriptures on giving as JESUS CHRIST said; however, in building the doctrine, deceitful elements from the positive confession doctrine and the works doctrine are incorporated until their adherents are unable to confess the blood of JESUS CHRIST to be sufficient enough to ensure the provisions of the covenant to them.

LIKE SEED…LIKE HARVEST

Like seed…like harvest. This point, when looked at sincerely, holds a great degree of truth. Certainly, by sowing corn, we reap both corn to eat and more corn to sow. The same may be said for other seed. A harvest proportionate to the seed sown is to be expected.

One fallacy comes when it is said that if you sow money as a seed, you can name what you want as your return, be it a miracle, healing, salvation, and such. There really are things that money cannot buy. Corruptible money cannot purchase what was accomplished by the blood.

Building on the theme of like seed…like harvest, it is taught that seed of money brings harvest of money. Seed of food brings harvest of food. The list could be quite extensive. The problem with that teaching is that the principle is not entirely without fault; for, one cannot sow a healing to bring a healing. Neither can one ever hope to sow a miracle to bring a miracle. Nor can one, in the farthest stretch of the imagination, sow a seed of salvation to bring salvation.

The seed-faith doctrine is being repeatedly revised and is successfully used to cull out of the fold many innocent sheep and to sheer them and groom them for spurious, false purposes. They make merchandise of them. In the first place, they teach others to desire to be wealthy…rich in this world’s goods. This is neither teaching others to be followers of JESUS nor of HIS teachings.

The Scriptures have, as is the case with all deceitful doctrines, been twisted in an effort to use them to support and enforce the falsehood. I heard one supposed television prosperity teacher cut right through the whole library of the prosperity doctrine’s teachings and appropriately sum up their underlying statement of belief in but a few words. He said, on TBN, “You get saved and you get rich. You get saved…you get rich.” He said this several times to emphasize what he was teaching.

INDULGENCES

The prosperity teachers enter into totally forbidden areas and are guilty of bringing believers under the bondage of indulgences. It is no secret that the Roman Catholic church grants indulgences for the dead. Offerings are made to the priests for masses for the dead, that they may be released from ‘purgatory’ or have the degree of punishment lessened. It is proven in Scripture that this is an unacceptable practice, and that there is no purgatory.

It is in the same spirit of heresy that one is taught to sow a seed, that is, give an offering for salvation of a loved one; yet, the prosperity teachers seem to enjoy a self-implemented impunity while setting forth in their teachings the idea that one can obtain salvation for another by sowing a large, sacrificial seed-offering and designating that offering for that purpose. Putting it bluntly, this is none other than a blatant form of indulgence.

That doctrine undermines (attempts to tear out support beneath) the truth and purity of the covenant that has been ensured to us by the blood of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Consider the great contradiction! Far above gold, silver, and jewels, the blood of JESUS CHRIST has bound the everlasting covenant of GOD to all who come to GOD by HIM. For, if by HIS stripes we are healed, and this was provided for us by the sufferings of CHRIST, any attempt to obtain healing with an offering is, in effect, a denial of the blood that bought us. It is a denial of the effectiveness of the covenant. It is a denial of truth. It is heresy!

Hebrews 7:25 states, “Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (KJV)

The Holy Bible clearly delineates the efficacy of the blood of JESUS CHRIST and HIS position as the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. See Hebrews 8:6 “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” (KJV)

As the mediator, JESUS is the bringer of the blessings of GOD to us. HE is not at all influenced or coerced with money. There is one thing and only one thing that purchased the provisions and promises of the covenant: THE BLOOD OF JESUS. HE very well knows why HIS back was laid open with stripes, why HE was wounded and bruised, why HE was chastised, why HE endured all the sufferings and temptations and trials, and why it was necessary for the shedding of HIS blood. HE is at the right hand of THE FATHER making intercession for the saints. HE is also there to effect the provisions of the covenant to us.

HE knows very well that HIS soul was made an offering for sin; and, HE is there to effect the provision of salvation to us. GOD honors JESUS, seated at HIS right hand, and sees in HIM the perfect MEDIATOR OF THE COVENANT, the only way HE will send the provisions of the covenant upon us. When seeking a healing, a miracle, or a salvation, GOD THE FATHER does not see money; HE sees JESUS. HE sees the blood.

Consider...Hebrews 9:13-15, “For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” (KJV)

Also...I Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (KJV)

There are other wonderful Scriptures supportive of the strength of the blood of the covenant and of JESUS the MEDIATOR. I wish to reiterate the fact that salvation is provided for in the blood and body of JESUS CHRIST. An offering, regardless of size, cannot be sown for something covered by grace in the atonement. Therefore, the doctrine of prosperity has erred from the truth, has transgressed!

Now concerning healing, miracles, salvation, eternal life, and such, no seed-faith offering from one solitary penny to the sum of all the earth’s riches can ever be sufficient to obtain for us what has been already freely provided in the covenant!

The apostle Paul writes, in...Romans 8:32-33, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” (KJV)

I hope we all see that all that God has provided for us is free! How is it possible that an offering could possibly influence GOD to overlook the blood? Let us not vainly or blindly refuse what is free and ask GOD to place a price on it! Do we not yet understand how the teachers of the prosperity doctrine have erred from the truth?

A look at...Isaiah 53:5-6 and 10 will shed much light on the articles of the new covenant. I will extract only verses 5, 6, and 10: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all…

…Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” (KJV)

Those Scriptures show that salvation, healing, and all other covenant provisions were obtained for us by the sufferings of JESUS. His soul was made an offering for sin. The promises of GOD are effected toward us by the MEDIATOR JESUS CHRIST.

II. Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him A’-men, unto the glory of God by us.” (KJV)

All the promises of GOD are affirmed and forever sealed to us in JESUS CHRIST. This being the true and eternal case, then a doctrine that teaches the obtaining of salvation, miracles, or healing, by any other means than that which has been clearly set forth by our LORD HIMSELF, is as great a falsehood and blasphemy as that doctrine of purgatorial indulgences. If one should be able to give offerings to a priest for effective prayers guaranteeing lessening of sufferings for the dead, then it is acceptable that one should be able to make a seed-faith offering for some divine favor; however, since these things can never be secured by an offering of any size, we must submit to the efficacy of the blood of JESUS CHRIST.

The prosperity teachers are teaching that, for specified seed-faith offerings, GOD will favor you with salvation for your loved ones, healings, miracles, and a wide array of other things.

THE RICH JESUS

Some people, as a wolves in sheep’s clothing, come wrapped in the cloak of so-called ‘new revelation’, and place JESUS CHRIST in designer clothes, give HIM a home on Well-to-do Street, and make money-mongers out of both HIM and HIS disciples. II. Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.” (KJV)

It is so sad that, the teachers of prosperity have interpreted Scripture through a darkened kaleidoscope of deceit for so long, that they cannot even realize the truth of this Scripture. They have refused to accept that this Scripture reveals the poverty that JESUS took upon HIMSELF when HE came to earth in flesh and blood, not in immortal form and not with the riches that were HIS as creator of all things…but in flesh and blood…in a body that could suffer and die…thus becoming poor for our sakes…that, through his poverty, we can have the eternal riches of everlasting life.

Titus 2:10-11, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” (KJV)

The falsehoods of the prosperity doctrine are being taught for filthy lucre’s sake and not that the believer may be truly edified. These are vain talkers and deceivers. Their bank accounts contain your millions of dollars. You have made them rich in this world’s goods by giving them the fruits of both their labors and your labors. Much of their labor has been to get rich and to teach you to get rich. To teach that gain is godliness.

We can take no genuine stand against God-given wealth; however, with riches comes this admonition: I. Timothy 6:17-19, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

That they do good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (KJV)

The rich must not trust in uncertain riches but must be willing to distribute of their riches to others who are genuinely in need. It has to be said that this does not encourage the rich to lay up in store for themselves an earthly foundation, for this would be contrary to the instruction not to lay up treasure for ourselves on earth but to lay up treasure in Heaven. This is more a spiritual admonition to lay up against the time when they, in not being in love with this world’s riches, may enjoy the riches of eternal life.

GAIN AS GODLINESS

Not enough emphasis can be put on the fact that it is wrong to think of gain as godliness. Consider the following excerpt from...I. Timothy 6:5, “Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (KJV)

Likewise, not enough emphasis can be put on realizing that godliness with contentment is great gain. I. Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (KJV)

These days, being content with godliness is not the main thrust of teaching. Teachings prevail that, when fully embraced and believed, nurture one into being a malcontent and a wealth seeker. Consider the following verses: I. Timothy 6:7-14, “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.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnesses a good confession;

That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (KJV)

Beloved, when John was writing about wishing that we prosper even as our soul prospers, he was not encouraging us to transgress and seek uncertain riches.

III. John 2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (KJV)

Tell me, if you will admit it, who it was that made gain a measuring stick with which to vilify the poor as being ungodly or of having sin in their lives? I will help you answer that, because I know who it was. It was the teachers of the prosperity doctrine. In passing on this deception to others, they have succeeded in turning eyes from the cries of the needy, who are godly and whom the rich need to distribute to without any implication or insinuation that there is sin in their lives.

For…James wrote these insightful words: James 2:1-10, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

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?

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and offend in one point, is guilty of all.” (KJV)

It is not instruction from a spiritual mind to equate being rich with godliness, but…"...hath not GOD chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?

Can a poor man be rich in faith? If we believe what James wrote, we will have to respond with an honest ‘yes’. A poor man can be very close to GOD. Leave off the judgment of the poor and share of what we have been blessed with. For, if there were no needy people there would be no need to give. Know this! If there were no need to give, then what would be the need for us to prosper above our basic needs? If we have prospered, it is not for our sole use but also for the purpose of balance in the body…of assisting those in need. We must, if we want to obey the word of GOD, be willing to distribute and communicate. I do not mean be willing to sow a self-serving seed-faith offering to increase our own financial estate. That is not the distribution of which is spoken. It is a sad thing to see the rich bless the rich and upbraid the poor for being poor. The rich are praised and the poor are looked down on.

Does it mean that we are to prefer poverty to being blessed with abundance? No, it simply means that we acknowledge that we should learn contentment in whatever state we are in. Riches in themselves are not a sin…but, the love of money is the root of all evil. Poverty is not a sin…but, the pursuit of wealth is forbidden to the believer. Take that up with the apostles and do not stir up trouble me with any complaints about the Scriptural warnings against striving to be rich.

The apostle Peter spoke some awesome words to Simon, a converted sorcerer, who offered him money so that whomsoever he would lay hands on might receive the HOLY GHOST. Peter said, in...Acts 8:20-21, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” (KJV) Peter then told him to repent of this wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps thought of his heart would be forgiven him.

It would seem proper to call those members of the body of CHRIST, who have been exercised in the depths of the doctrine of prosperity, as taught by so many teachers of error, to repentance. If we have been attempting to sow a seed-faith offering for a healing, a miracle, or such, let us now take this opportunity to turn from this deception and pray to GOD that this be forgiven.

It is time for the Church of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to return to the sound doctrine as already set forth by the SPIRIT OF THE LORD in the form of rock-solid revelation...real revelation knowledge. This real revelation knowledge of which I speak is not some ‘new thing’. So much of what is called revelation knowledge today is incorrect doctrine. Those ministers and teachers who are irreverently and improperly referred to and maliciously slandered as ‘Old-Order’ possessed a valid revelation from GOD, one which any proud, self-proclaimed ‘New-Order’ ministers would do well to learn from instead of debunking, contradicting, and opposing sound doctrine.

MIRACLE SEED?

It is also error to suppose that any corruptible seed may become incorruptible, simply because it is sown as a seed-faith offering into what they refer to as good ministry soil. Then, supposedly, as an incorruptible seed, the offering bears tremendous power with GOD. This is similar in structure to the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, where they erroneously teach that the communion wafer is mystically turned into the actual body of CHRIST.

There is no mystery of any kind in the giving of an offering. There is no transformation from corruptible dollars to incorruptible dollars. The money given is still in its natural form and bears no supernatural purchasing power with our HEAVENLY FATHER. Our money does not become a miraculously changed bargaining chip!

In an attempt to establish validity and to push aside the truth on giving, they use various biblical events involving miracles as examples. For instance, they use the story of JESUS feeding the multitude, as recorded in St. John 6:5-14. The crowd probably well exceeded 5,000, due to the fact that women and children were also present. JESUS desired to feed them and, after a small discussion with Philip over insufficient money to buy bread for them, was informed by Peter that a young lad there had five barley loaves and two small fishes.

After JESUS had made sure that the multitude was seated, HE took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those seated. HE did the same with the fishes, as much as they would. When they were filled, HE had HIS disciples gather up the remaining fragments, requiring that nothing be lost. In gathering the fragments, they filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

In quoting this last verse of the stirring story, it reads in...St. John 6:14, “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.” (KJV)

Of course I paraphrased the story, but, we can read the actual account for ourselves and search for any indication that the lad was sowing a seed-faith offering or that the twelve baskets of fragments were given to the lad in return for his contribution. Those things have been added to the story in order that they may use the account to support the prosperity doctrine.

The fact that JESUS CHRIST was the MEDIATOR of this miracle is not given fair attention. There is no statement of seed-faith found within the story or of JESUS teaching on an abundant harvest. The fact that the life was in the world and touched the loaves and fishes is worthy of more discussion than is given in their mishandling of the story, but cannot be largely discussed herein. I am making an effort to point out that this story is not a seed-faith story but it is a glory of GOD story.!

Other stories are used, such as that of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. We may read this story in I Kings 17:8-16; however, we will not find this to be an example of seed-faith giving, particularly not as the prosperity teachers tell it. There is no indication that she had any expectancy of a miracle. She did not give with the selfish thought of return; at least there is no supportive reasoning for such a thing. Some use the story to squeeze money from gullible, trusting people. I say this because some have a disgusting way of trying to get people to go beyond their ability to give, thereby making their burden no lighter.

SOME OTHER ABUSES

Using ‘Christianized’ Numerology to obtain money

Using Old Testament Feasts to bring people under bondage to giving ‘special offerings” and to bring people under bondage to holy days

Using the day of atonement to secure offerings and to bring people under bondage to holy days

Telling Christians that they should not come to the man of GOD without an offering

Pumping money from believers while promising them the wealth of the wicked

The list would go on and on…there are so many devices for taking offerings. It seems like offering gurus abound in the prosperity doctrine.

WHAT PURPOSE THEN HAS GIVING?

Paul wrote, in...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.” (KJV)

The act of giving is truly a blessedness. While HE did not say it is not blessed to receive, HE did say that it is more blessed to give.

Reiterating that the instructions of our LORD JESUS on giving were balanced with a blessing of receiving, the greater blessedness was said of HIM to be in giving.

The promises of GOD and JESUS CHRIST are so true. GOD has indeed provided for blessings on our giving. This is wonderfully undeniable and must be duly considered, believed, and embraced as Church doctrine. We must, however, keep within the word of GOD and not become inordinate in our giving: we must not turn the purpose of giving into self gain.

There is proper provision for both giving and receiving with the child of GOD. Giving does not, cannot, shall not and will not effect the provisions of the covenant to us. JESUS does this through the blood of the covenant! The disciples were told by our LORD JESUS...St. Matthew 10:7-8, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (KJV)

The clear word is…freely ye have received, freely give. All these things were to be done without asking for offerings or using the power of the desire to be touched by GOD as a lever to get money.

Please, do not misinterpret this to imply that we do not believe in offerings.

Money is not necessary to get a blessing from GOD. Rejoice! The poor can come before GOD without a penny. There is no New Testament Scripture that tells us that we have to have an offering when we come before a minister. Freely the minister has received and freely the minister is to give. Do not let such that say that convince you that you must bring money to an altar before you should feel justified for being there to receive prayer.

This is the provision of grace. The gifts were gifts. The things of divine nature were gifts. The workings of healings and miracles were freely given; and, no demand of any kind could ever be placed on the exercise of what was freely given by GOD. To teach men to render something natural in exchange for the freely given things of GOD is to teach them that GOD’s favors may be bought with corruptible things.

Our giving is to be done with simplicity and love. Our giving it to be done with the single-hearted purpose of being a blessing to others, not shaded with the thought of gain. Our giving is not to be at all burdensome, but is to be a reflection of the free giving of GOD toward us. In this way we show the unbiased love of GOD toward others.

It is not the rich man giving so that he might gain a huge return on an investment and become richer, or the poor man giving so that he might become rich as the rich man, but a willing sharing of substance, regardless of one’s estate, for the glory of GOD. The provision has been made for prosperity; but, it is wrong to handle that prosperity with the intent to gain what is provided for freely with CHRIST JESUS! It becomes works instead of grace, an attempt to put a premium on the provisions endowed by the blood. It is a compounded wrong to sow that prosperity for blessings of divine nature from GOD, when the blessings are provided for us in the covenant through the blood of JESUS CHRIST!

While we walk as followers of CHRIST, we should then be an example of unselfishness to others. It is a selfish act of giving to sow your gift to some poor person, not being moved by the need, but by thoughts of the size of your own harvest. Where is the love of GOD today in giving?

Almsgivings and offerings are part of our Christian discipleship. Giving is an absolute of the love of GOD. We are under grace, not works, and are to give accordingly. All healings, miracles, and salvations are blood covenant provisions, effected by CHRIST JESUS and not by the size of a seed-faith offering.

Men cannot give miracles into our bosom, but GOD can and does cause men to give unto us natural things in abundance. We already have the blessings of GOD on us through JESUS CHRIST; so, just give freely, and leave the provision of return in HIS hands. Never underestimate the willingness of GOD to save souls, heal the sick, work miracles, and freely give us all things.

Remember the invitation of our LORD JESUS CHRIST as recorded in...Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let hem that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” (KJV)

It is recorded in...Isaiah 55:1, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (KJV)

WE ARE UNDER GRACE!

Praise GOD! When teaching about need and seed proportions, the teachers of seed-faith definitely teach that one should go beyond what is in one’s possession, even borrowing if necessary, to gain a sizable seed, thereby guaranteeing a bountiful harvest.

It is not Scriptural that one should go into deeper poverty to give; but, rather, that one should give freely, according to his own ability, as he has purposed in his own heart, no matter how small.

If the material need is great, it is most likely that the amount given by many will be small, but may still be given cheerfully, freely, and unsparingly. The smallness of the seed is not to be misjudged as a sparing seed. No loan is necessary! If a poor person has only a penny, a widow’s mite, to give beyond their sustenance, their means of living, and gives it cheerfully, unsparingly, without grudge, and not because of necessity, GOD will weigh the matter and bless that one accordingly. If one shares of their meager substance freely, that sharing is not to be judged by men but by GOD.

My conclusion is, that so they may take away your liberty, placing you under bondage to works and not permitting you to walk in grace, they promise you liberty. They speak of covenant but remove the efficacy of the blood of JESUS CHRIST from it in their teachings. They make merchandise of you, teaching things that they ought not for filthy money and profit. Gain is their greatest measuring stick for godliness. They oppose much of godliness by calling it mere tradition. They teach others to not be content with such things as they have and set them on an unscriptural pursuit of wealth that could very well cause hurt to many.

The idea of gain is dangled so persistently and effectively in front of us that, too often, godly instructions on being careful about trying to be rich are tossed aside. The prosperity doctrine is indeed dressed in glitter and presents a persuading enticement for others to embrace it. Promises of riches and wealth, or abundance for self-comfort are the goads.

The principles that are portrayed as godly stones in the stair to your self-created image of success may more correctly be described as stumbling stones to godliness.

It is time to come out from those who teach such things; and declare the blood of the covenant to be sufficient for your healings, miracles, salvation, and such.

Mark them! Avoid them! They have caused divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which is according to godliness. Read Romans 16:17.

WE ARE UNDER GRACE.

[John T. Wakefield]

Yes and amen. So perfictly put. Thank You. I Hope This Helps to
Expose other False Teachings That Rob Beleavers Of The Power
Of The BLOOD.