8 BOCNEWS.com JUNE 2018 1. Brian C. Wilson - A Great Work 2. Kelontae Gavin - Higher Experience 3 Maranda Curtis - Open Heaven 4. Jordan Feliz - Future 5. Jason Crabb - Unexpected 6. Snoop - Bible Of Love 7. Brooklyn Tabernacle - I Am Reminded 8. Jonathan Mcreynolds - Makeroom 9. Williams Brothers - Timeless 10 Todd Dulaney - Your Great Name Addicted to the Money "Does God want you to be rich? Yes, say some megachurches. Others call it heresy. The debate over the gospel of wealth" — Time Magazine. When it comes to giving, there are a few things you need to know. First of all, are you giving to your church, or are you giving to your pas- tor? What does Jesus have to say? 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows spar- ingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his HEART to give, not RELUCTANTLY or under COMPULSION, for God loves a cheerful giver. As it is written: He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures for- ever." Is it the pastors responsibility to make sure that the giver is not being PRESSURED into giving? Do you need a one hour inspirational pep talk to be emotionaly stimulated to give? Think about it for a minute. What are your true motives for giving? Are you giving from your heart to the poor? Malachi teaches that we are robbing God in tithes and offer- ings and that the whole nation will be under a curse. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there will be "FOOD" in my house" (Mal 3:8-10). What does that mean? That means that we need to give to a sound Biblical cause, if you are going to reap the benifits. Now, I know that some churches traditionally have a food bank or a Sunday morning bread line. Praise the Lord! That's great! Are there other reasons to give to the church or ministry besides supporting the food bank. Well, you for sure need to give to support your pastors NEEDS. If you dont, he will be standing in the homeless breadline and sleeping in his car. You for sure need to give so that the church can keep the doors open. Unfortunately, most church goers today will not listen or respect a pastor that is standing in the bread line. They want to listen to a pastor that has the appearance of financial success. 2000 years ago, Jesus confronted the religious leaders in the temple courts because they had different motives. They were not listening to God's instructions through Malachi. They were turning God's house into a money making market place. The temple was the first and last great public act of His ministry. Jesus, in His righteous anger walked in, turned over the tables, pulled out a whip and chased out all who were trading in the temple courts. "Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Fathers house into a market." "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers (Jn 2:16, Lk 19:45- 46). I'm sure that some of the reli- gious folks were recommending anger management classes for Jesus. They most likely didn't have a clue of why He was upset. To them, selling doves and trading in the temple courts was a simple tradition that was passed down from generation to generation. They were clueless concerning God's will. What about today? Is it a simple tradition to take up an offering for the needs of the church, the pastor and the new building fund? How much money is really going for the build- ing fund and how much is going to the pastor. Does the pastor have a conservative car, house and lifestyle? Or, does he travel from state to state in his luxury car or jet, all financed by the church, so that he can support his side time business and minis- try income. Do you know what your pastors salary is? Should the people know? I personally know that modern day pastors are in the habit of convincing their congregations that God is send- ing all the new faces, and that the church needs to give to support God's work. Is it really God who is caus- ing the increase in numbers, or is it the popular modern day inspirational message that says " Just put your trust in Him, and GIVE, and you will be blessed?" I remember several years ago when their was a boarder line church split over this very issue. People found out how much the pastor was making and many left the church. Another pastor, claiming to be God's anointed messenger, who was also peaching about the money, had to step down for commiting audultery. There has been several news paper articles within the past few years, exposing popular pas- tors for the misuse of church funds. What is really going on? "The gospel of prosparity. But who really prospers?"(News report). Most of these pastors were hiding behind scripture that says, "don't judge lest you be judged." What does the Word truly teach us about giving in the last days. Does the Lord caution believers about those in leadership who are "ADDICTED" to the love of money? Again, news papers have exposed several well known and popular preachers who have been caught dipping into the till. It appears, that these preachers, who were exposed for the misuse of church funds, are deliberately living in Biblical ERROR! That's why there has been no outward recognitions of repentance (Heb 10:26). The apostle Paul teaches "These people (pastors) always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy" (1 Tim 6:3-5 NLT). Paul goes on to say to those who are addicted to the money in verses 9-10, "But people who long to be rich fall By Michael Forti END TIMES Michael Forti Modern day pastors are in the habit of convincing their congregations that God is sending all the new faces, and that the church needs to give to support God's work. Continued on Page 9