If you really want to get folks to open their wallets, you should . . .

(Don Fortner)

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?" Ezekiel 34:2

While eating lunch at one of our favorite restaurants a few years ago, my wife and I could not help overhearing the conversation of two men sitting next to us. They were preachers. One was a young pastor. His guest was a middle-aged evangelist. I listened as the older man gave instructions to the younger man.

He talked about one trick and then another to get men and women to give their money, having special meetings to teach people to give, etc. Every word they spoke to one another was about how to get people's money. Finally, the older preacher said, "If you really want to get folks to open their wallets, you should . . .", and proceeded to suggests another method of religious thievery as the young pastor sat spell-bound before his advisor.

In the thirty or forty minutes it took us to eat, not one word was spoken about God, His Son, His glory, His grace, His salvation, or the souls of men. The whole conversation was about raising money!

Because it was a public place, and I was not a part of the conversation, I chose to say nothing; but I said to my wife, "I would like to say to that young man: If you will preach the free, saving grace of God in Christ three times a week to them, God's people will give generously because they want to. You will not have to trick them to give."

My abhorrence of such men is inexpressible. They are self-serving thieves! God's people do not have to be tricked into opening their wallets, or talked into being generous; nor will they be threatened into tithing.


Arthur Pink: "Beware of all who solicit money! There are few things we loathe more than to see those professing to be engaged in a work of faith, soliciting money. We sincerely trust that many of these bogus 'faith' enterprises, which have for so long preyed upon a credulous public, will soon go out of business. The world will be no worse off, and God will be less dishonored."

"I will not burden you, for I am not  seeking what you have, but you." 2 Corinthians 12:14

"Unlike so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit." 2 Corinthians 2:17