My 2 Cents

So the other day I flipped on the TV and was rolling through the channels and stumbled on a famous "Christian" TV channel. Just my luck, they were having their "Spring Share-A-Thon" (AKA their time of the year where they bring in the "Big dogs" to convince us to give an offering....errr.....sow a seed into their ministry). The guy on the screen looked me in the eye and told me he heard God say I was to sow a $1000 seed because 1000 represents the millennial reign of Jesus. I promptly turned the TV off. A few minutes later, out of a morbid curiosity I turned the praise-a-thon back on....another preacher looked me in the eye telling me I needed to sow $40 a month because 40 represents the years of wilderness wanderings (yeah! I want that!) and the 40 days Jesus fasted....I promptly turned it off again. Call me stupid, but I turned it on later and another guy was trying to convince me to give $240 a month because 24 represents the hours that God can turn my situation around...(24 Hrs.?.....good night!!! an aspirin works Faster!!!!)

I told my wife, as God being my witness, "the first man that preaches that God told him that I am supposed to give 2 Penny's.... I'm calling up TBN and cutting a check right then and there!" After all, wasn't it the little old lady who drew the attention of Jesus when she gave 2 Penny's? Why can't my 2 Penny's represent something? Why does it always have to be extravagant in man's estimation?

I post this partly in jest, however, It got me to think about a couple of things.
1. Is it this type of spiritual arrogance that represents our church to people who might be curious about Christianity? They may be too timid to enter a church building or even a small group so they flip on one of these channels and that is what is supposed to represent us? (Scary!!!! no wonder masses of people are tripping over each other trying distance themselves from mainline Christianity.)
2. Is it possible to hide behind, "Thus saith the Lord!"?

I don't like the thought of being jerked around by a guy or an organization that is out for something to gain... and I don't mean my soul either! (read my last post to read the other side). When speaking for God, I have learned that it is no small thing. Whether I'm preaching behind a lectern, counseling a young couple or prophesying over someone, it is not up to me to conjure up something that I have created in my mind of what I want to see happen for someone else. It can be potentially devastating.

Oh wait... the preacher on the TV is telling me what my $1200 represents! Gotta go.