7. Testing IHOPKC teachings and practices about money.
For over twenty years, I was a pastor of a small church with four children and my wife did not work outside the home. We lived on a small salary from the church. We understood that there were always two truths in tension. Those truths were and still are:
God’s support of our Pastoral Ministry and
God’s requirement that I provide for my family.
I have served God as a pastor with a full-time job. I have served God as a pastor with my own business. And the majority of the time, since I was ordained at 30 years old, I have served God with only our local church’s small support.
I say this to put into perspective what I am about to write about living on little and sacrificing to serve God. I am not against anyone living simply and responsibly to serve God in any ministry. BUT one of my spiritual fathers taught me a valuable lesson. Jack Hayford taught us young pastors, “God supports His work on Earth.” If God is not supporting the work, find out why. My life is living proof that God is faithful to support ALL those He calls into part-time or full-time ministry. Ministries should be supported above the poverty level except for a few “testing” seasons.
Because there were few functioning pastors at IHOPKC (for reasons already mentioned) most of the hard working, faithful staff members were never taught a balanced approach to God’s support, their responsibility to support their families, and being a faithful steward in all areas of finances. Jesus’ words have directed my life.
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? Luke 16:10-11. NASB emphasis mine
Why did IHOPKC teach that The American Dream was sinful and selfish?
The first reason may be that they had a false definition of what is - The American Dream. My book Is God A Capitalist? (found on Amazon or my website – text me and I will send you a free copy) defines how America was established on the Bible’s truths about justice and money.
Communists, socialists and the anti-christ spirit all teach against Free Enterprise and American values. This deceives the world and keeps the majority on the Earth poor and dying. As the church teaches The American Dream, we will learn Biblical Principles that are the opposite of what satan is teaching the world. AND WE SHOULD BE LEARNING AND LIVING THESE PRINCIPLES. Many leaders have been seduced by the Central Control Doctrines of Finance – that will be used to control the Earth’s Economic Systems. My book has detailed scriptures that support the American Free Enterprise System’s righteousness.
The teaching “Being poor makes you more spiritual or more mature than other Christians.”
… make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NASB emphasis mine
Paul wanted those in the first century church to NOT HAVE ANY NEED.
“Being Poor is more spiritual,” is an ancient concept that pre-dates Christianity and is NOT in the Law of Moses. This concept is in many non-Christian religions and is seen in Roman Catholic teachings. The teaching that doing without something makes you “better” is humanism and is not in the Bible.
Being “Poor” is subjective as is the concept of being “Rich.” There were many rich servants of God in the Bible. Let us use Paul’s term, “not be in any need.” In most of the world that makes you NOT POOR. So, in Paul’s language, Followers of Christ should not be POOR – excluding times of testing and seasons of sacrifice that only last for a small percentage of a faithful Christian’s life.
Many Christians know one of my favorite scriptures. I had it on the dashboard of my 1967 Cougar, when I was in High School. “I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.” As life brought challenges, I would use this scripture as my starting point. I still do. But most people do not quote the verse that comes before it. Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
In context the “ALL THINGS” of verse 13 is talking about money and how Christ helps us in every circumstance of life.
We now know that while some of the top leaders were living with NO NEED, many of the faithful staff were living in poverty, for years at a time. These were not Testing Seasons. This was systemic to how STAFF was to live. There were few functioning pastors to help many find God’s will for their financial life.
This subject is large but I will give you a few of my observations of IHOPKC money doctrines and how they led some young people to miss God’s will for their life.
1. Used the commitment to the prayer room as a reason to not have money to help their parents. The doctrine of honoring parents ignored in most cases. I have written a book about the subject of adults Honoring their Parents (The Hidden Promise) and would be happy to send you a Free copy. This subject is not taught or understood in our current Chrisitan culture. Jesus said:
Mark 7:10-12 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
2. Paul states a Fact – that was overlooked by many in the prayer room.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
3. Paul’s instruction of how the church supports “Widows Indeed,” asks all families to financially support their widowed – aged parents.
I Timothy 5:3-4 Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
4. A vow of poverty can be based in hidden pride.
Most sacrifices that ministries experience are not associated with living without their basic needs. Most sacrifices have to do with our dying to self and loving someone by serving without reward. Of course, our reward is in Heaven and we are also rewarded seeing God’s smiling face as we do what we would not do. But as stated early, “Being in NEED,” is not God’s will as a life goal. So any vow of poverty is NOT BIBLICAL. It is cult-like.
5. This misunderstanding of the doctrines of poverty and money allowed many to be lazy and miss God’s call on their lives.
I am not judging anyone’s heart motives, but many committed TOO MANY HOURS sitting in the pray room. IHOPKC had no structure to help people find God’s will, if that meant NOT being in the Prayer Room. As I heard well respected leaders say, “There are many in the prayer room that should NOT be there.” I agree.
6. God’s call for ALL of his children is to be good stewards of their time, assets, relationships and ministry callings.
If Jesus is always LORD of our lives and the Holy Spirit is director and guide, we should ALL please God with our lifestyles and stewardship of what God has given us.
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