"God's Word proclaims that His grace is "sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Because of God's grace, He wants to restore your home, your favor, your protection, your fellowship with Him, and so much more. And I truly believe that as you take part in this great challenge as we match this $2.5 million gift together, you will see a miraculous breakthrough in breaking the bondages of debt during the next 90 days."
Yes, God's Word does indeed say that His grace is sufficient for thee but this was in response to the Apostle Paul asking for the removal of the thorn that was tormenting him and the answer from God was -- NO. So not only is he making an obvious shill for money but he cannot even correctly cite Scripture. The key verses state that many will follow the evil teaching and shameful immorality. Many follow Hinn and his compadres of prosperity heresy. The next part of the key verses is what is often overlooked. It is because of these teachers that the way of truth will be slandered! What do you think the world sees when they see Benny Hinn? They see a snake oil salesman who is only after their money and you know what? They are right! But because he wraps up his thievery in the name of Jesus, it is the name of Jesus that suffers the blemishes. When I speak to unbelievers the number one reason they do not go to church, after the perception of hypocrisy, is that they think all they want is your money. What happens to all those people that send in their seed and the money doesn't double? What happens to their faith? Benny Hinn still has his private jet but they are left out in the cold. Christians lose any moral authority when the people with the loudest microphones are in the business of fleecing the flock. If you are unsure about what I am saying, just look at the next sentence from the key verses:
In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. -- 2Peter 2: 3 (NLT)
Clever lies to get a hold of your money. That may as well be the slogan for Benny Hinn Ministries. How clever is it to use God to convince people to send you money? To promise a double return from God? It may be very clever in the carnal but there will be an eternal consequence. This sort of behavior is not new beloved; not at all:
You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us. -- 2Corinthians 2: 17 (NLT)
This is Paul explaining the difference between real teachers and false teachers. We do not preach for personal profit. This is not to say that a workman is not worth his wages but you cross a decency line somewhere between poverty and riding in a private jet between your million dollars mansions while you have the audacity to ask people in debt to send you more money. You cross over into huckster when your motivation is no longer pure. Paul said woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel! We preach because we have been called by God, not for personal profit. That does not mean God may not add a personal profit to the preaching but once that profit becomes the motivation you have moved from preacher to huckster. The first difference we see here is one of sincerity.
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I'm not exaggerating--just telling the truth. -- 1Timothy 2: 5-7 (NLT)
As preachers we must be sincere with the Gospel message entrusted to us. The message that Jesus Christ died for. Hucksters such as Hinn do not pass the smell test. I often hear people defend the other type of false teacher, the one who may be sincere, by saying you have to get to know him/her. No we do not. We are to judge people by their fruits. If you tell 45,000 people that this is their year for supernatural blessing your personal sincerity of belief is irrelevant because the statement is not sincere to the Gospel. If the preaching you are hearing is not sincere to the Gospel -- run! If the focus is on Jesus and not your money -- stay.
