Christians beware!

Christians beware
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
                                                                                                          Matthew 7:15-23

Not so long ago at our midweek the topic of what ministry people should support came up. It came up because we were discussing the verse quoted above.
We noted that while the majority of ministries in the media are honest and good ministries doing there best to follow the word of God, there are some many that are not. Not only that some of those who are not true Christians are very high profile.
We was noted that not all who claim to be Christian are. They claim to have done miracles even cast out demons. Yet they do not know the Lord.
Many in the media especially put on a good show. They quote scripture and make it sound right yet they may not know the Lord. As someone said just because you can quote scripture and make it sound good does not make you a Christian.
One person even noted that Al Capone the famous gangster made himself look good by setting up a soup kitchen for the needy.
The same can be true of charlatans in the Christian community.
The conclusion we came to was beware. That before you support a ministry check their theology against the Bible. Are they quoting scripture in context or are they twisting it to make it sound good?
Beware of those who are asking for money. Especially those who are promising that if you give to God, He will give you back a ten, hundred or a thousand fold increase on what you give. That you will get back more than you give. The so called prosperity doctrine, or give to get theology.
Such theology sounds good after all who wouldn’t want ten, or a hundred fold return on their giving? But it’s wrong. God is not a super banker giving extreme interest on your investment.
You should be giving to the Lord’s work because you want to, not with the intention of getting any return.
Ask the ministry you wish to support to give a financial accounting.
Our church here in Canada is required to make an accounting of where every penny goes to the congregation every year. We even know the pastors salary. The same standard should go for any ministry individuals support. All expenses including the evangelist or pastors salary should be documented publicly.
Today with the internet it’s easy to check up on various ministries. You can also contact the ministry direct and ask them to give an accounting. If they refuse to give you that accounting then don’t support them.
Also be careful about the claims a ministry makes. Miracles do happen, but there are many in the media that are making false claims and refuse to give independent verification of the miracles.
The rule is if it’s too good to be true then it may not be true, is a good rule to follow.
The key I believe is to first and foremost support your local congregation where you are certain you know where the money is being spent wisely.
The other important thing is to spend time in prayer and ask God where you should give your money. Many Christians give more than their tithe.
The tithe should go to the congregation you are attending. As one person told me give to where you are being fed.
Any other money that is given to Christian causes should be done so with prayer. Again I firmly believe you should give to missions or other Christian causes through your local congregation as the money can be tracked and accounted for.
Please think about it.