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July 19, 2004
Robert Tilton: Desperate Times?
I was relaxing and watching a bit of TV flipping
through the channels to see what I could find. As I looked for something
interesting I stopped at the sight of Robert Tilton, on his
Success-In-Life program, pitching his new book (skinny pamphlet) titled
"How to Become Rich and Have Everything You Ever Wanted." The
taping of this program had been carefully set up at a location that
looked like the richest part of Florida, at a large, expensive villa
having a beautiful pool of water at its front, surrounded by trees and
flowers next to a very wide canal with large, expensive yachts at an
exclusive club in the background.
As he pitched his new book, he preached from selective
portions of the Scriptures supporting his own rich and lavish lifestyle.
He made statements that the book and its title were supported by
various bible verses which he proceeded to quote from memory. (How many
years has he been fleecing the flock with these selected scripture
verses?)
There was a sense of desperation he portrayed as
he spoke to the viewers of making that "vow" of $5,000 dollars with a
sure guarantee that God would bless them in their obedience to call him
and donate. Gone was the subtle seduction that we have come to expect
from his performance and replaced by a move to a deeper realm of
greediness, to those willing to sell their souls for money. You could
almost tell that if this doesn't work then it will be our fault that his
kingdom will fall.
He spent much of his pitch trying to convince me, the
viewer, that this is what Jesus wanted me to do, with all the selective
proof texts to back him up. His marketing people must have realized that
there has been a further deterioration concerning the love of the truth
or maybe he is himself losing ground financially and must come up with a
grander scheme to defraud the sheep of their possessions.
Because many Christians do not have a depth of
knowledge of the Scriptures, they are not able to see through his scam.
This is a man whose teachings are so aberrant that the simplest ability
to discern the truth should be enough to recognize the error in what he
pitches.
The word speaks clearly of the deceitfulness of
riches:
Matthew 13
22He
also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word;
and the care of this world, and the
deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23But
he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the
word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth
forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Emphasis mine)
Mark 4
18And
these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19And
the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the
lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh
unfruitful.
20And
these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word,
and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty,
and some an hundred. (Emphasis mine)
1 Timothy 6
6But
godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For
we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out.
8And
having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9But
they that will be rich fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men
in destruction and perdition.
10For
the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows.
11But
thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12Fight
the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art
also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses. (Emphasis mine)
The word of God plainly tells us not to long for or
seek wealth or riches, that this will lead us to ruin and destruction.
Not a very pleasant picture for those who preach the "Prosperity Gospel"
which is another gospel, for which Paul says in Galatians 1:9, "let him
be accursed."
This sad attempt to bring us to another level of
deception by a desperate man preaching another gospel should be telling
us something about the overall condition of the body of Christ. But then
again, we are responsible for our own deception. This brings to mind the
typical worldly clichés; "let the buyer
beware" or "a sucker is born every minute." Everything Robert
Tilton pitched tells me there sure seem to be a lot of "Christian"
suckers out there!
Steve Muse, Eastern Regional Watch
Please send us any comments at:
smuse@erwm.com
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