Christian radio show host and bestselling author Michael Brown says there is a vast difference between faith and foolishness. He says he is dismayed since a lot of people have been confusing the two, and now so-called prophets are taking advantage of this confusion.
"Quite a few years ago, I had to stop watching certain Christian TV shows (or even networks) because of the corrupt fundraising that would take place, as biblical holy days were exploited for sacrificial offerings and manipulative fundraisers worked their magic," he writes in an article for Charisma News.
Brown says it is okay for these shows to preach about Jesus Christ, but it's very wrong for them to "turn His powerful message into a plea for funds."
"What a repulsive perversion of this sacred time in the Saviour's life," says Brown. "The fact that this kind of stuff 'works' means nothing to me. On the contrary, it only adds to the culpability of the fundraiser and of the network using his services. Shame on them all for their actions."
Just last year, Brown says a "prophet" made an appearance on a well-known Christian programme and declared that there would be a terrible disaster that would take place in a month. The "prophet" claimed that those who will donate $1,000 will be spared from the disaster, along with their families.
The disaster did not happen.
"This is an abomination, and it is in complete violation of the letter and spirit of prophetic ministry in the Bible," says Brown.
He says he has already reached out to these Christian programmes in hopes of putting an end to their "corrupt game."
For now, Brown is advising people to exercise more caution and not fall for fraudulent practices such as these.
"To be clear, I believe in sowing and reaping, I believe that God is an abundant provider, and I do not believe that being poor is a sign of spirituality or that the less we have, the holier we are," he says. "But I absolutely oppose 'prophetic' manipulation, and for those promising riches to everyone who will plant a sacrificial 'seed' in their ministry."
