THE DAYSTAR SPRING 2007 SHARE-A-THON was in full swing from March 19^th until April 2^nd. In the two weeks of this fundraiser, I saw nothing different from past fund raisers Daystar has done. Maybe that’s because Daystar kept airing video from their past fund raisers. Most of what was aired was from the Fall 2006 Share-a-Thon, so I had already seen it, and gave my report (see volumes 13 and 14 of the Noble Berean Newsletter).

Be that as it may, I still need to report on the Spring 2007 Daystar Share-a-Thon, because this is something that cannot be ignored, or downplayed simply because they kept airing re-runs. The same pleading and begging were very much abounding with the Lord “speaking” to the TV preachers so many different dollar amounts for the faithful to give, I had lost track! Marcus Lamb, who with his wife Joni, run the Daystar TV Network, kept getting interrupted mid-sentence from the Lord “telling” him all these amounts, such as 120 people to give $1000, give $58.00 a month for twelve months, or there are those who can give $10,000 and so on…Like I said, I could not keep up!

Even with all the re-runs airing, there were a few live segments. The featured guest for most of them was our friend Mike Murdock. Murdock has many notable accomplishments. He has authored 115 books and claims to have composed more than 6000 songs. But moreover, Murdock is a master salesman that can sell you virtually anything you don’t need or want! No kidding! I really think he could!

This time around, he was pitching his book "Jesus Was a Double Diamond: 58 Master Secrets for Total Success.” Murdock shared 8 points in which he calls "some of the secrets of Jesus.” Think of it! An eight-point formula to have the same success as Jesus! What are these eight points you may ask? Well, let’s take a look:

1) Jesus had something others needed – Salvation, which Murdock never mentioned!

2) Jesus believed in His product – Salvation of mankind…a product??

3) Jesus was a problem solver – Sin being our problem, again Murdock never mentioned!

4) Jesus offered incentives – Eternal life…an incentive??

5) Jesus networked with people of varied backgrounds – No, Jesus SAVES people from varied backgrounds!

6) Jesus went where He was celebrated, instead of where He was tolerated – Just like He was celebrated in Nazareth? (Luke 4:16-30)

7) Jesus pursued the mentorship of more experienced men (Jesus at 12 years old in the temple) – He was not looking for “mentors”, nor did He have need of them, in fact these “experienced” men were amazed at His understanding! – (Luke 2:46-47)

8) Jesus understood seed-faith – Jesus knew of sowing the seed of the Word of God, not a financial pledge to a “Christian” TV network! – (Luke 8:11)

At this point Mike Murdock then wants to pray for 300 people to become millionaires from the teaching from his book. He does not even use the Bible! Of course, this is understandable since there is absolutely no mention of praying for people to become millionaires in scripture!

This is incredible! Murdock uses marketing tactics to describe the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and demotes Jesus, Whom Matthew's Gospel calls the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16), to nothing more than a “Double Diamond” multi-level marketing expert who shares the “secrets of His success” with those who will “obey” and call in a pledge to Daystar! From Mike Murdock’s own words:

"God is a business man" – (Daystar Spring 2007 Share-a-Thon, March 24^th 2007)

In saying such a ridiculous and blasphemous statement, Murdock is lowering the Almighty and Sovereign God of the Universe to nothing more than a successful entrepreneur! But wait! It gets better!!

"I believe, according to scripture, that the reason we're to sow seeds into God's work is not to pay bills, not to just pay for light bills. I believe the reason for sowing seed is to document our trust in God and authorize Him to become our business partner"- (Daystar Spring 2007 Share-a-Thon, March 24^th 2007)

WE CAN AUTHORIZE GOD TO BECOME OUR BUSINESS PARTNER? What could Murdock possibly be thinking in making such a statement? WE cannot authorize God to do ANYTHING!! I have news for Mike Murdock: GOD IS NOT OUR BUSINESS PARTNER!

Revelation 4:8-11 - And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Does this sound like God the Entrepreneur to you?

Another featured guest was Bishop John Francis of Ruach Ministries in the U.K. Bishop Francis has been making regular appearances on Daystar, as well as TBN and is an up and coming Word of Faith televangelist. As was expected, Bishop Francis went on about “seed faith” giving, but also urged potential givers to make sure they honor their pledge, or else God will not be happy with you! This is a tactic used by the speakers on these fundraisers to literally pressure people into giving! Bishop Francis used the following passage of scripture that most TV preachers use as their justification. Bishop Francis starts with the importance of honoring your vow. He states:

"Well let me tell you what the Bible says in the book of Ecclesiastes. When you do that and you release it, you release an angel. There's angels that are being released right now, in the atmosphere. There's angels ascending and descending" - (Daystar Spring 2007 Share-a-Thon 03/23/2007)

Then he takes it to the next level by specifically referring to Ecclesiastes chapter five:

"Ecclesiastes 5 says this, suffer your mouth not to sin, or to make a vow, or to make a pledge. He says don't do it because an angel listens to it, and you cannot say you made a mistake because God does not take pleasure in fools. When you so something, God says I honor it, an angel has been released. An angel is being released today" - (Daystar Spring 2007 Share-a-Thon 03/23/2007)

Bishop Francis is quoting Ecclesiastes 5:6 to be exact. This verse never once mentions that angels are ascending and descending in the atmosphere, nor does it mention angels being released when you speak a vow! Here is what Ecclesiastes 5:6 really says:

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

This passage is used as a means to pressure people to give…OR ELSE!! What is very interesting is that Bishop Francis never mentions Ecclesiastes 5:5 which states:

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

According to this verse you should not make the vow or pledge if you know that you cannot honor that vow or pledge! However, this does not stop Daystar! No, you must give “by faith!” The push is always to give, even if the dollar amount that God is “telling” you to give is not at your disposal. Bishop Francis simply looks directly into the camera and states that you are to obey “the voice of God” and give whatever you have but either way… YOU MUST GIVE!! Apparently it does not matter if you have the money or not, or even if you could honor the vow or not. However scripture states that if you cannot honor the vow…THEN DON’T DO IT!!

SOLA SCRIPTURA – THE SCRIPTURE ALONE!

There is an extreme burden placed on people to "get to the phone and pledge!" The apostle Paul NEVER interrupted the preaching of the Gospel to hold fundraisers, nor ask anyone for money to help support his needs and his ministry. He took odd jobs to pay his own way, not wanting to be a burden to anyone. He did not tell people to give "$58.00 a month for 12 months" to his ministry. He worked for his living and supported his ministry that way. You will NEVER hear Mike Murdock, or Daystar mention that during their fundraisers.

Paul was a tent maker in Corinth and for more than a year he stayed and preached the Gospel, which is how he supported his ministry there:

Acts 18:3 - And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tent makers.

Again, Paul never approached anyone and told him or her to give a "seed faith offering" to his ministry. As a matter of fact, even in his want, Paul NEVER put pressure on the Church to give:

2 Corinthians 11:9 - And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

The Philippian church also gave to Paul’s ministry, but it was by their choice, not with pressure from a preacher who’s “in your face” with promises of “uncommon financial favor” or “unlimited blessings” or “divine healing”…etc. The Philippian church freely and cheerfully gave to Paul:

Philippians 4:15-17 - Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Paul stated the Philippian church came to him and supported his necessity while he preached. Yes, they were blessed by their giving, but not with better jobs, or more money in the bank, or promises of healings...etc, but their blessing was for them when they were to give account to God in the next life, not here in this life, which is what Paul meant in verse 17 when he said he "desired fruit that may abound to your account".

I understand there are expenses involved in ministry, but as you can see from the example of Paul the apostle, there is no need to beg, plead and even demand people to give to a TV ministry! There is also no basis in the New Testament for such behavior! (Which explains why most of the time, TV preachers use the Old Testament!) I truly believe that if a ministry is of God, then God will provide for the need.

It is best to heed the advice of Gamaliel:

Acts 5:38-39 - And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Search the Scripture for yourself! SOLA SCRIPTURA! The Scripture ALONE! May the Lord bless you!

***Part two of this article will be out in May. I'll give my report on the TBN Spring Praise-a-Thon, which will be aired during the week of April 9^th. ***

If you would like to respond please send your comments to: email@thenobleberean.org. Copy write 2007 The Noble Berean. This may be used in its entirety for non-commercial personal use. Changes/edits are not permitted without the express permission of The Noble Berean.