Megachurch Pastor Accuses his Congregants of Being ‘Shoplifters’ For Not Tithing Enough
John Hagee, is a televangelist, author, and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church, a 17,000-member megachurch in San Antonio, Texas, as well as the head of John Hagee Ministries. At 82 years old, he’s known for his unbiblical defense of all things Israel, the ‘Blood Moon Prophecies‘ that he invented back in 2013, and is one of the old guards of the prosperity movement, which he’s been preaching for decades.
The CRI has a great breakdown of Hagee’s many false teachings and satanic theological postulation, such as teaching that “poverty is caused by sin and disobeying the Word of God” and that poverty is a “curse” that must be overcome. He believes that to get anything from God, you must give him money (of which Hagee is the recipient) because “God created a universe where it is impossible to receive without giving. Everything that God controls, gives. . . . Givers gain. You do not qualify for God’s abundance until you give.”
Of further concern is that Hagee also has a thoroughly unbiblical view on soteriology as it applies to the Jewish People. He believes that Muslims, Hindus, Atheists, etc, need to believe in Jesus for salvation, but the Jews don’t, claiming that Jewish people already have a covenant with the Lord that “has never been replaced with Christianity.” He’s even said that witnessing and evangelizing the Jewish people is a “waste of time.” Hagee teaches that Jesus rejected being the Messiah of the Jews, and so they are not bound by the same salvific conditions as the rest of the world:
“The [Jewish] people wanted Him to be their Messiah, but He absolutely refused. The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah, it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews!”
and
“The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses. I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption.
The law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation. And God has not.”
It is under these unholy auspices that during his ‘The Power to get Wealth’ Series posted on June 22, 2022, Hagee engages in repeated scripture twisting and calls the vast majority of his church members shoplifters for not giving enough to the church and to his ministry. He teaches:
The Lord delights in the prosperity of the righteous. Say that with me, the Lord delights in the prosperity of the righteous. Some of you don’t anymore believe that…but that’s a fact.
If God wills it, and you don’t have it, it’s not God’s problem. God wants you to adjust your thinking to the fact that the promises of prosperity in the bible apply to you. Jesus said, ‘give and it shall be given unto you.’ Who gets it? You.
This is an abuse of Luke 6. Nothing about this verse implies it’s about money or tithing, but rather is about judging, as the preceding verse famously says ‘Judge not, and you shall not be judged.’ He then ties your giving to the church to your treasure in heaven, arguing that it’s impossible to receive from God without giving to him, yet what does he think salvation is? What did you ever give to earn that?
Let that set in for just a minute. The bible says lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths and thieves in the John Hagee amplified version and the IRS can’t carry it off. The day is going to come when all you’re going to have is what you’ve given to God.
I see some of you on Sunday morning when the pan comes by, hold on to a dollar bill like it’s a life raft and you let it go your oxygen is going to go off. ‘My God there is goes” One dollar. That’s the only dollar you’re ever going to get back (in heaven). It’s going to be crumpled, I guarantee you, but you’re going to get it back. Some of you are going to be wearing a plastic crown in heaven…from Walmart.
He concludes:
God has created a universe where it’s impossible to receive without giving… if you receive without giving, it’s shoplifting. Many Christians are shoplifters at Cornerstone Church on a regular basis.
You’ve come to church here, your marriage has been healed, your soul has been saved, your spirits have been revived, your children have been dedicated and you’ve never given to help the kingdom of God carry the light of gospel to the nations of the world or to the next generation. 20% of the people here carry 80% of the load!
What could we do if all of us pitched in and did exactly what God gave us the opportunity to do? If not you, who? If not now, when? The law of God is ‘give and it shall be given unto you’. If God gives to you without you giving to him, God would have to break his law.. ..How many of you would like for God’s blessings to sweep over you like a tidal wave? Do you know God wants to do that? You know why he can’t? Because it would be a violation of his law if he did.”
h/t to Shawn at Revealing Truth and the Christian Research Institute.
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I began out making $ 155 / hour in my spare time doing responsibilities with my computer that I were given from this business enterprise I stumbled upon online… Check it out and begin incomes yourself. I can say that my existence has absolutely improved! Take a study what I’m doing… ..
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My sentence structure and spelling ain’t nothing to brag about, but reading these adds is hilarious. I enjoy the turd world grammar more than the articles!
“I began out making’
‘I were given from’
‘Begin incomes yourself’
I believe these spam adds might be written by the pastor of the article is on?
If not tithing is “shoplifting” then I guess the obscenely expensive luxury cars Hagee and his ilk drive around in is “Grand Theft Auto”.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Let’s settle this once and for ALL. That “book” is written to 3 types of people. 1) Jews 2) The Lost 3) Christians.
The apostle Paul gives the Church the instructions for giving in 1 Corinth. 16:1-3. 2 Corinth. Chapters 8 and 9. That’s it. Read it. Love it. Believe it.
As a Christian you are instructed your giving is a gift. 2 Corinth. 8:4. It is according to what a man has, not what he has not. Verse 12. It is out of your abundance. Verse 14. 2 Corinth. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Put that credit card away.
Nobody is tithing in the Church. Tithing was ALWAYS farm animals, oil, grain, fruit and new wine. Tithing was NEVER currency, (money). It was for the Nation of Israel to support the Levitical priesthood and their families for the Tabernacle in the wilderness and Temple service.
Read Acts 15 and you will find the letter from the Apostles to the Gentiles that were coming to saving faith. In that letter, tithing and Sabbath observing were not required becoming Christians and not keeping the Law of Moses. Take notice of verses 10-15.
Acts 15:7-11 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
If your church teaches tithing, they are Judaizers putting you under the Law. Taking something given to the Nation of Israel and forcing it on the Church is called stealing. That’s found in both Testaments. Exodus 20, Romans 13:9.
Your teachers are either woefully ignorant not believing the Scriptures, or they are intentionally dishonest and disingenuous men. For example, John Hagee, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard Brown and that Jezebel Paula White etc. etc.
If you’re Church can’t “run” the Church on the free will offerings of that local congregation, tell them to go get a secular job like the Apostle Paul did who was a tent maker that WORKED for what he needed.
Acts 18:1-3 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Acts 20:33-35 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Corinthians 4:10-12 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
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.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-15 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
If your church doesn’t repent, LEAVE and go fellowship with a Church that won’t require tithing or Sabbath observing (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown) and faithfully teaching the “words” of God, “rightly dividing the word of truth”.
I pray that helps anyone.
Please see my reply below.
Thanks Romans 16:17-18. You’ve laid that argument out well and supported it properly with scriptures, not cherry picked to make a point.
My view on tithing and offering is exactly the same. I came out of Pentecostalism where OT tithing was strongly taught, and I didn’t question it at the time. I have since found oodles of resources from solid teachers that agree with your view. MacArthur is just one of them.
The transformed heart joyfully serves the Lord, and automatically gives to support the work of the ministry and partners with Gospel missions. The various % figures mentioned in the OT for tithing (up to about 25% in some cases) are not applicable to Christians. Some people give way more than that, and some give less, as they are able to afford it.
If you really want a good outline of tithing and when andvhoe it changed look here.
https://brotherlance.com/gods-economy/
While the tithe is gone as there is no temple to support. The ministers of the gospel are still supposed to be supported by the church.
Workers Need To Be Sent
“For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15)
God’s Economy
Those Gifted For God’s Service- Should Be In God’s Service.
Just like we read earlier in 2 Chronicles 31:4-5, “commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to Yahweh’s law….. “ the people giving “the tithe of all things abundantly”
The reason for this is so they can go 100% into serving God and not be held back by the daily vocation or work schedule in the world system. This is vitally important as there are so few ministers in the world, and such a large harvest.
Jesus Declared: “Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
God’s Economy
Here we find the same concept being played out in the New Testament:
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1-2)
*The House Church Model: Now mind you, they didn’t have modern church buildings. They had “The Church in the House of so and so…” *See: Acts 8:3 + Romans 16:5 + 1 Corinthians 16:19 + Colossians 4:15 Philemon 1:2
God’s Economy
Those Who Work For The Gospel- Live Off The Gospel.
-1- “Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.” (Matthew 10:9-10)
*Just like we have seen in the Priesthood in the Old Testament, we have the same concept applied to the new minister of the Gospel.
-2-“Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings? In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)
-3-“Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching. For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his pay.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18)
-4-“Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.” (Galatians 6:6)
If you want to know the truth about the Sabbath that was started in the garden of Eden. Before there was sin or a Jew see the link below.
https://brotherlance.com/666-2/
And yes we are to still keep all Ten Commandments. Not to earn salvation but to walk out our salvation.
https://brotherlance.com/keep-the-commandments/
Being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,” (1 Corinthians 9:21b)
“Do we then make the Law void through faith? Let it not be! But we establish the Law.” (Romans 3:31)
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26) See also James 2:14-26
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) See also Ephesians 2:1-10
“But that which you have, hold fast until I come. And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” (Revelation 2:25-26)
We are saved by grace not of works this is true. The question before us is “how do we act after we have been saved?” Most Christians fail to separate the two concepts. They get stuck with “saved by grace,” or “saved by works.” Both are wrong and destitute of spiritual discernment. The answer is “Yes” and “Yes.” We are saved by grace not by works, yet now that we are saved there is a calling to obey. We didn’t earn our salvation, yet now that it has been given it comes with guidance. Failure to head the guidance is to reject the offer of salvation. Grace and works are intimately connected. You can never be good enough. That is why there is grace and mercy. Yet you cannot remain with a heart of rebellion and call Jesus Lord. That is why there remains Gods way of doing things, also called the law. To say you can have a relationship with God on your own terms and conditions is to deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Another way to put it is this: You have been given a free tickets into the city of heaven, it didn’t cost you thing. Now that you have entered into this kingdom there are expectations on your conduct.
“And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his Commandments. One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his Commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. But whoever keeps his word, God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:” (1 John 2:2-5)