I just got done reading this article, and found it somewhat interesting.
I believe God wants to prosper his people. I have no problem with believing that. I am even supportive of some of the ministers in this article.
However, there is definitely a problem. The article mentions a person who gives money, probably way to much money, to ministries and isn't seeing financial blessing in return.
First, she says that they say the reason she isn't seeing financial blessings in her life is that she lacks faith. Actually, I would say she probably wasn't listening to the holy spirit in her giving. I do think if the holy spirit tells you to give all your money away, he will provide. But if he isn't telling you that, you probably shouldn't. Some of these preachers, unfortunately, do have a tendency to manipulate people into giving.
That brings me to the second problem. The preachers have a tendency to manipulate people into giving. I would definitely be considered a "charismatic" and have been in charismatic churches that I felt were very manipulative. Then there are other charismatic churches that aren't so manipulative. At New Beginnings Church back at home and Bethel Church here, I do not feel manipulated to give. I give because I want to and the holy spirit tells me to. And in these places, I'm seeing very authentic moves of God. In the places where there was more manipulation, sometimes I'd see authentic moves of God, but a lot of times it was either dead or hyped up to be something that it wasn't.
Third, the problem is that we're naming and claiming the wrong thing. God wants us to name and claim the nations, the souls, etc. When we line up with what God wants to do to spread his Kingdom instead of what we want to do for our own selfish desires, "name it and claim it" works.
Also, it saddens me when someone says the reason you didn't receive financial blessings, the reason you weren't healed, etc. is because you lacked faith. That probably isn't true at all. You actually have all the faith you need if you believe in Jesus anyway. You've just got to exercise it.
I don't want to accuse any of these ministers of anything. At the same time, they are human. They mess up. They probably don't even know they're messing up.
I think it's good of Joyce Meyer to welcome the scrutiny. Out of the ministers mentioned, I believe I see her sincerity in preaching the gospel in her more than from some of the others.
And if you need money, definitely, believe God will provide! Also do things for yourself to make sure you have the money. Borrowing money isn't always bad either. Sometimes we need to do that. But when you get to a point where you can pay back what you borrowed, do it.
The main thing, I think is to find out what the holy spirit wants you to name and claim, not what you want to name and claim. Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all things shall be added. I believe it's the desire of God to bless us financially. We need to want God more than we want the money though. I believe if we have God as our focus and we listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us, we won't be in need. If we are just wanting God to bless us financially and we just give to preachers without asking the Holy Spirit about it, and we just do it for our own selfish desires, we're probably wasting the money that we're giving. Just something to think about.
And I want to make it clear that I'm not against giving, tithing, etc. I'm all for it. Giving is one step for financial blessings, I believe, but there's a lot of other things involved too, such as being responsible.
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