Bishop Hilliard, center, claims God told him it was time to upgrade his helicopter.
Prosperity Gospel preacher and false prophet I.V. Hilliard of New Light Christian Center Church in Houston, Texas, has come under fire for sending a letter requesting a special “favor seed” of $52 from church members in order to upgrade the church’s helicopter. Claiming he received a direct message from God regarding the situation, Hilliard’s letter, which promises all who “sow a seed” that they will automatically receive a “transportation blessing” in their own lives, is a stark example of the many heresies and false doctrines in the Prosperity Gospel movement that has corrupted much of the Christian church today. Hilliard and his wife, who live an extreme, lavish lifestyle comparable to multimillionaire rock stars, are a part of the apostasy – the prophesied falling away of much of the Christian church from Biblical doctrine to false preaching, in preparation for the coming Antichrist.
Bishop I.V. Hilliard and his wife “First Lady” and co-pastor Bridget Hilliard, lead New Light Christian Center, a church with 6 campuses and over 28,000 members. Its main building holds over 8,000 and was purchased from mega church pastor Joel Osteen (Osteen’s church had outgrown the building and he went on to purchase a professional basketball stadium to hold his services in). Hilliard’s mega-church also has a TV broadcast and was listed as one of the The 50 Most Influential Churches in America.
Here is some of the text from the letter from Pastor Hilliard (the full letter is below):
“Do you need better transportation? Does your car need repair or total replacement? Do you have a dream vehicle or luxury automobile you long to purchase? Are you trying to sale [sp] a car, truck or SUV? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these please carefully read the rest of this letter. It could change your life….
In is one of the most powerful game changing principles in Scripture and I’ll be preaching on it real, real soon. I have used this specific Scriptural principle for specific favor over and over to see desired pursuits shift in my favor. It’s about sowing into a particular Kingdom situation to impact a similar need in your personal life.
We have an urgent transportation need that The Lord said can be an opportunity for you to see His favor and His wisdom released to help you. Scripture teaches that when you give to a Kingdom need God will raise up someone to use their power, their ability and their influence to help you. Read…2 Cor9:7-8…Mark10:27-30…
Our Aviation Department has an opportunity that will save the ministry well over $50K if we will move on it right away. My Aviation Manager stated that while repairing our helicopter they discovered that if we upgrade our blades today, it will save thousands in the years to come. As I pondered and looked at the situation, I heard that still small voice of the Holy Spirit say tell your special partners who have special transportation needs and their obedience will release favor for their needs and desires..”
The letter goes on to request a “$52 transportation favor seed” to be given to the church with the promise that within “52 days or 52 weeks” each donor will receive the “transportation breakthrough” they have been waiting for. This shameless begging for money based on twisted use of Bible Scripture is a basic and routine part of the Prosperity Gospel, also known as the Word of Faith Movement, Health and Wealth or “name it and claim it” doctrine. The basic premise of this false teaching is that Christians, by virtue of being believers in Jesus Christ are entitled to massive amounts of wealth, fame, beauty and worldly influence and just need to perform the proper actions to unlock and release these earthly blessings. Normally the “release” is achieved by “sowing a seed of faith” – which is sending money to the pastor, and then “claiming their breakthrough” which is the belief that by uttering the proper words, God will then be “activated” to send a blessing to the donor. But is this what the Bible teaches? Is this a true Christian doctrine? A brief study of Scripture will show the answer is emphatically, NO.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, made it clear time and time again that a Christian’s focus should not be on material gain. He taught the exact opposite, specifically commanding against the storing up of “treasures upon earth” which a person loses once they die, and instead commanded His believers to focus on “treasures in heaven” – the blessings one receives when they put their faith in Him for salvation. The ultimate blessing a Christian is 100% guaranteed to receive is forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Heaven. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross that a person can go from a condemned sinner, to a forgiven child of God. And the Christian life is one of giving up the lusts and pleasures of the world, in order to live a life that is holy and in accordance with Bible Scripture.
With respect to the sacrifices that a Christian must make Jesus said: “..If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). The essence of the Christian life is the denial of one’s own personal wants, dreams and agenda in order to let Jesus Christ and God’s Word direct their lives. This is the exact opposite of the Prosperity Gospel which puts all of the emphasis on satisfying whatever material or financial desires a person has. Rather than denying oneself, the Prosperity Gospel teaches that the entire world and all its material wealth are a Christian’s entitlement. And it just takes enough “faith seeds” and magical words in order to bring it into your bank account. Instead of putting the focus on eternal life, as the Bible does, the Word of Faith doctrine emphasizes living for today, living “your best life now” and worldly success.
Jesus Christ said: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26).
Because of the sin of humanity, this present world is cursed with death, pain and suffering. The true reward lies in eternity. So the person who clings to this world and puts all their focus on this life, ignoring the need for forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, will end up losing everything, because along with losing their valued material possessions, they will also die guilty in their sin and suffer eternal damnation. But those who “lose their lives” – in other words, those who are willing to foresake the sinful lusts of today and put faith in Jesus Christ first and foremost in their hearts and minds will “find life” because they will have eternal life and blessings that will never leave. Jesus repeatedly preached against covetousness and emphasis on material gain. But this has not stopped the Prosperity Gospel pastors from making it their tool to lure unsuspecting church goers into false doctrine.
Beware Of False Prophets
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” – Matthew 24:11.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. – 2 Peter 2:1-3.
The Bible contains many warnings about false prophets – preachers who claim to preach Christianity but in fact, preach heresies. Christians are to be wary of any pastor whose teachings do not align with Scripture. In the case of Hilliard, the Biblical errors abound. Already the focus on material gain has been exposed as error but in the few Scriptures he cites, there is more heresy.
In his letter pleading for money, Hilliard wrote:
“Scripture teaches that when you give to a Kingdom need God will raise up someone to use their power, their ability and their influence to help you. Read…2 Cor9:7-8…Mark10:27-30…”
One sign of a false teacher is taking Scriptures from the middle of a chapter in the Bible and throwing them out at the audience with no real explanation of the context in which the verses are written. This is a very powerful way to give a deceptive message. The Bible contains many statements which when taken out of context, can be used to preach all manner of doctrines that were never intended. A pastor’s job is to explain the proper meaning of The Word of God so that the congregation can be edified. Hilliard in this letter cites 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 and Mark 10:27-30. Notice he does not even bother to list the actual passages or explain their meaning. He spends more time discussing his Aviation Department than actually explaining God’s Word. But here are the passages in question:
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: – 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
To fully understand the context of this passage it is necessary to start in 2 Corinthians 8. At that time, there was a prophesied famine in Judea and the Christian church in Jerusalem was struggling to literally survive in a city with no food, heavy taxation and overpopulation. The Apostle Paul had led an effort to do a collection to help this church. The church in Corinth to whom the book of 2 Corinthians was written, was one of the first regional churches to volunteer to set up a collection to help their poor, starving brethren in Jerusalem. This we see in 1 Corinthians 16:
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. – 1 Corinthians 16:1-3.
By the time of the writing of 2 Corinthians something had gone awry. The Church in Corinth, which had an abundance of goods and material wealth, was no longer collecting for the Jerusalem relief fund. So in Chapters 8 and 9, Paul is trying to remind them of the blessings that come from taking care of the poorest among us. Chapter 8 begins with Paul telling the church in Corinth about the Christian Church in Macedonia, who though going difficult times themselves, still gave to support their starving fellow believers in Jerusalem:
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-4.
What follows in Chapters 8 and 9 are an exhortation to support the poor and give liberally – a message the Bible gives all throughout Scripture (for more on this see our article “Should Christians Give To The Poor?”). In Chapter 9 Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the verbal commitment they made to take a collection and that he had been boasting of their generosity to other believers:
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. – 2 Corinthians 9:1-5.
This is the context of the verses which Hilliard plucked out to support his helicopter fund.
Hilliard has built his ministry around the love of money and financial gain.
Note the differences in his use of the Scripture compared to what the Bible is actually conveying. The collection for Jerusalem was to help the poor. It was going to those who were literally starving. It was not a collection to help pay for one of Paul’s luxury items. Furthermore the emphasis on giving was to be done with a cheerful heart and “not as of covetousness.” Christians are to give to the poor with no thought of return. Hilliard’s entire approach is based on provoking desire in his congregation with lines like ” Do you need better transportation? Does your car need repair or total replacement? Do you have a dream vehicle or luxury automobile you long to purchase?” The appeal in his pitch is that by giving the money to him and his Aviation Department, God is going to provide an even bigger payoff in the form of a luxury car or SUV within 52 days or weeks.
The Scripture he cites does say that God will bless believers materially, but not with luxury items. Jesus clarifies the material blessings of God in Matthew 6:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. — Matthew 6:25-34.
Having food, clothing and the basic necessities is something that a Christian can call on God to provide. But how do we receive them? Is it by “sowing a seed” of money? Is it by “claiming a breakthrough” with our words? Is it by occult ritual? No. It is done by “seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” The righteousness of God is attained by faith in Jesus Christ. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that a sinner can be redeemed and declared righteous before God. So the blessings a Christian receives, in this life and in Heaven are through Jesus Christ. It is not the result of our own actions. It was all earned by Christ. This is why Jesus taught that Christians were not to spend time worrying or “dreaming” about their earthly needs. He has won them for all who believe in Him. But this is something Prosperity Gospel false teachers cannot teach because it removes their ability to manipulate their congregations by coercing them into giving money thinking they can “buy” God’s favor. Do not be deceived.
The second passage Hilliard cites does not need much explanation:
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. – Mark 10:27-30.
The meaning of this passage is not that Jesus was promising “100 houses” to any person who would become His disciple. He was comparing the joy of those who forsook their earthly life to follow Him and receive salvation as being one hundred time better than the joy friends, property, wealth, family and a big home can bring. Even “with persecutions”, the Christian life is still infinitely better than the life of a wealthy unbeliever who is lost in sinful rebellion with the wrath of God hanging over her head each day. Hilliard shamefully tries to use this passage to support the “deal” he is pitching – that giving money to him will lead to a much bigger financial return from God.
Prosperity Gospel Pastors – Lifestyles of The Rich And Famous
Bishop Hilliard’s Mansion: “For 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.” – 1 Timothy 6:10.
Lord willing it is clear that Hilliard is not teaching Biblical Christianity. Instead he is doing just what the Apostle Peter’s warning states in 2 Peter 2: “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:” By promoting covetousness in his congregation (“do you want a new car?“) Hilliard used Bible twisting tactics to make merchandise of his congregation – all to fund his helicopter upgrade. Peter continues in his warnings of false teachers by describing their motivations: “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness..” (2 Peter 2:14-15).
Balaam was a prophet in the Old Testament who charged a fee to perform divination and was offered money to falsely prophesy a curse on the children of Israel. In this same way, these false teachers today are willing to preach a false gospel and “damnable heresies” for one main purpose – money. 2 Peter again comments on the flamboyant, lavish lifestyle of false preachers: “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you..” As this passage accurately prophesied, the false teachers of today have no shame in bragging about their immense wealth and flaunting it to their congregations.
As we have chronicled with other Word of Faith pastors, Hilliard lives in the lap of luxury. In addition to his helicopter, Hilliard lives in a sprawling 24,000 square foot mansion surrounded by five 2,200 square foot guest houses and a 3,500 square foot, 3-bedroom, “exercise room.” In total, the compound has 30 bedrooms and 36 bathrooms. In addition the multimillionaire pastor travels in a private jet.
The Grumman G-2 private jet owned by New Light Christian Center.
Here is a tweet from his wife and co-pastor, First Lady Bridget Hilliard, posted on Mother’s Day 2011:
“Pastor” Bridget Hilliard tweeted a photo of her new Rolls Royce Phantom.
Here she brags about the Rolls Royce Phantom luxury vehicle her husband bought for her. This is an automobile whose cost starts at $398,000. While many of the members of their congregations struggle to pay rent and buy food, the pastor and his “co-pastor” wife live the lives of rock stars, “sporting” or showing off right in front of their followers.
First Lady Bridget Hilliard’s Birthday extravaganza was clearly a financial success.
First Lady Bridget Hilliard has also been the recipient of annual, over the top birthday extravaganzas. Her birthday parties cost $100 per person to attend and the invitation comes with a “gift idea” list for attendees to know exactly what to purchase for the First Lady. Even Houston’s main newspaper, The Chronicle, reported on the ridiculous list of preferred gifts which included:
- Monetary gifts,
- Designer handbags: Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton.
- Gift certificates: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Escada. (source).
The ballroom for the birthday extravaganza.
In the invitation, church members were also warned:
(Don’t be afraid to give cash, that’s why we put it at the top of the list and if you’re giving a designer handbag, no knock-offs. Pastor Bridget deserves genuine Gucci. We’ll be checking for authenticity and we wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of all the other church members).
If for some reason you are unable to attend you are welcome to mail your gift to:
Dr. (honorary) Bridget E. Hilliard
—-address removed—-
P.O. Box 306
Spring, Texas 77373
Her birthday is March 12th which is a Sunday so be sure to get your gift in the mail in plenty of time for it to arrive by Saturday March 11th.
We look forward to seeing you (or your gift) at the event! [Emphasis added].
Pastor Hilliard also runs an organization called the Association of Independent Ministries in which other pastors join for the chance to have Hilliard serve as a “father” to them. There is a $50 application fee and $100 annual membership fee for this honor. It is reported that over 1,200 pastors are members. To be a special “son or daughter/protégé” of Hilliard requires a pledge to “serve the church physically/financially” in addition to tithes (which of course are required).
A Hilliard follower can also be a member of the Pastor’s “Wisdom Connection” which provides special VIP access to the pastor’s sermon notes, notes from classes Hilliard teaches and audio and video of sermons. All this can be yours for $200 per month. Why is a pastor and supposed man of God, charging for his sermons? Well to support the many mansions and luxury vehicles they own. Beloved, this is not Christianity. This the satanic corruption of the Christian church that the Bible prophesied. Rather than preach the Biblical Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, Hilliard teaches a false gospel premised on money, self-elevation and lust for the world. And this false gospel is leading people way from the God of the Bible and to a false religion that leads to hell.
And it is with this fabulous, decadent lifestyle that mega church pastors like the Hilliards dazzle their followers. Rather than put the focus on Jesus Christ, they show off their own glory, to both intimidate and provoke envy among their devoted church attendees. The idea is that since they have so much wealth, they must be “anointed” by God and have special divine revelation. This gives the wolves in sheep clothing the ultimate trump card – since they are “chosen prophets of God”, they should never be questioned. In this Fox News report on the helicopter controversy, notice that New Light church attendees are so frightened to question their pastor, they will not even appear on camera without having their images and voices altered.
To no surprise, Hilliard is a featured preacher at the 2013 Mega-Fest Conference in Dallas, Texas alongside major heretics T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen and Creflo Dollar – all preachers of the prosperity gospel who Beginning and End has previously done articles on. These false teachers similarly abuse and twist the Word of God to build their multi-million dollar empires.
Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. – Psalm 84:11.
The truth of the Scripture, no matter what false prophets claim, is that no person can “walk uprightly” or be “righteous” without faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to a born again Christian, providing forgiveness of sins. This is what the Bible is about. This is the great blessing of Scripture – eternal life. Pray for repentance or judgment to come upon I.V. Hilliard, his First Lady and the rest of their corrupt ministry. And pray for the deceived congregation of this mega-church to learn the Biblical Gospel and start following and learning the Scriptures in spirit and truth. Despite losing their money, many people are also risking their eternal destiny as they spend their time and wealth on a false gospel, worshiping a false God and relying on a false spirit. By God’s grace, perhaps some will flee from false teachings and worldly lust and seek true, eternal wealth in Jesus Christ.
Matt says
June 24, 2013 at 10:21 pmThis is sickening! Great article, B&E.
Matt(Quote)
Edly says
April 24, 2014 at 8:00 amFor years I have attended a small, biblical minded church, with Christ-centered pastors. Until I came across the B&E website, I had not idea how large the apostasy was in America.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Edly(Quote)
Tyrone Harris says
April 24, 2014 at 8:20 amI’m afraid everything has gone commercial and a number of churches are preaching about getting rich and they are actually using the prosperity part of the Bible to suppose their beliefs. Most ignore that parts about suffering etc…
Tyrone Harris(Quote)
Tony Stocker says
February 25, 2016 at 11:29 pmMen of God, keep proclaiming the message of PROSPERUTY alive, only the ignorant will continue to dispute the WORD Of GOD! The Bible has so much to say about money Money that any other subject. I applaud Bishop Hillard, Dr B, TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Frederick KC Price for teaching the WORD. Outstanding job Men of God!!!!
Tony Stocker(Quote)
Aurelio Nunez says
January 16, 2019 at 12:15 pmJesus will judge justly
Aurelio Nunez(Quote)
clt says
June 25, 2013 at 4:32 pmI am just sick of the abuses these so called men of God are getting away with, do they have to pay taxes on donated money I mean their income since its from the church? No one needs to live this way, it is crazy, how can one family use all that house, how many kids do they have? I hope the people in that church wake up and see this for what it is..greed and lust for money
clt(Quote)
yhwhzson says
June 26, 2013 at 5:42 amMic 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
DIRT BAG!
yhwhzson(Quote)
Beginning and End says
June 28, 2013 at 2:12 amAMEN and AMEN.
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abey says
June 26, 2013 at 10:17 am52 days is to anxiousness but 52 weeks is a time, convenient to forget 52$.
abey(Quote)
Beginning and End says
June 28, 2013 at 2:11 amThis is a great point. Once a year has gone by, many people will forget about the “transportation blessing” among the numerous other false promises made in the interim.
Beginning and End(Quote)
Jordan says
June 27, 2013 at 8:20 amTHIS MAKES ME SICK! You don’t know how much I wanted to toss the very laptop I’m writing to you from! Jesus is not a genie! I doubt these “pastors” even believe the very message they supposedly preach. As bad as it may sound, some people are very worthy of Hell. They’ll fit right in.
But you know what, they blame doesn’t lie only with the pastor but the congregation as well. How can someone be so daft? Can they not read scripture for themselves and see something is amiss? Maybe they deserve to be fleeced for their stupidity…
Jordan(Quote)
Natasha says
July 1, 2013 at 5:25 pmB & E:
interestingly enough I just finished my bible study session on the letters to Timothy and in response to one part of your article I thought I should share this verse.
“But this has not stopped the Prosperity Gospel pastors from making it their tool to lure unsuspecting church goers into false doctrine.”
While some new believers may be unsuspecting, it is my belief Paul says it right in 2 Timothy 4: 3
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
All the truth that you posted in the verses about denying yourself is not what itching ears want to hear in these times, especially with precarious economic situation. People want to be rich. It is being flaunted in their face by celebrities and now even by supposed “church leaders”. We all have a duty to read and learn the scriptures for ourselves so that we may know the sound doctrine. Paul says anything contrary, even if it comes from an angel, is to be dismissed as no gospel at all and false.
People today simply do not do this because, as the verse above says, they cannot put up with sound doctrine. It does not satisfy the youthful lusts that Paul instructs us to put off. If we strive to put on righteousness, not many of these people would be fooled by people like Hilliard.
At the end of the day however, the scriptures will be fulfilled. It is sad to see especially when the word is so clear on matters like these. And even when something is unclear, God has given us His Spirit to help. Let us keep praying for one another that we stick to the true Gospel of Christ, unwavering from our faith that God sent Jesus, that He took on human form, died and rose from the dead on the 3rd day, and ascended before men and will return before men.
God bless B & E 🙂
Natasha(Quote)
Beginning and End says
July 1, 2013 at 6:14 pmHi Natasha,
That was an excellent post. I could not agree more. God bless.
Beginning and End(Quote)
Pepa says
July 17, 2013 at 12:43 amLos post me agradaron bastante mas pero no esta mal 😉
Pepa(Quote)
Joana Gutierrez says
July 19, 2013 at 12:24 amSeed faith- offering comes from the heart and not compulsory or an obligation or mandatory…it is an agreement between U and God alone and not for the other person’s intentions or purpose…
Jeremiah 17:10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts
and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
according to what their actions deserve.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 says Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
when GOD almighty whom I worship ask me to offer the seed faith, It is a DIRECT ORDER THAT I RECEIVE FROM GOD AND NOT FROM MY PASTOR OR ANYONE…IT IS I, from my own pocket, WHO WILL GIVE AND NOT ASK SOMEONE FOR THE SEED FAITH…on my own personal point of view…could it be Millionaire pastor I.V. Hilliard heard the voice of God to GIVE or plant the seed faith $52 TO each member of his church and not the other way????
Joana Gutierrez(Quote)
Beginning and End says
July 19, 2013 at 6:02 amHi Joana,
Thank you very much for your comment. I just want to point out that you used the phrase “seed faith” and then offered a definition. But where in the Bible is the term “seed faith” or the definition you provided? This is the point that the article is trying to make. These doctrines are not found in Scripture. They are man-made. Nowhere in the Bible is this author able to find anything like what you just described.
You used 2 verses to support the seed faith idea. Let’s look at them in context:
As you can see, in context, this verse has nothing to do with money or finance at all. The Lord was rebuking the Kingdom of Judah for idolatry and a lack of faith in Him. It is not about giving God money or God asking for money at all. The verse in question is specifically saying that God knows our hearts, our inner thoughts and our inner sins. There is no secret we can keep from Him, not matter how much we deceive ourselves.
Let’s look at the second verse:
In this passage, Paul is trying to resolve a conflict in the Corinthians church. Some of the church members were picking a “favorite preacher” and forming factions behind each man. Paul is telling them, that all people are co-laborers in Christ and there is no special pastor anywhere on Earth. The true foundation of the church is Jesus Christ, not any person. Verses 12-15 is saying that when a person sets to work in the ministry if there foundation is Christ, then it will survive judgment and be blessed. But if their foundation is “hay” or weak (i.e., they are using man-made doctrine and not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ) then that foundation will burn up.
This passage actually refutes what greedy, heretic false prophets like I.V. HIlliard do – elevating themselves as royalty and building a church centered on themselves and their own glory and not that of Jesus Christ.
I hope that we can come to some agreement to let the Bible be the authority on this matter and not our own feelings or hearts. Nowhere in Scripture did Jesus ever ask anyone to give Him money for anything. Christians have no such requirement. God wants our faith which is unseen. He wants our hearts, love and devotion, which cannot be put in an offering plate. Giving money is a work. Faith is 100% in the heart. I welcome any response or questions you have on this. God bless.
Beginning and End(Quote)
abey says
July 25, 2013 at 12:15 pm‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God & His Righteousness” (Which is to the eternal things in God) “Then all these things shall be added unto you-” Not necessarily the things that we want but that which we need for the God who created us knows us more than we know ourselves & to our needs is what we are asked to pray for “Give us this day our daily bread” which is to say our daily Spiritual & Physical nourishments to the purpose of this life- the Salvation- The Gold that is found in Christ Jesus.
abey(Quote)
jm says
April 24, 2016 at 9:52 pmFaith without works is dead
jm(Quote)
The Blessed Seed says
July 26, 2013 at 11:55 pmThe true foundation of the church is Jesus Christ, not any person. Verses 12-15 is saying that when a person sets to work in the ministry if there foundation is Christ,
The Blessed Seed(Quote)
American says
July 30, 2013 at 6:29 pmShucking and jiving people out of their money “for Jesus.” Yeah right. WRONG!
American(Quote)
Jero Jones says
August 30, 2013 at 11:01 amPrynhawn da/Good Afternoon, and Hi all.
As a researcher of history you often find similarities between people of the past, and people of today. However, I have never see two people from different eras, coveting avarice in such an unashamedly way. And the funny thing is that both men claim to be bishops, working for a God, only to the embellishment of themselves and their so-called church’s.
Leo X, bishop of Rome (1513-21), whom is reputed to said: ‘It is sufficiently well-known to all all ages how much this story about Christ has benefited us and our company.’ The citation for the quote, which was written by John Bale (1495-1563).[Acta Romanorum Pontificum, John Bale, 1588,pp.382,384.]
Leo X spent or better said, squanders the church’s fortunes on lavish entertainment, the arts, buildings, but mostly on himself. He (Leo) became on of the most notorious popes in history.
Bishop I.V. Hilliard (? – present), of the New Light Christian Centre has the same lavish lifestyle, but, has gone one better, he has bought a helicopter to be closer to his God!
Jero Jones Mab Cymru
Jero Jones(Quote)
A Mother says
September 22, 2013 at 3:46 pmI’m speechless! I just forward this article to my friends.
Most of these people are so weak…that’s why all these things are happening.
Thanks for sharing, God bless you BE.
A Mother(Quote)
Lele O. P. Balesamang says
December 29, 2013 at 8:04 amThe end result of the offering is to execute God’s plan in the face of earth. Only the enemies of the cross would throw darts at this idea.
Lele O. P. Balesamang(Quote)
Lele O. P. Balesamang says
December 29, 2013 at 9:39 amI have just read through the letter and all the comments (both holly and evil) posted but thank God that heaven and earth will pass but His word shall stand. Is the purpose (s) of Pastor Hillard’s letter still active, if so help me how to give my “$52” offering from Botswana.
Lele O. P. Balesamang(Quote)
abey says
January 4, 2014 at 8:19 amRacial talk is most dangerous to the Christian Faith like when Obama said gay is OK spoken like a pied piper . the whole lot of blacks even their preachers,inc. this preacher not exempt, had blacks stand up & say gay is Ok & Lo overnight Obama became their Messiah.
abey(Quote)
Lele O. P. Balesamang says
December 29, 2013 at 9:59 amFor those of you folks who grill Dr Hillard for his Godly vision, what if we all come to discover that indeed he was acting on instruction by God the creator? I think it is highly risky to take your advice that to follow Hillard’s preaching.
Lele O. P. Balesamang(Quote)
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Consultation voyance gratuite(Quote)
Tyrone says
March 23, 2014 at 6:03 pmI tend to listen to T.D.Jakes’ sermons quite a bit. I see his name was mentioned as a prosperity preacher, is he really a prosperity preacher? I had some discussions with a friend and he pointed out something very interesting, most preachers that attend the Oral Roberts University are prosperity preachers as that is what that University teaches, is that so?
Tyrone(Quote)
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gulise nixon says
July 28, 2014 at 11:28 amAll of you are readers and not attenders and opinions are just that opinions.. The bishop and first lady are blessed to have all that they have WORKED FOR HE DIDNT JUST BECOME A PASTOR HE HAS BEEN BRINGING NONBELIEVERS CLOSER TO GOD SINCE HIS FIVE MEMBER CHURCH WITH THE LORDS PROSPERITY AND ABUNDANCE HE HAS BEEN BLESSES OVER AND BEYONDAND HAS NOT LEFT THOSE BEHIND THAT BELIEVEN IN HIS GOOD WORKS FOR GOD …JUAT TWO MONTHS AGO MY CHURCH (NEWLIGHT CC) GAVE ME 700 $ TO PAY MY RENT WITH OUT HESITATION IT WAS A GIFT I DIDN’T HAVE TO PAY BACK NOTHING THE BISHOP GIVES BAC TO ITS MEMBERS SENDING COUNTLESS STUDENTS TO SCHOOL WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FREE AND COUNTLESS OTHER DEEDS ALL IN FAVOR OF THE LORD TO HIS MEMBERS SO HIS MEMBERS SOE INTO HIM AND REAP THE BLESSINGS OF GOD
gulise nixon(Quote)
Jeff says
September 15, 2014 at 8:59 amSo…how much longer until we see this guy on American Greed?
Jeff(Quote)
Beginning and End says
September 20, 2014 at 3:43 amThat, sadly, is a great question. -B&E
Beginning and End(Quote)
Crystal says
June 4, 2015 at 10:04 amIn our search for a new church when we first moved to the area years ago, my husband and I attended this church one time. One time was all it took to see how flashy this “pastor” and his family were. They all had chairs that looked like thrones sitting in the pulpit and he preached this prosperity nonsense. We left and never looked back. How very sad that those who do not know the true gospel will easily fall for his shenanigans!
Crystal(Quote)
Beginning and End says
June 9, 2015 at 1:44 amHi Crystal,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I praise God that you and your husband have God’s gift of discernment to not be fooled by wolves in sheep clothing. God bless you abundantly. -B&E
Beginning and End(Quote)
Andrew Weaver says
June 24, 2015 at 5:41 pmThose who think that God would direct them to give to a multi-millionare preacher need to read Proverbs 22:16, which says: “He that oppreseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” So, God is against us giving to muti-millionare preachers who live a luxurious life style. If we continue to give to these super-rich preachers, we are just as guilty as they are.
I believe the solution would be for everyone to boycott giving to these super rich preachers. If you are a member of a church where the pastor lives such a luxurious life style, you need to stop attending the services there and instead attend services of a church that has a pastor who lives with integrity not only in his finances but in every area in his life. If he does not live with integrity, it doesn’t matter how good he preaches.
By the way, I am a Rhema graduate. Before he died, Kenneth Hagin had a special meeting in Tulsa for many of the most well known of these super rich preachers and he rebuked them for living such lavish life styles. He wrote a book to correct these excesses called “The Midas Touch” and it is in a pdf file that you can download from the internet without charge.
Andrew Weaver(Quote)
Virgilio says
November 28, 2015 at 7:19 pmLord I pray that we as a family are drawn close together and are united. I also pray for our finances to be improved.I am 16 months unemployed now due to old age, I am 55 years old seaman .I hope that I can find an employment or can have a money to start a business as soon as possible to support the needs of my family.LORD, Please put your miraculous hands over my family to heal us of our health problems and sickness. Me, Virgilio, my wife Clarita and my three kids Marc Hansel, Hazel Iris and Kristel Mae.
Virgilio(Quote)
abey says
November 29, 2015 at 2:47 amJehovah Jireh that neither sink nor crash.
abey(Quote)
Jonathan rodriguez says
January 6, 2016 at 6:25 amI would like to see proof– of the congregation members of that church that are struggling to pay their bills..-??
Do you have proof..a petition –?
If there is wealthy unbeliever
What about a wealthy believer-?
I bet not ONE of you..no..not ONE..that wrote something against dr.i.v. hilliard has ever been a millionaire or entrepeneur…before getting good called into ministry..as Peter was..he owned his own business..period ! He knew about how to manage a business..then..to rely on jesus…in business..
He even gave your ..our jesus a BOAT…
Judas went to he’ll for sounding the same way about money…quote-‘jesus..what about the poor-” ?..give them money..that’s in the treasury…then.”…
Why did Jesus own a boat-?..
Why did Jesus become a carpenter-?..
Do carpenters..own their own homes-?..would you be homeless if you were a carpenter &knew how to build a house &home…he was also a prophet…! Yuck…you try being a flat footed prophet….! Everything becomes literal !! Almost as if a curse…
Study literalism..you won’t ever like Jesus again the same way & you will repent !
Suffer-?..
Dr i.v. hilliard…4 rehabilitation facilities…among other things…
How many rehabilitated people do you help…-?
Try fasting &being broke while God is breaking you…not cool…over a process of time that church accumulated what was reported about…
Ok..some of his tactics seem strange..
Have you ever pastored..a deacon board..of deacons..staff..church..paid the bills-‘?salaries
Congregation..-?…
How much do sermon cassettes cost-?..
If you want to listen to them yet universities charge…a fee-?..
Money complex detected …
Miser…
Jews reject jesus..-?..so did judas…
Abraham..in hell..had no water…none…
Find out why—””?…
Ask God to teach you why no water for abraham..in hell..and abraham in paradise…
What do you know about suffering…
We need to repent first instead of
Not teaching how to seek the kingdom & throwing stones at laborers..that’s called jealousy…
Jonathan rodriguez(Quote)
abey says
February 17, 2016 at 9:58 amFoxes have holes, birds have the skies even as pastors want helicopters, but the son of man has no place to rest his head.
abey(Quote)
Jonathan rodriguez says
January 6, 2016 at 6:43 amThe way you write makes it seem like we..are not supposed to have money in this lifetime..
Just pie in the sky christianity…
Wait to get to heaven & many mansions but no mansion here on earth…
Eternal life but not abundant life..not even wealth..
Seek ye 1st..that means always fasting..’?..no food-?..
Take no thought..food…etc..
We don’t live it..then..
Treasures in heaven
Treasures in earthen vessel
In earthen vessel
If you preach..& look bad..broke..impoverished..
You have no business preaching..
You promote a poor perspective of god..
Ok..maybe you are in transition.
You don’t need a plane..helicopter..or big home
You are at your .. ( your )..belief system..
Even monetarily..finances.
Salary..
Don’t ever ask for a raise on your job then..
Do you desire a better raise..salary..job..
Sound familiar-?…
Desire..- of father…
Son of man hath no place to lay his head..Jesus spoke..yet owned a boat given to him-?..
A parable…
I wish for them the best..
Treasures in heaven too..
So I know I can also believe for the same
Yet I don’t need an airplane..helicopter..
Don’t mean I’m hating
I know of a man..a bishop that owns 5 homes
What do you have to say about that-?..
Another bishop..owns almost 5- 10 cars..now.. over a process of many years….lol..
All legal..
Guess what..just like businessmen and Jay leno…
No ok new says anything about Jay leno b/c Jay leno don’t preach…
Yet…5 homes..5 cars..for a well known bishop…
No jail-? Why..
Maybe that bishop gives..
If their partners are struggling..& don’t have a car..home..business
It’s a process..
it’s all their fault…also..then…
The giving was / can be a punishment..tricked by god as jacob was tricked…by laban..trickery…sometimes..
God is also the blacksmith..the devil..yet no weapon formed against you shall prosper..-?..
Giving hurts & giving heals..
Mephibosheth
Jonathan rodriguez(Quote)
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voyance gratuit amour(Quote)
emmanuel says
May 27, 2016 at 1:23 amkindly pray for us
iam a rent paster,need a house
if yoy have cd’s sermon send us
paster emmanuel
emmanuel(Quote)
Ray Young says
July 3, 2016 at 11:34 amOur pastor’s are earthly representatives of the true and living God. The most high God. I would be very careful not to take upon my self to use the term “false prophets” so loosely. The word speak of wolves in sheep cloth, but it also ask us to not put our mouths on his preachers. When we put our mouth on the pastor, we find ourselves in a self righteous position. Be careful my friend, going about to establish our own righteousness is no good and who called you to do so. Think about God as the father and preachers and believers as his children. Now think about your self Mr. or Mrs. Writer, as the father or mother of your children. You provide your children with the best of everything: The best car, the best clothes, the best education, the best in every area of their lives. God the father is no different! Above all things, he desire we be in good health, that we do well in the earth. He willingly provide us with the desires of our heart. God does not need you are I to judge his preachers. We all will stand in his judgement one day. So critics,writers etc…make it easy on yourself stay in right standing with The Almighty God. Wanna help? Pray for Pastors, pray for your enemies! Love your brother! Bishop Hilliard is a man of high character and extreme integrity. All the other ministers mentioned in the article are great men of God as well. God warned us of the idiots and wolves…I dare you(Writer and critic) visit either pastor with an open mind, a clean heart and ears to hear. Be blessed.
Ray Young(Quote)
Patrice Bell says
August 30, 2017 at 9:33 amThis article…..lol. I love them. They are awesome teachers and I am not a church member!
Patrice Bell(Quote)
karen says
September 13, 2017 at 11:57 pmChristians wander why we are losing the fight to worldly attributes. When you have a Pastor’s family living in a house like this, come on. The lost can never be won over with what I call “Pep Rally Christians”. Those Christians never have a tough sermon to preach or to few guest rooms for family visiting.
karen(Quote)
Chip says
February 26, 2018 at 7:09 pmAnd you wonder why people don’t want to go to church! I laugh at the members dumb enough that support and follow such a false pastor and crook. He is just another David (Waco) Koresh, and those that follow false prophets are fools! Keep giving the devil your money!
Chip(Quote)
Dean says
September 11, 2018 at 1:44 pmChip laughs – and Jesus loves you for it too…… j/k
Dean(Quote)
DEAN says
September 11, 2018 at 1:34 pmRay Young says
July 3, 2016 at 11:34 am
Our pastor’s are earthly representatives of the true and living God. The most high God. I would be very careful not to take upon my self to use the term “false prophets” so loosely. The word speak of wolves in sheep cloth, but it also ask us to not put our mouths on his preachers. When we put our mouth on the pastor, we find ourselves in a self righteous position. Be careful my friend, going about to establish our own righteousness is no good
RAY you simply dont know what your talking about, this article written is correct not only in what it says, but also the right to say it…… the thief is suppose to be pointed out since many Christians (dont see) AND the wordly (do see) the man and wife above lie against Christ and the true teachings of His word. Because you are blind does not mean that those who because of scripture that see should be quiet to appease those like you who are blind…… no man represents Christ when his deeds and actions go against scripture.
Those men and women who tell others to give to be blessed if they so believed their message could simply give all their millions and God would bless them back many many millions more, yet we dont see that happen do we? Its always for the sheep to give and where oh where does the word teach that a pastor is to become rich off the backs of the sheep? Its amazing the OP gives the scripture used by these thiefs in context and many above have argued against such…… iqnorance is not of Christ…..
DEAN(Quote)
abey says
September 12, 2018 at 11:22 pmThere are two gangs , the Gallen & Gulen cultivated by Protestant America(spiritually Sodom & Egypt) ruled by the Sodomic Leftists & Violent Neo-Cons, for the cause of Christian/Islam Apostasy through Sodom & Violence, reveals the Transgendered One under the “birds foot” stop the Freemasonic US Capitol Dome Lo EGYPT, off the synagogues of Satan, in its works of “Intimidation & Seduction governing the two houses of the US Congress underscored in Violence & Sodom unto the prophecy of the days of Noe & Lot resp when it was the same Violence & Sodom the cause of the Two utter destructions then.
The Transgendered One all that is contrary
to Holy Mary even in gender, reveals the latter day manifestation of the Enmity put by God at Eden.
abey(Quote)
Marie says
February 16, 2019 at 4:24 amI just read the letter. Where do I give my $52?
Marie(Quote)