Is this an example of Modern Day Money Changers?!?!?!?!

[cheewiee]

Ok, I was on another BBS in a thread similar to the Church closed on Christmas thread I posted here... And somone posted this...

T.D. Jakes Homepage (http://www.tdjakes.org/)

link in the discussion of the commercialisim of Christianity....

Somone else noticed the T.D. Jakes Credit Card offered in the lower part of the page...

I clicked through the link, all the way to this website...
http://www.sharingway.com/

Basicly the deal behind this organization is that they take a portion of the processing fees and that goes to organizations.... Like the T.D. Jakes card, everytime you use it a portion of the .02% of your purchase goes to his ministry...

Anyway while I understand that no matter what these fees are going to be paid no matter what... It seems I dunno shady.. fishy... below board to offer a credit Card with a ministers name on it...

Although It seems like a great way to raise money for churches... to me it jus smacks of money changers in the temple... I dunno.....

[mat1583]

Ok, I was on another BBS in a thread similar to the Church closed on Christmas thread I posted here... And somone posted this...

T.D. Jakes Homepage (http://www.tdjakes.org/)

link in the discussion of the commercialisim of Christianity....

Somone else noticed the T.D. Jakes Credit Card offered in the lower part of the page...

I clicked through the link, all the way to this website...
http://www.sharingway.com/

Basicly the deal behind this organization is that they take a portion of the processing fees and that goes to organizations.... Like the T.D. Jakes card, everytime you use it a portion of the .02% of your purchase goes to his ministry...

Anyway while I understand that no matter what these fees are going to be paid no matter what... It seems I dunno shady.. fishy... below board to offer a credit Card with a ministers name on it...

Although It seems like a great way to raise money for churches... to me it jus smacks of money changers in the temple... I dunno.....

That would be one heck of a credit card, because according to scripture Christians are told not to charge brother and sisters interest when borrowing money. So is his credit card 0% interest? :)


of course, a lot of that comes from Levitical law, so i suppose he could claim that...

-washboard

[cheewiee]

That would be one heck of a credit card, because according to scripture Christians are told not to charge brother and sisters interest when borrowing money. So is his credit card 0% interest? :)


of course, a lot of that comes from Levitical law, so i suppose he could claim that...

-washboard

Ahh... The interest angle.. I didn't even consider that......

[middletree]

Well, there are several things to consider here. The money changers that Jesus had a problem with were essentially cheating people by giving them less than their money's worth. They came from foreign lands, but the Temple would only accept local currency, so the money changes were there to make money conversions. Thing is, their idea of exchange rate was very unfair. Jesus didn't appreciate this for good reason.

Now, I'm no fan of TD Jakes' doctrine, as he's a Oneness guy. But I have been impressed with some of his messages and the way he's reaching out in modern ways, such as "Woman, Thou art Loosed", which I understand to be a powerful book and film. He cares for women and tells them not to put up with abuse, and he does so in a part of town where that view is not well-received (I drive by his church every day on the way to and from work).

For a while, my wife and I had a long distance service where we could specify a particular ministry to receive a percentage of profits from our calls. I don't think that in general, it's a bad practice. But I don't know the particulars of Jakes' financial situation, so I am not sure I can comment either way. But I do know that he funnels a lot of money into the community, to a group of people who need help, and who need Jesus.

[cheewiee]

Well, there are several things to consider here. The money changers that Jesus had a problem with were essentially cheating people by giving them less than their money's worth. They came from foreign lands, but the Temple would only accept local currency, so the money changes were there to make money conversions. Thing is, their idea of exchange rate was very unfair. Jesus didn't appreciate this for good reason.

Now, I'm no fan of TD Jakes' doctrine, as he's a Oneness guy. But I have been impressed with some of his messages and the way he's reaching out in modern ways, such as "Woman, Thou art Loosed", which I understand to be a powerful book and film. He cares for women and tells them not to put up with abuse, and he does so in a part of town where that view is not well-received (I drive by his church every day on the way to and from work).

For a while, my wife and I had a long distance service where we could specify a particular ministry to receive a percentage of profits from our calls. I don't think that in general, it's a bad practice. But I don't know the particulars of Jakes' financial situation, so I am not sure I can comment either way. But I do know that he funnels a lot of money into the community, to a group of people who need help, and who need Jesus.

I see what your saying... This money is being spend regardless.... If somone uses a Credit card all of the processing fees are charged and what not... So it isn't costing the people more money per say...

I don't think I would have much of a problem if it were say a Missionary organization who used ALL the proceedes he earned to go towards a feeding program or something like that....

I dunno... Perhaps It's just a gray area and I perfer to stay out of the grey areas...

[Nilknarf]

Look at it this way. If you are going to use a Credit Card, then you are going to pay fees that go to a corporation. That corporation may be involved in advertising on or otherwise being financially involved in any number of ugly businesses. So that is, at least the argument for the lesser of two... I do like to see my money being used as much as is possible for furthering the kingdom.

but it is kind of weird to have a pastor's name/face/whatever, on a credit card, isn't it???

[Pouye]

I think every church should give out (to members) church specific credit cards with the pastor's face on it, except that they should charge 10% interest on all purchases. ;)

Rock

[middletree]

but it is kind of weird to have a pastor's name/face/whatever, on a credit card, isn't it???

It might seem that way, depending on your background and race. Yes, I said race. I personally am against anything that makes the pastor stand out. I don't even like it when I see a pastor's name on the chuch sign out front.

But I also have to back up and understand that in black American churches, the flock is considered very much to be followers of the pastor. He gets a lot more focus than what we are used to in mostly white churches.

I mainly know this from a couple of black friends who have made this clear to me, and also what I see when I drive through South Dallas every day on the way to work. Lots of billboards with the pastor's picture and name in large letters, with the name of the church in smaller letters. That sort of thing.

I'm not going to judge this as right or wrong, because I don't have the background or experience in black churches to do so. I have to acknowledge that it is very possible for someone to have such a pastor-centric viewpoint and still place Jesus above the pastor.

Once this is grasped, it is easier to understand why it is not so weird for Jakes' followers to embrace his picture on the credit card.

[RevZeek]

I think every church should give out (to members) church specific credit cards with the pastor's face on it, except that they should charge 10% interest on all purchases. ;)

Rock

LOL! That's pretty funny! :D