More Profits for the Prophets
Meet Lowell Mims. According to his website Mims is an evangelist. Not an evangelist of the gospel mind you but a ‘church growth' evangelist. His website includes endorsements from a plethora of named and unnamed pastors and church leaders. As one might expect his website also has a Products page but unlike most wolves this one has only a single product for sale, a 4 tape series entitled “Taking Your City For God”.
But don’t worry. Mims is not subsisting on a $20 tape series and the goodwill offerings of the flock. No, it seems his real talents lie in the Multi-Level-Marketing (MLM) business. Mims has been involved in several MLM schemes including a weight loss pill and the now defunct Destiny Telecom . But it’s his latest MLM venture that has State Attorney Generals all over the
BioPerformance is a pill that the company claims will increase gas mileage in cars by 20% or more when used regularly. Actually that’s not quite fair. The company itself never makes that claim. They cleverly use testimonials from unnamed supposedly satisfied users. The website includes a disclaimer which says right up front that the product has not been independently tested but they nevertheless believe the testimonials to be true. I suppose they thought this little ruse would shield them from legal liability but if they did, they were wrong.
The Texas Attorney General has shut down the company with an injunction and has Mims in court defending his claims and business practices. Testimony from expert witnesses has shown that the product is almost 100% naphthalene, a highly toxic chemical also known as moth balls. Independent tests have confirmed that the product has no positive effect on gas mileage and some experts have stated that prolonged use of naphthalene could damage car engines. Additionally both Mims and his sidekick, company Vice President Gus Romero, have admitted to transferring over $2 million each from a company account into their personal accounts only days before the Texas Attorney General froze the company assets.
A bishop then must be blameless……. not greedy of filthy lucre;……. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without 1Tim 3:2-7
Lowell Mims is the epitome of the wolf in sheep clothing. He comes claiming to be an evangelist but in reality is nothing more than a covetous liar making merchandise of Gods people. Since the church refuses to deal with greedy wolves like Mims in the proper biblical manner, God is using the secular world to expose their wicked hearts.
It is clear that Mims is a con man but what about other high profile preachers who use their popularity to promote products from which they personally profit? Even if the product is legitimate, is this a proper role for an apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher or pastor?
What about celebrity millionaire preachers Paula and Randy White and their late night infomercial selling something called Omega XL fatty acid pills at $49.95 a pop?
Or how about James and Betty Robison and their infomercials for a sub lingual B-12 vitamin product called Tri-Vita? While B-12 has been shown to be effective for some people, this M.D. says it is of little value to most and is seriously over priced in the infomercial.
And then of course we have the grand-daddy of preacher hucksters the most Reverend Pat Robertson. On the CBN website, Robertson shamelessly promote his “Age Defying Shake” formula not to mention the “age defying pancakes”, “age defying antioxidants” , and Pat’s weight loss DVD. Robertson’s belief in the power of vitamins may have helped him to leg press 2,000 lbs but it sure didn’t stop him from having to undergo surgery for prostate cancer in 2003.
Let’s not forget the Ron Popeil of religious broadcasters Jerry Falwell. Reverend Jerry not only sells the usual books and tapes from his religious bookstore but he’s done what any good business man does – he has diversified. In Jerry World you can buy the Liberty University Home Study Course, purchase a retirement home at Liberty Village, set up any number of annuities or insurance programs (just in case you can’t wait until you die to give your money to Jerry) and since Tim LaHaye is on the Liberty University Board of Trustees you can order autographed copies of Tim’s ridiculous Left Behind Series.
Now I am well aware that Paul supported himself and his ministry as a tent maker but do you think that Paul used his position of authority among the people of God to enrich himself through commerce?
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: 1Cor 4:11
Do you suppose that when Paul spoke to the believers in
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Cor 2:2
Do you realize that in just a few short years after the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, a dozen men and their disciples preached the gospel to almost the entire known world. They didn’t have the technology we have today. They didn’t private jets, satellite television or millions of dollars. But what they did have was faith and obedience and through faith and obedience they completed the task to which they were called
But that’s not how we do it today is it? No sir, today it’s different, today it takes millions of dollars to preach the gospel. And if some of those millions end up in the pockets of our modern apostles and prophets, well, that’s just a sign of God’s blessing upon them isn’t it.
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself
But godliness with contentment is great gain 1Tim 6:5-6
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Steve Lumbley 2006 www.apostasywatch.com
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