Megachurch Pastor Keion Henderson has drawn the criticism of Bible-believing pastors and Christians in latest days over a resurfaced clip from one in every of his 2023 sermons during which he’s seen telling congregants that they will not get “wealth” or blessing from God by giving to the poor however solely once they tithe to church.
Within the controversial clip taken from a Nov. 5, 2023, sermon entitled “It’s All About The Benjamins,” the founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Church & Ministries in Houston, Texas, stated he finds it problematic that each time somebody is in want, the church likes to donate cash to them.
“Let me tell you something: the poor will be with you always, and there is no blessing connected to blessing the poor other than getting back what you gave to them, but no multiplication,” Henderson stated.
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“Multiplication is segregated for tithes and offering. When you give to the poor, the only thing you do is help them, but you don’t help yourself,” he insisted.
“So when you give a dollar to somebody on the street talking about ‘I did my job, God.’ Like thank you, but it ain’t going to help you,” Henderson stated. “Read your Bible. Charity does not bring wealth, only the tithe does that.”
When contacted by The Christian Publish for touch upon his message Wednesday, Brian Smith, a spokesperson for The Gentle Home Church & Ministries, stated in a press release that Henderson’s message was taken out of context.
“Unfortunately, the few seconds shown are completely without the context of the entire message, which is that one should not wholly substitute tithing with giving to individuals. It is absolutely not true that the sermon was meant to discourage individual, reasonable service,” Smith stated.
“Rather, in addition to this reasonable service, one should also give to God because it is He who can provide the multiplication, thereby allowing one to use His blessings to aid their brothers and sisters.”
The Lighthouse Church & Ministries spokesperson listed the church’s personal historical past of charitable giving.
“The Church’s benevolence program has provided more than $451,000 this year in charitable giving, including to neighbors in need, local students, and scholarships to graduating high school seniors. In August, our Lightfest back-to-school event gave free school supplies to 700 local kids. We have 30 different ministries that bring hope, strength, and love to anyone seeking God’s Grace and Salvation,” Smith stated whereas arguing that Malachi 3:10 requires Christians to tithe.
Nonetheless, public reactions to Henderson’s message within the clip haven’t been supportive. Some critics imagine the pastor was attempting to govern his followers to extract as a lot cash from them as potential.
“What Keion Henderson is preaching is not of God. This is blasphemy,” wrote Dallas Cowboys beat author Clarence Hill Jr. on X. “Preaching well and being true to God are not one and the same. This man wants your money. He is not trying to save souls.”
Pastor John Wesley of Reality Unveiling Ministries dismissed Henderson’s message as inconsistent with biblical teachings.
“He was better off saying just give me your money than coming up with something that does not coincide with the text,” Wesley stated whereas pointing to Acts 20:35.
The Scripture states: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Wesley urged Henderson was hypocritical in his teachings since he lately claimed that God informed him his followers would give him $4.4 million in three weeks. Henderson claimed that after Hurricane Beryl prompted $20 million in harm to 3 of his church’s 4 campuses this summer time, God informed him He broken the church buildings so he may rebuild services twice as large.
“God gave me a vision, and He said we can do it in 21 days. I’m asking 2,100 people to give $2,100 in the next 21 days, and what we’re calling it is ‘Out of the Harbor,'” Henderson stated. “I call you from California. I call you from New York. I call you from Florida. I call you from the U.K. I call you from Africa to join us in our call to action: 2,100 people, $2,100, 21 days, to kickstart our efforts to get back into our building.”
When requested if God delivered the $4.4 million in three weeks, Smith solely famous that the church “received a generous outpouring.”
“After the launch of the Out of the Harbor campaign, we received a generous outpouring from our members, as well as friends around the world. We are grateful for their love and support in our seasons of resilience, revival, and rejoicing,” Smith stated.
Wesley urged it will be unconscionable for Henderson to endorse a message like this now, notably on condition that so many individuals are affected by storm harm across the nation.
“The truth of the matter is, it’s all about the money. There’s people right now who are suffering due to the storms. Why would you tell people that there’s no blessing in giving to the poor? Who do you think the Gospel was preached to throughout the text? Our Lord, He helped the poor people,” Wesley argued.
“When He blessed them, He [didn’t] look for anything in return. The Lord said, ‘When I was hungry, you didn’t feed Me.’ He was speaking to the goats, the people who pretended like they had love, but they didn’t show any compassion towards the poor.”
Wesley quoted Proverbs 19:17 to criticize Henderson’s message, which states: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Pastor Sydney Hart of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church of Dunnellon in Florida agreed with Wesley’s place.
“What he (Henderson) said doesn’t line up with the Word of God. The idea that giving to the poor does not result in a blessing for the giver but only benefits the recipient is not consistent with biblical teaching,” Hart wrote on Fb.
“The Bible speaks of God’s blessings and favor being poured out on those who show compassion and generosity, including giving to the poor,” he stated, citing Proverbs 19:17.
“This text is quite clear: giving to the poor is viewed as lending to God Himself, and God promises to reward the giver. The reward may not always be material, but there is definitely a promise of blessing. People this is why we have to read our Bible for ourselves,” he stated.
Hart cited Proverbs 28:27, which warns that not giving to the poor will entice curses.
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,” the Scripture says. “But those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
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“Well bless their hearts.”
