Thoughts.com

ABOVE: "Dr." Mike Murdock , as he likes to be called. Of course , his "doctorate" is an honorary doctorate from International Seminary in Florida which is NOT accredited!

My friends , Mike Murdock , was born Michael Dean Murdock on April 18, 1946 , in Lake Charles , Louisiana. He was educated in LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, and in Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie for three semesters.

Now , Murdock is a yet another "claim it and take it" televangelist. Of course , with a different twist ( including twisting Scripture )! You see , his scam is to get you to "sow your money seed" ( to him , of course ) , in order to resolve all your financial - as well as , any other problems or difficulties you may have...or things you may want.

Murdock really takes the concept of sowing and reaping to new heights , I have to tell you. He always begins his "shakedown" messages by talking about being "obedient." But...obedient to whom? Himself , of course.

He then tells his biblically uneducated audience that if they do not "sow a seed of xxx amount," they will never get out of debt and / or be prosperous. BUT...if they DO "sow a seed in 'obedience,' " then he will ask ( in Jesus' name , of course ) , for God to bless them with "whatever you need or want." He'll go on to say that , "I will pray for a miracle to happen to you , and it WILL happen!"

Yeah , right , Mike!

Obviously "Dr." Murdock hasn't the faintest idea of the biblical use of the word "miracle." If he did , he would know that a miracle , as used in the biblical context , was to confirm a TRUTH! ( which disqualifies him right off the bat )! In other words , Jesus performed many miracles to show that He was in fact who He claimed to be. Miracles were also used to authenticate the performer of the miracles ( e.g., the apostles  ; see Acts 2:22 ; 2 Cor. 12:12 ; Heb. 2:4 ).

We now have the truth of Jesus recorded in Scripture. We now have the writings of the apostles recorded in Scripture. Jesus and His apostles, as recorded in Scripture, are the cornerstone and foundation of our faith ( Eph. 2:20 ). In this sense, miracles are no longer necessary, as the message of Jesus and His apostles has already been attested to and accurately recorded in the Scriptures. Yes, God can still performs miracles today , but at the same time, we should not necessarily expect miracles to occur today just as they did in Bible times.

Now , getting back to the topic of sowing and reaping. Why doesn't Murdock explain it TRUTHFULLY? Since he won't , allow me. You see , by studying the Law of Moses, we find that every six years, Jewish farmers were to allow the land to rest for one full year. Likewise, they could do no sowing in their fields on the seventh day or weekly Sabbath ( cf. Ex. 23:10-11 ; Lev. 25:3-4 ). Unfortunately, Judah violated this law for 490 years ( their disobedience to GOD! ) Because of this violation, God took the land away from them for exactly 70 years during the Babylonian captivity! ( see 2 Chron. 36:21 ).

Now , when Christ came , ( and this is something you'll never hear Murdock and his ilk tell you ) , is that in the teachings of Christ, what was "sown" was a message, and what was "reaped" was the result of that message. Likewise, in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles to the churches, we find numerous examples where a message is sown and the results are reaped. This New Covenant reaping is not the same as in the agricultural life. In farming, you only reap one plant from each seed you sow, but in sowing the message of the Kingdom, as in Matthew 13, you can reap 100, 60, or 30 people who receive that message!

You got THAT , Mike?!

Jesus Himself says in Matthew 13:23 , "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Herein is the real 100-fold return: "Preaching the message of the Kingdom and reaping 100 souls who receive that message!"

Now..in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, the "sowing of the message" about the needs of the poor saints at Jerusalem is a good example. The message is sown but money is reaped. By sowing throughout Asia Minor bountifully, they would reap alms more bountifully to give to the poor saints. Conversely, by sowing the message sparingly, they would reap sparingly. Again, it was the message sown! ( cf. 2 Cor. 9:5-13 ).

My friends , we see that there is no reference to the "sowing of money" ( NOT to be confused with TITHING ) , in the entire Bible. This reference of sowing the message for the poor saints at Jerusalem was mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 16. Here Paul asks them in advance to start collecting a special offering on the first day of each week. Upon Paul's arrival, this entire collection was sent for the relief of the poor saints at Jerusalem ( see 1 Cor. 16:1-3 ).

Also , Paul's letter to the Galatians is another example of a message being sown. The "sowing and reaping" in Galatians 6 was sowing a message to the flesh or to the Spirit. Sowing to the flesh is teaching human works. Sowing to the Spirit is teaching who Christ is and the work He does within the human soul ( see Gal. 6:7-8 ).

Everything he ( Murdock ) speaks of finds its way back onto "seed faith." He once said:

“Every seed you’ve sown it will soon be multiplied , its closer than you can imagine ,  God’s miracle supply.”

And..

“The seed leaves your hand and goes into the future where it will multiply.” “Something in your hand will create anything you want in the future” ( LeSea April 26, 2002 ). Anything YOU WANT -- by giving money to his ministry!

Oner thing you CAN be guaranteed by listening to Mike Murdock , is you will not get sound Biblical doctrine! He finds verses as motivation for money and blessings.

In one of his books , Murdock wrote ( from  Wisdom key 46 ):

"When you let go of what’s in your hand God will let go of what’s in his hand”  Really is that how the Bible says it works? Not at all, but this is how he says God works. This guy is smooth and has enough persuasiveness to talk the spots off a leopard. He has learned from one of the best. Murdock attributes his knowledge of seed faith to his mentor Oral Roberts. He is a Founding Trustee on the Board of International Charismatic Bible Ministries with Dr. Oral Roberts. Roberts was the inventor of seed faith and his disciples have taken it to places he never imagined. He asked Oral Roberts, who is a mentor in his life “what’s the greatest secret you ever discovered in your lifetime?” Oral said without a moments hesitation ... “sowing for a desired result, taking something I have been given to something I have been promised. Taking something in my hand and putting back in his hand knowing it will multiply. Letting go of something I can see to create something I can’t see. Letting go of something in my hand expecting he will let go of something that his hand.” This is from the father of the seed faith teaching. As Roberts has stated on his own program “ if your faith grows, if you make it as a seed it will increase. The other word for faith is increase, the other word for seed is increase”( Oral Roberts Miracle Broadcast 1997 LeSea broadcasting ). Please go to the Bible and look this up to confirm if this is true. IT IS NOT!!

So , what does Jesus mean in Luke 6:38 when He says , "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."?

Well , first we need to notice it is a genuine generosity, not a give to get something! The bosom was the front part of the peoples garments, so the purchase (often wheat or something like it) could be carried in it. In their trading or buying in the market the seller would not press down the grain and have the buyer’s purchase of wheat filled with air (so they got less). They were to be fair and press the grain down until it ran over the edge. This had to do with fair balances. Micah 6:11 says ,"Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?" The application is ones attitude of dealing with or giving to the poor and needy. The man who is liberal and fair in his dealings will find others liberal to and fair to him. They were not to be harsh with trading or money they were not to take advantage of someone who is poor or needy. Try calling Murdock and ask him if he will help you with your financial difficulties by him "planting a seed of faith," and let me know what he says.

Murdock will also quote John 14:14 at times , "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." What he WON'T explain to you though , is when Jesus said those words , we must remember that we are asking in His Name - that is , according to HIS will - NOT ours - or MURDOCK'S! God will not grant requests contrary to His nature or His will ,and we cannot use His Name as a magic formula to fulfill our selfish desires . If we are sincerely following God and seeking to do His will , then our requests will be in line with what He wants , and He will grant them ( see also 15:16 ; 16:23 ).

Now , many of you may ask , "Well , if Mike Murdock and his ilk are false teachers , why does God allow them to deceive and prosper?" And that is a valid question , my friends. The answer can be found in Psalms 73:2-5. The writer of this Psalm was a man named Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs. Asaph was looking at these people who didn't have problems. They could pay their bills. They had plenty to eat and plenty of luxuries. But poor Asaph was stuck with directing the choir and trying to live godly. And to add insult to injury, it didn't seem to be getting him anywhere. He began not only to envy these people, but even to question God as to why He would allow such a thing to happen!

How often do we find ourselves relating to Asaph? We dedicate our lives to serving God. Then we witness the wicked, the ungodly people around us get new cars, luxurious homes, promotions, beautiful clothes, and take fabulous trips, while we struggle to pay the electric bill. The answer lies in the rest of the psalm. Asaph envied these evil people until he realized one very important thing. When he entered the sanctuary of God, he fully understood their final destiny ( see Psalms 73:16-20 ). Those who have temporary riches on earth are in reality spiritual beggars because they do not have true riches—eternal life!

Lastly , let's look at Mike Murdocks personal wealth and possessions , courtesy of :
http://www.trinityfi.org/press/murdock01.html .

It states in part: ( emphasis mine )

"Murdock says he drives a BMW 745, which typically sells for $69,000 to $75,000. He used to prefer driving a Porsche to the ministry. He has had at his disposal a ministry Corvette, Jaguar and Mercedes, Lincoln Continentals and, since August, a corporate jet valued at $300,000 to $500,000.

Murdock lives in a Spanish-style, 3,177-square-foot adobe house that he calls Hacienda de Paz – or "House of Peace." He, not the ministry, owns it.

Also on the grounds is a 1,660-square-foot building whose use is unclear. The 6.8-acre estate, east of Argyle, was valued at $482,027 by the Denton Central Appraisal District in 2002, documents show.

Murdock has a second Rolex watch, besides the $25,000 one he often wears, he said during an appearance Oct. 19 in Grapevine. He didn't state its value.

Murdock has said he was given the watches, expensive suits, several Chevrolet Corvettes, the BMW and a rare Vetta Ventura sports car – one of 19 made.

From 1993 to 2000, IRS records show his compensation package averaged $241,685 a year, or about 9 percent of the $21,040,299 the ministry took in during that period.

By comparison, in 2000, the combined expense accounts for the chief executive officers or directors of the five largest Christian nonprofit organizations – who oversaw a collective $1.5 billion in revenue – was $25,671.

In 2000, Millard Fuller, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity, oversaw an organization with $165 million in revenue and was paid $79,800 – $76,000 in salary and $3,800 in contributions to a benefit plan."

ABOVE: Mike Murdock often speaks about the poverty of his childhood. "I have a Ph.D. in sucking chicken necks," he has jokes. Now he lives in this nearly 7-acre estate east of argyle. On the grounds, he has kept exotic animals, including a lion and a monkey. He also had 24 speakers wired in trees so he could hear gospel music everywhere on the estate.

ABOVE: Mike Murdock, president and director of the Mike Murdock Evangelistic Association, has had several luxury vehicles at his disposal. Some belong to him, and some are owned by the ministry. The BMW, work at least $69,000, was a gift, Murdock says, while the ministry bought the Jaguar. He says he got an idea that allowed him to buy the Cessna Citation 500, worth $300,000 to $500,000. Federal Aviation Administration documents show that the jet belongs to the ministry.

So , my friends , do NOT be deceived by this guy. By donating your hard-earned money to him and his ilk , you are NOT placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ , but in a mortal MAN!

Also , search your own motives for giving. Are they for your WANTS - or your NEEDS? Jesus WILL provide for your NEEDS - and oftentimes , your wants - IF...they are HIS WILL for you to have them. We are told this in Matthew 6:25-34. In verse 25 He tells us:

"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?"

And in verses 30-33 , He says:

"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."

Leave Murdock and his ilk to themselves , "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" ( Matt. 15:14 ).

Until next time , may God bless and keep you all -

In His Service ; Pastor Mike
The Living Water Church