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The Biblical Road to Blessing

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First, the title grabs my attention. Blessing. Will he be like the false prosperity teachers on TBN, who he appears frequently side-by-side with? I thought so. But... I was wrong. In fact, he says he is against name-it-and-claim-it. He writes on pg. 16:

"I am writing this book because of the human need that I see all around me and the opportunity that exists to take the gospel to the world-- but I am also writing because there is so much misunderstanding about the blessings of God. The Bible does not teach the sort of theology that is often called "name it and claim it." Actually, I prefer to call it "blab it and grab it"! I want to state this very plainly so that there is no misunderstanding: if you are reading this book to learn how to get rich, you are not only starting in the wrong place, you are reading the wrong book."

OK, so he is against "name-it-and-claim-it," as TBN preachers like Kenneth Copeland & Kenneth Hagin teach and those in the word-faith movement. However, when he says "if you want to get rich, then you are reading the wrong book," he is not being truthful. Because later, although he does present a balanced view on what prosperity can mean, including all the intangible things like a relationship with God, he also includes wealth. I think if someone really did want to get rich, this book would indeed inspire them to this goal, unlike what Hinn states above. I'll give evidence to this below.

Chapter 5 is called "True Biblical Prosperity." In this chapter, he presents a balanced picture of prosperity, even noting how Helen Keller was blessed, even though she had no sight and hearing. Let me stop right there and show you a huge discontinuity. In his other booklet, "The Miracle of Healing," pg. 37, he says:

"The Word of the Lord declares that God sent His son, and because Jesus came, no sickness has any legal right over you. I believe that it is possible for each of us to grasp this truth and to realize the reality of our inheritance of healing and health."

This inconsistency shows that Benny Hinn is not living in truth, in presenting his real beliefs, unless his beliefs have changed and he has never clarified himself (not likely). He must think, if he is consistent, that Helen Keller could have been healed by God, if she had faith in Christ. But here, he lifts her up as a model of prosperity. Huh???!!!

Back to Chapter 5... in this chapter, he tries to give a balanced view. He says "prosperity" means much more than money. It also means having "no lack," but not necessarily "no problems." He talks about Old Testament prophets who were killed and tortured for their faith (Hey Benny, don't forget living saints today all over the world still giving their lives for Christ!). He talks about how others were blessed by the giving of others, as in Acts 4 where believers shared all things in common. He talks about "prosperity" being the abiding life in Christ and in fellowship with Christ. He talks about prosperity being content with what you have (1 Timothy 6:6-10). He talks about prosperity being enjoyment, enjoying life. This is all well and good, for the most part.

Here's a major mistake in Ch. 5. On pg. 82 he says "Prosperity is no lack." Now he knows about the collection that the Apostle Paul made for the purpose of the poor Christians living in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:13-15). He mentioned it in the case of "prosperity through giving." But think for a second-- the Christians in Jerusalem needed assistance? Did they have a lack? Obviously. There's no point in a collection of money to help them if they weren't in need! Benny totally misses this point. Also, if Benny had experience with missions throughout the world, he would know the dire circumstances of many Christians around the world where they struggle for life. There is lack for true believers! There shouldn't be lack, as the wealthy in the other nations could certainly help. But in thinking that God will help them, if such "lackers" exist, Benny Hinn is claiming that God will provide for them. Then why isn't God providing for them? (Yes, Jesus did teach not to worry, because God will take care of us since he takes care of even the flowers of the field, but the point and context there was "worry," not supplying our needs. Jesus also taught us to give our money to the poor.)

On pg. 81 in Chapter 5, Benny gives a very hypocritical comment:

Most people have to take for granted what others say about enjoying life. For instance, it is easy to think that we would really enjoy life if we were millionaires. Of course, most of us will never be millionaires, so we have to take somebody else's word about whether being a millionaire results in enjoying life.

Why is this hypocritical? Because Benny does live like a millionaire, and is likely a millionaire. He sells his books and other materials on his TV show that is funded by donors. He reports nothing publicly about his income, because his ministry is organized under "a church," which by IRS rules, is not required to publicly disclose finances (unlike true parachurch 501c3 ministries which must publicly disclose). Some experts have estimated his personal income to be over 1 million annually. Dateline (the TV show) has done a couple of exposé's on his flamboyant and selfish living. Click here to read more about Dateline's expose on Benny Hinn, and Benny Hinn's response: [...]

His dateline expose was called "The Preacher's Life" and was aired on 3-6-05. Click here to watch 10 minutes of it for free:
[...]

This book focuses on the importance of knowing the wonderful plan that God our Father has in store for us. This book has been an eye-opener to me to see the bounty of God's superabundant blessings which we receive through Christ. If you want to see God's blessings flowing tremendously in our lives,if you want to know the conditions on how to receive them, if you want to know God's wonderful plan and will for our lives, whether in the areas of health, finances, job, marriage and family --- this book will surely uplift your spiritual sails! Benny Hinn outlines some biblical principles about God's plan for us on how to claim His blessings on our lives. I have been touched on one of those principles and that is on the subject of tithing. I started to act out in faith, started to give back to God what is rightfully His, claiming His Word and trusting by faith, the Lord indeed is faithful to His promises! Not only did His spiritual blessings poured out over my life, but He lifted me out of financial debt! CAUTION: This is NOT a how-to book on wealth and prosperity, this about the God's generosity and faithfulness to His children, stretching forth His hand to save us and help us in our needs which He supplies in Christ. Those who want to boldly walk and claim God's blessings on their lives, this book is for you!

Benny Hinn has done it again!This scripture-based Believer-friendly book opened the doors for me to receive God's blessings which I thought were not possible! Indeed, the Biblical Road to Blessing outlines key biblical principles in unlocking God's plan for us to receive not only spiritual blessings but also material blessings. One of the key biblical principles for us to act upon is TITHING, which I as a Bible-believing Christian do not practice. I started to trust God and give Him His due - His portion, then after a few days, the Lord blessed me not only spiritually, but financially. God was able to lift me out of debt! God is indeed the source of every blessing! CAUTION: This book is NOT a how-to prosperity success book, this is about RECEIVING GOD's BLESSINGS IN ONE's LIFE. This book is one of a kind! If you want to receive God's blessings, how to walk boldly claiming His promises to His superabundant graces, and discerning the will of God for our life, whether concerning our health, our finances, our spiritual life,marriage and family, name it... this book will surely transform your life! Thank God for authors like Benny Hinn!

No doubt, giving is a test of the sincerity of our love. God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has given us everything, and we should give back generously and consistently as a response to the greatest gift of all.
Many critics of Benny Hinn's ministry have been labeled (see the review below) as "modern-day pharisees." Let me be the first to point out that most of Benny's teachings in this book, "Biblical Road to Blessing", are not based on the new covenant, but rather on his interpretation of the Old Covenant.

Based on the "God Robbing" passage in Malachi, Benny says on p. 161 that "suppose a person decided to give $1,000 dollars to a secular charity and then $100 to their church. Is that giving God the best? No, and as a result, the $1,000 that could have been an investment for eternity is now cursed..."

Don't the New Covenant scriptures give us a re-defined look at giving? The old covenant is obsolete (Heb. 8:13, 10:8-12, etc.) Jesus says that there will be many opportunities to do good. Jesus even says that sometimes the needs of the family come before the needs of the religious institution (Mark 7:10-13). Paul tells us that we are to give how WE, as temples of the New Covenant, DECIDE to give (2 Cor. 9:7) in the spirit of EQUALITY (2 Cor. 8:12-14).

Benny also writes on p. 173 that "Every miracle requires an action your part. A spiritual miracle requires a spiritual act... A physical miracle requires a physical act... A financial miracle requires a financial act." Yet, the scriptures clearly tell us "...does God give you the Holy Spirit and Work miracles among you because you obey the law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ" (Gal. 3:5, NLT).

After quoting Malachi 3:10-12, Benny teaches as a result that God as much as says, "I guarantee these results (or double your money back)!" (p. 168) Yet, Romans 11:35 states "And who could ever give him {God} so much that he would have to pay it back?".

Now, from discerning this book to discerning the author.

The reviewer below states "Benny Hinn's ministry has done nothing but help the body of Christ... Benny Hinn is not perfect and neither are you."

A few facts. All believers are part of God's priesthood, not just Benny Hinn and those who follow him. We are called to admonish one another, though all of us have sin (see 1 John 1:8).
We are to test the spirits, test all prophecies (1 Thes. 5:20-21), and even test the techings of our spiritual leaders (see Acts 17:11). Peter, though he isn't perfect, warned Simon the Sorcerer (A man who, ironically enough, sought to profit financially from the power of the Holy Spirit). Paul, though he isn't perfect, rebuked Bar-Jesus. Paul even rebuked Peter for being partial to those who followed the law.

The book of Malachi is a specific warning for the priest of the day (see Mal. 1:6, 2:1, 3:3) and especially those church leaders who are "partial in their interpretation of the law" (Mal. 2:9).

Does Benny mention in his book that the Israelites were commanded to eat of their own tithes or sell the tithe for strong drink (see Deut. 14:23, 26)? Does Benny mention that during certain years the tithe was commanded to be used by not only the priest but to be eaten by others, including the poor (Deut. 14:29)? Does Benny mention that the families who brought the firstborn were commanded to eat these animals (Deut. 15:19-20)?

Is Benny making the SAME SACRIFICES IN HIS OWN PERSONAL FINCANCES that he requires others to give? Does Benny Hinn, and those like him, need Concord trips, numerous mansions, and other extravagant paraphenalia? All this while people, most of whom can barely afford to give or go under when they do, give the last of their finances to Benny for healings that, under scrutiny, really don't happen that often in his ministry? And please, don't even try to compare what Hinn does with what Jesus Christ did. And don't tell me that people that claimed to have been healed and were proven wrong "lost their healing." All that does is make it seem like Benny Hinn's antics and the compassion of Christ are synonymous, when clearly their not. Benny doesn't part the Red Sea, Benny doesn't raise people from the dead, and nowhere in the scriptures is it recorded that when Jesus sent those he healed to the priests, it turned out that the people sometimes "lost their healing" on the way.

A command from God to all those who follow Benny Hinn, and especially teachers in the body of Christ who allow him space because they too also preach as Hinn does concerning giving -- "If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite him into your house or encourage him in any way. Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work." (2 John 10-11, NLT)

I beg anyone to follow up what I write here. Check out the book "The Confusing World of Benny Hinn" and prove me wrong (ISBN # 1-885591-94-2). Better yet, check out a video from the Trinity Foundation entitled "The Many Faces of Benny Hinn". Benny Hinn clearly teaches heresies about Jesus Christ, and plays coy while there are many injuries that take place during mass "slayings" at his healing survices -- one lady even died due to an injury from Hinn's antics at one of Hinn's crucades!!!!!!

Please don't just assume that because you haven't witnessed firsthand the pain that Hinn has caused his followers, it's O.K. for you to bury your head in the sand and participate in Benny Hinn's ministries. If Hinn preaches a different Gospel, if Hinn preys on the flock, if Hinn does any of these things, and you support him... YOU ARE DOING THESE THINGS.

By the way, I spent 3 bucks at a local Christian outlet to purchase this book. I repent if any of that money helped Hinn in any way.

I am a Christian, saved by the blood of Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and secure in His hope. And I am saying that Benny Hinn has deluded himself and others into believing anything and everything... even if it contradicts the Bible and leads to the physical, spiritual, and financial harm of the people who depend on his ministry for healing.

I am not judging Benny Hinn's heart; I can only judge his behaviors, his doctrine, and the lack of concern he has shown towards those scarred by his ministry. It's not just me, or Hank Hanegraaff, or any other critic that's been given this authority. We are ALL to teach, warn, and correct each other until the day of the Lord's return.

"But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way" (2 Pet. 2:1-3, NLT)

This is an outstanding book. Benny Hinn's ministry has done nothing but help the Body of Christ. If you choose to hate him, then keep your ungodly thoughts to yourself. Benny Hinn is not perfect and neither are you. Jesus was persecuted for healing the sick in His day and Benny Hinn is condemned today by modern day Pharisees for doing the same. Should we expect anything different? Jesus said that we would experience persecution.

Thank you Brother Benny for taking the Good News to a sinful, angry, sick, poor, and defeated world.

I have read books on prosperity and even listened to sermons but none of them have touched this subject so wonderfully as Benny Hinn does in this book. It's not a book on how to get rich quick but it emphasizes so much on the love of the our heavenly Father towards us, and that blessings flow out of that love relationship with Him. You can know all biblical principles about prosperity and even be a bible student/scholar, but if you don't have a personal revelation of God's love for you and you don't have God's love in you, principles won't work. The bible says, God has prepared all good things to those who love Him. Buy the book and you won't regret it.

anything BUT biblical....typical Benny Hinn make believe....
Benny Hinn followers will love it.....
This bible student hated it
a great example of taking the bible out of context and making old testament blessings to the Jews now new blessings to the christian....simply amazing spin of sripture and the kind of stuff Hinn followers love to take in without any discernment or doctrinal knowledge.