Seeding on Rocky Ground

I received a weird “seed offering” mailing the other day from the Tulsa-based St. Matthew’s Churches. I figured it stemmed from my name being sold on a ministry mailing list by one religious organization or another. But it turns out that several people who attend a Bible study with me from church received the same pitch for funds. A closer inspection shows that this is a mass mailing, addressed only to “Resident — to a Friend.” So apparently this four-page color proposal, complete with a postage-paid return envelope, is being sent to tens of thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of homes. I don’t see how the organization will recoup its costs. The correspondence includes a funky drawing that is supposed to be Jesus, but looks more like Osama bin Laden. Addressees are instructed to kneel on this “rug of faith,” check what needs they have in a list provided (for example, “my health,” “a new car” or “a money blessing”) and return the letter. In true chain-letter tradition, recipients are warned not to keep the paper “Bible prayer rug soaked with the power of prayer,” but to pass it along to a friend within 24 hours. Of course there are testimonials from unnamed people explaining how they have been monetarily blessed for following instructions. Mrs. L.C. of Texas says she got a new car and a job. E.C.S. of North Carolina claims to have received $10,000. Sis J.B. of New York says she was healed of severe leg pains. The letter contains several written instructions of what the reader must do to make the formula work. It’s all designed to open a line of communication that will ultimately start a flow of checks to the “ministry.” The letter from an unnamed “senior bishop” promises readers this could be the best year of their life and “God is ready to help you reach your dreams and goals.” Those who respond are promised an unspecified “wonderful, free, spiritual gift” in return. No doubt an illogical plea for funds in exchange for success will follow. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not for sale. Answers to prayer come from God, not a magical mumbo jumbo uttered by a telemarketer. The local church is the place for prayer needs to be met, not via some anonymous agent in the mailbox. Christianity is a religion of self-sacrifice, compassion and sometimes suffering —not gimmick. This is a marketing scheme designed to enrich hucksters at the expense of those who can’t afford it. Surely there aren’t that many gullible people willing to send big bucks in the hope of a financial windfall. I hope.