Breaking The Jewish Code Perry Stone

earnings from ministering would be a handful of old onions and warm cow’s milk. When my granddad Bava conducted a revival in the 1930s, the offering was only a nickel. During the 1930s, the common people had little expendable income, but some also felt no need to assist a minister who was already working a job! For many centuries there was a “poverty mind-set” among many Full Gospel believers, based upon their preconceived idea that any accumulation of money was forbidden or spiritually destructive. The early pioneers of the Full Gospel faith were very godly in morals and character and very simple in their lifestyles. Their income came from farming, factory work, mining, and odd jobs. In the early days, the messages centered on holiness and sanctification; therefore, anyone acquiring wealth was looked upon with suspicion for loving the things of the world. (See 1 John 2:15.) However, as time progressed and churches moved from canvas tents and small storefronts into larger sanctuaries, members and ministers recognized that finances were needed to accommodate church growth and reach the masses. Ministry expansion included printing Bibles and gospel literature and building Bible schools, Christian schools, foreign churches, and orphanages, coupled with sending missionaries to evangelize and disciple the masses. Eventually radio, shortwave, and television led to gospel satellites, Christian programs, and live Internet Web casting. Each new avenue of ministry was built on a road paved with the finances of previous generations. As ministries grew, the need for finances increased. The biblical commandment of tithes and offerings was often