Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

ministry and not be consumed with the cares of life (2 Tim. 2:4). The minister’s needs would be met as he (the minister) concentrated on meeting the needs of others.

P LANTING S EED W ITH N O R OOT

One situation seldom discussed is how people are giving of their finances without having any root in the Word of God . Some are being taught that giving money is the key to cure all ills in their lives and the only way they can experience financial prosperity. A minister will be judged by his life and his message. When any man or woman stands before lower middle class believers and begins to brag about expensive clothes and flash objects he or she owns worth thousands of dollars, and implies that if they give to him they too can receive such blessings, often simpleminded people are impressed and believe that if they can sacrifice enough, heaven will send gold rain and money will appear out of nowhere. Without a root in the Scriptures, people will accept words that have no biblical foundation. There have been some men who have even offered the audience their anointing if the price is right. First, if they are anointed, it is not their anointing, but the anointing comes from the Holy Spirit. Second, Acts 8:17–22 states clearly that the gift and gifts of the Holy Spirit cannot be purchased with money. When Simon the sorcerer offered