“For those who are such
do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ,
but their own belly,
and by smooth words and flattering speech
deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Romans 16:18

“By smooth words and flattering speech…”

Before you send that next donation to a flamboyant televangelist, do a little research. If they travel in a private jet, or own multi-million-dollar homes, you might want to look for someone else to support. Be very careful what you hear. If they’re telling you God wants you rich, wake up! They only want THEMSELVES to be rich …from YOUR naivete. Be alert! These are con men.

God’s purpose is that you pick up YOUR CROSS, not your Rolex, and follow him.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples,
‘If anyone desires to come after me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world,
and loses his own soul?’”
Matthew 16:24-26

That is not to say that all televangelists are charismatic money-grubbers. Many are, even most, but there are some very faithful teachers and preachers of the Gospel out there. Your job is to very, very carefully investigate their lifestyles and decide who is true versus who is a great orator who can hold you spellbound by his words.

Ask the Lord for guidance in this. Sometimes it takes revelation from God to discern it.