False DoctrineWrap – Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid

Sis. Rose KenebrewSis. Karen Smith7 August 2014

Ponzi Schemes

How It WorksFramework of a Ponzi scheme can be applied and

reapplied in countless contexts. Scheme revolves around the process of paying old

investors with the money you get from new investors.

Central method remains the same. All one has to do is hook a few investors who are

willing to get in early on a once-in-a-lifetime business venture.

The details of the investment don't matter too much 

The Trap – Wash, Rinse, Repeat

• After the schemer has convinced a handful of investors to fork over money, those funds can bankroll a nice car -- or, if the schemer is truly sneaky, he or she can use it to rent office space and buy some fancy furniture.

• These props will help con the next round of investors. Now, he or she is ready to find more investors. This time, the schemer takes a slice off the top for himself or herself and uses the rest to pay off the first rung of investors with some initial returns. 

• Eventually, the second rung of investors will need its payout. This is a simple matter of wash, rinse and repeat: The money from a newly recruited third rung of investors can pay off the second rung and deliver more returns to the first rung

Bottom Falls OutBut as the cycle goes on, it gets more

complicated. Earlier rungs of investors will get suspicious

if they don't continue to see returns. New investors will have to be paid back their

initial investment, and the schemer will have to appease them with regular returns.

This means that new investors will have to be added to the Ponzi scheme continuously in order to pay all the previous rungs.

Bottom Falls OutThe schemer is under an enormous amount of

pressure to keep adding investors, and one person can only do so much. (This is why the most successful schemes typically involve accomplices, but this merely delays the inevitable.)

The scheme will eventually become unsustainable. The upside-down house of cards the schemer has built will finally collapse.

Scenario - PaulPaul and his wife have good jobs. However, Paul has a lot of debt, including back taxes. He has student loans, car and house debt.

In desperation, he decides to utilize the an economic and investment plan recommended from his pastor.

Several members of his church are using the same economic plan.

The Plan1) 1st Plan enables Paul to avoid paying all taxes and

repayment of bills. 1) He attended a few seminars 2) Paid some fees for CDs, paperwork and legal

advisors.

2) 2nd Plan involves Paul initial investment of $500 given to his pastor. Paul receives $150 for every person he gets to invest $500 to the pastor’s economic plan. He will receive $150 for each $500 donated for the rest of his life as long he keeps getting other investors.

Scenario - PaulPaul donates money to the church and helps

a lot of people with the money he saves. He has never been contacted by the FBI

regarding use of this financial plan.

Analysis According to the WordDeuteronomy 15 - Jubilee1At the end of every seven years thou shalt

make a release.2 And this is the manner of the release: Every

creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.

Mercy and ForgivenessAnd forgive us our debts, as we also have

forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)

Analysis According to the WordEcclesiastes 8:11-1311 Because sentence against an evil work is

not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God

Analysis According to the WordRe: Repayment of bills and debts

“Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5)

Re: Paying Taxes20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and

superscription?21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto

them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

(Matthew 22:20-22)

Analysis According to the WordThere are legal methods of debt relief, which should not be abused: Forgiveness by individuals or organization Bankruptcy

Wrap-Up Tips and Warnings

Purpose of Lesson Warn Saints of false prophets and

teachingsPrevent Saints from drinking the Kool-AidExpose false prophets and teachingsFalse prophets are preying on Saints and

young peopleAwareness of new and old false teachingsEnhance ability to identify false prophets

and teachings

Sound the

Alarm!

Don’t Drink the Kool-AidRemember Jim Jones

Jim Jones, the leader of the group, convinced his followers to move to Jonestown. Late in the year he then ordered his flock to commit suicide by drinking grape-flavored Kool-Aid laced with potassium cyanide. In what is now commonly called "the Jonestown Massacre", 913 of the 1100 Jonestown residents drank the Kool-Aid and died.

Why People Drink the Kool-Aid "For the time will come when they will not

endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Tim 4:3-4).

Beware!Be suspicious of anyone claiming extra-

biblical revelation from God.

Traits of False Prophet 2 Peter 2:1-21

Exalt themselves and pretend lifting up JesusCovetous and Money hungry Walk after the fleshTeach and preach against living free from sin

Hate God’s Word = Truth

The primary characteristic of false teachers is that they hate God’s truth and therefore they use their teaching to undermine it.

Like Ezekiel, we should be quick to call out such teachers.

The protection and health of Christ’s church demands it.

False ProphetsChrist tells believers in Matthew 7:15 to

beware of false prophets and warns they will come to us disguised as believers.

They will outwardly appear to be His followers but inwardly they are “ravenous wolves” seeking to destroy the flock.

Traits of False ProphetsFollow their own spirit rather than God.

Today we might say they take Madame So and So’s advice and follow their heart rather than the scriptures.

Claim God has spoken to them or through them when He has not.

In Ezekiel’s day this meant claiming to hear from God outside His chosen channel of revelation – His prophets.

Traits of False DoctrineDoes not line up with the Word of GodNot in the Word of GodCauses division among the SaintsConflicts with personality of God and ChristConflicts with other scriptures

Traits of False DoctrineExalts the self rather than ChristDoctrine attached to money Doctrine equates another person on same

level as ChristRevelation or Vision does not coincide with

the Written Word of God.

Traits of False Doctrine Advocate  a different set of beliefs other than what the Word of God

teaches  Unsound words : Interpretation of the Word  is changed to unscriptural

ideas 

Teachings that promote a lifestyle of ungodliness

Teaches dependence on intellect, human abilities and accomplishments

Seeks to create division through disputes about the Word and create followers of self rather than Jesus Christ.

Teaching that displays a form of godliness but is motivated by

Other GospelsProsperity - Gospel of Earthly Wealth and

HealthMotivational – Feel Good GospelHumanism - Emphasizes the value and

actions of human beings, individually and collectively, and critical thinking and evidence over established doctrine or faith.

Materials AvailableFalse Doctrine and Teachings Study GuideTips and Warnings of Fraudulent Plans

To request materials contact: Sis. Karen Smith at 4jcconsulting@gmail.com .