Sometimes, pastors of any sized church spout backyard witticisms that force Christians to scratch the wig right off their heads, like Keion Henderson. The founder and lead pastor of the 15,000-member Lighthouse Church in Houston took the stage and said something that caused a double-take with a fresh helping of side-eye.
“The poor will be with you always, and there’s no blessing in blessing the poor other than getting back what you gave to them, but no multiplication,” he tells the church. “Multiplication is segregated for tithes and offering. When you give to the poor, the only thing you do is help them, but you don’t help yourself.”
Now that his congregation is second-guessing giving to the homeless and donating to shelters, it continues with a statement that sounds more like a page from a divine Ponzi scheme.
“Charity does not bring wealth. Only the tithe does that,” he added.
Um, is that why we give our tithes and offerings, Pastor? In other words, Christians “get to give” and “give to get.” What a deal! Is that moral, ethical, or even Biblical?! Well, as the most substantial majority in Christendom understands, it’s not–any of them. Should giving to the poor be done if only to get something in return?
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Keion Henderson Leading Sheep Astray
Any routine church member or Bible reader can tell you where Pastor Keion Henderson received his inspiration.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
The Lord multiples your tithe, born of obedience because you give back what God supplied. Regardless of what we give, God is gracious to give back more than anything we can conceive (Luke 6:38). While that is a kind reminder of God’s love for His people, what is the spiritual principle we’re supposed to glean from that Cracker Jack box theology? Tithe, because God gives you more? Forget the poor, because what’s in it for me? If by some strange chance, people were searching for God’s lottery machine when they give to the poor and yank on that arm praying for triple-sevens, Jesus had something for them:
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
In Keion Henderson’s message, “It’s All About the Benjamins,” his premise was giving to God first. For that obedience, the Lord will bless you exponentially. To be fair, Henderson did not say that people will not be blessed for giving to the poor, but since “the poor will be with you always,” there isn’t as much shine on that sacrifice. You’re not alone if you think that errant thinking is being taken out of context. Enter into the fray, Mr. Brian Smith, obligatory spokesperson for the Lighthouse Church & Ministries.
“Unfortunately, the few seconds shown are completely without the context of the entire message, which is that one should not wholly substitute tithing with giving to individuals. It is absolutely not true that the sermon was meant to discourage individual, reasonable service,” he said.
If only he kept it there…
Giving is Not Scoreboarding
The official message from Pastor Keion Henderson has drawn the ire from outside and inside his Houston church. The intent from the pulpit may have been one of exhortation and evangelism, but his message ended up sounding like selfishness and sectarianism. Don’t give to the poor because you won’t get a BOGO deal of blessings?! Although Smith is responding to a scripture twisted into an Auntie Anne’s pretzel from the mall, he feels the urge to let us know that even Lighthouse Church gives for no apparent reason or expectation.
“The Church’s benevolence program has provided more than $451,000 this year in charitable giving, including to neighbors in need, local students, and scholarships to graduating high school seniors. In August, our Lightfest back-to-school event gave free school supplies to 700 local kids. We have 30 different ministries that bring hope, strength, and love to anyone seeking God’s Grace and Salvation.”
Does that matter right now? Doesn’t that fan the flames instead of extinguishing the fire? The Bible tells us in Acts 20:35 that “it’s more blessed to give than receive.” The church receives the tithe, not the pastor. The giver plants the seed, not reaps it. The problem with his message is that it goes against a part of the “Sermon on the Mount.”
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
In Biblical days, people would give for the esteem it created rather than the help it provided. Jesus suggests His followers should give to the poor in secret because those who give to the poor hoping to get something in return already got what they wanted. The real blessing is through sacrifice, anonymous or unparaded sacrifice. As Christ-followers, we get to give and it shouldn’t matter what we get in return outside of the gratitude of a loving Savior. Even Twitter knows that.
Prosperity preacher Keion Henderson criticizes congregants for giving to the poor, which results in no blessing, rather than tithing to him, wich will result in money multiplication. pic.twitter.com/rNRnfxXV1V
— Protestia (@Protestia) October 10, 2024
Pastor Keion Henderson told millions of people that there is no blessing in giving to the poor.
This is one of the most dangerous teachings I have heard in a long time. � pic.twitter.com/zm97KNni2B— The Guyy (@Hardlyneverseen) October 11, 2024
Its All About the Benjamins for Keion Henderson Heretic and False Teacher Keion Henderson says giving to the poor won’t get you wealth, but tithing will. #KeionHenderson Speaking against giving to the poor is so satanic. Starting at 47:44https://t.co/qhaIf0g45x pic.twitter.com/4hOtIsD8gI
— �ReeRee� (@TheFabulousRee) October 8, 2024
I will praise God in Church’s Chicken lobby before I ever step foot inside Pastor Keion Henderson’s church. This y’all man of God? � pic.twitter.com/83emXXZqWD
— Jerome Trammel, M.B.A (@MrJeromeTrammel) October 8, 2024
And then, there’s this about Keion Henderson that comes from the Dallas Cowboys beat writer, Clarence Hill, Jr. (Yes, those Dallas Cowboys.) You know, since it’s not he has fantastic football to discuss lately.
What Keion Henderson is preaching is not of God. This is blasphemy….
Preaching well and being true to God are not one and the same.
This man wants your money. He is not trying to save souls@Myron_Hardy https://t.co/BNzJUl3EW0— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 9, 2024
If you want to see the entire message, it’s below. Otherwise, check the Bible for a more accurate depiction of how God blesses His children when we bless His children.
https://youtu.be/d3BmiO134bc
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