*UPDATE*As user "The Anticult" warned, Mike Vinson and his IWWB group are now asking folks for money. I suppose it was a logical progression, being that more and more, this group is embracing an elitist and sheltered mentality.
You can read the new document that has been written on this topic at the link below. Suffice to say, Vinson and his "elders" are requesting those within the group to essentially "give it up" for the ministry. At the start of the document, the authors (Mitch Kuhn and David Turnbull) make this statement:
Under the Old Covenant, how did God command that all of the resources needed to fund His ministry be provided? Through tithing. God required that sacrifices be made and gifts given to provide everything needed, including provision for the priesthood that administered the Old Covenant
However, for the next 40+ pages, Kuhn and Turnbull (IWWB and Vinson appointed elders) then go on to explain why members should "make sacrifices and give gifts to provide everything needed" to/for their ministry. The entire document appears to be an exercise in Orwellian double-speak/double-think.
Some of the quotes from the document in question are highly alarming and further my claim that this group is exhibiting a gross cult mentality. These quotes would include:
Quote: Being able to participate in
GOD'S TRUE MINISTRY on this earth and reap the fruits thereof is a wonderful privilege, reserved for his saints and hidden from the rest of the world.
Comment: Who is "God's true ministry?" Why, IWWB and Mike Vinson, of course!
Quote: To truly bless these ministers, we should give them our love and affection, and send kind words and letters of encouragement
IN ADDITION to our physical support.
Comment: This demonstrates the cult-leaders need for constant preening and ego-stroking. It's not enough to send them money, they need your "love and affection" as well!
Quote: Paying God’s ministers the wages they are due is being rich towards God. They are God’s spiritual employees. How do we treat God’s servants?
Comment: If they are "God's ministers" and "God's spiritual employees" then why can't God sort them out?
Quote: We no longer need to hoard riches for the future because we now understand that there is no security other than our security in the Lord.
Comment: In other words, give your money to IWWB and Mike Vinson, forget your savings plan.
Quote: Think about this for a moment. Of all the people that have ever lived,
THE LORD HAS CHOSEN US. He is showing us the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
Comment: This is the most blatant cult-like comment in the whole article.
Quote: We must become content with less physical things in this world. Our true satisfaction comes from spiritual riches, so all we need in the physical is for our basic needs to be met.
Comment: In other words, give up your wages to Vinson and IWWB and if that means you do it tough, then so be it. Be content!
Please note - emphasis, where added above, is my own.
The document can be accessed
here:
[
aionios.com]
I would urge those with family members in this cult to speak with them about this. I would hate to see people giving away hard-earned money, particularly in this economy.