Here are some basic observations on modern-day prophesyings, that we see on television, and in our churches.
Prophecy, like salvation, is a FREE GIFT [to be received, not purchased] that cannot be measured in terms of dollars-and-cents values. (Acts 8:17-24; Romans 12:6; I Timothy 4:14) Second, prophecy is in operation in response to a particular need or situation, not in response to money. Prophecy is spiritual; money is carnal or natural or physical. Since God owns everything, he isn't moved to speak through anyone based on a monetary gift, or based on the promise of such a gift. He responds to condition and heart cry. (Exodus 3:1-14; II Chronicles 16:9; Jeremiah 9:23,24; I Corinthians 9:7-18) Third, the nature of prophecy is the nature of Jesus, for "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy", according to Revelation 19:10, and Jesus is referred to as the [Living] Word.(John 1:1-14; I John 5:7)
Some point to I Samuel 9:8 about the proposed offering, to the prophet, of reward. If you read the remainder of the passage and chapter, you find that the gift was not even presented to Samuel. Samuel ministered to Saul, and there was no mention of a gift being given as payment for the prophetic ministration. (Besides, if you look at the previous chapter (8), verse 3 denotes that Samuel's sons turned from his ways and took bribes as Israel's judges. If they turned from his ways, and that included taking bribes, he was not a man to be bribed. In fact, Samuel himself declared, before all the people, that, among other things, he had never taken such a bribe, in I Samuel 12:1-5 .)
Further, consider Balaam, who was approached by Balak, and how money influenced Balaam to act in accordance with the will of man. People often use tools like money to try to influence a prophet of the Lord to do differently from what God has spoken to him or her to do, and the true prophet of the Lord will say, like Micaiah said, "As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak." That control boils down to nothing more than witchcraft: using power or influence over another, not to benefit their lives, but to bend them, through manipulation, to do what you want them to do. His perversion was so noteworthy, that he was given a place among particular sins, and he had one named after him [Jude, verse 11]
Examining Daniel's situation, in Daniel 5, verses 5 through 29, I read that Daniel, in verse 17, explicitly flat refused any gifts that would influence him to prophesy, and simply proceeded with the interpretation of the handwriting upon the wall. Only upon the king's insistence, and only AFTER the prophetic ministry was delivered, did Daniel accept the gifts. (verse 29) (see also Micah 3:11 and I Samuel 8:3)
Prophecy is not OURS. It is God's. We throw it around like a toy that shines, shimmers, and sparkles, lusting for the glitter and the glamor, failing to see the preciousness of its substance and value. We are carrying the anointing carelessly. Prophecy is VERY serious. You can't run around calling yourself a prophet, and say you are prophesying, if you are not doing the true work. We need to take a hard look at Old & New Testament prophets and prophecy, before uttering one more "Thus saith the Lord". (Ezekiel 22:28)
We need to stop building reputations and names, and seek to lift one name alone (Philippians 2:5-11). Besides, when they have long forgotten us, it is He who they will remember always. We need to stop using the Spirit of prophecy for ourselves, and enter into a loving relationship with him (John 14:17; II Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1). Our God is not a genie to be conjured up by the presentation of money, like a pagan sacrifice to a voiceless, faceless, impersonal idol-god. He is willing and able to make His voice heard to any hearing ears, regardless of financial status. It is the heart and situation (not the money) of the individual, that primes the pump of prophecy.
In parting, consider the story of Gehazi, Elisha's servant, who went after Syrian captain Naaman to receive gifts at that man's hand, as reward for prophesying. Bear in mind that, according to II Kings 5:16, the prophet Elisha had already refused the gifts [even at the urging of Naaman to take them]. Elsiha knew the gifts would pervert judgment. After this, Naaman, healed of leprosy, had left, and ...
II Kings 5:21-27 - "So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? IS IT A TIME TO RECEIVE MONEY, AND TO RECEIVE GARMENTS, AND OLIVEYARDS, AND VINEYARDS, AND SHEEP, AND OXEN, AND MENSERVANTS, AND MAIDSERVANTS?
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow."
Moral to the story? The story is the moral.
