I went through a TV evangelist phase about 25 years ago. Watched Benny Hinn, who was very powerful on TV, went to a large meeting of his in SoCal, left in total disgust. If anything, the crowd was hypnotized. Saw Copeland in person too—same experience. Flummuxers, both of them.
One morning about 4, I was up with a sick cat, turned on TV and saw Robert Tilton, before his fall from grace...The usual “send in $1000 and you’ll get it back tenfold.”
I was worried that I had a $25,000 tax bill to pay, so in a moment of weakness, I sent him $250. A couple of months later, I filed my taxes without sending money. Within a reasonable time, I had a call from the IRS saying they’d found discrepancies. I chatted them up and lo and behold, they called me back and said I didn’t owe them anything but they found an extra $2,500 I had paid and they were refunding it.
HMMMM...that $250 paid off exactly10x
The phenominon of belief?
I believe that charlatan is still on.
God’s grace and mercy and maybe subconsciously or by the spirit you might have suspected that the math was in your favor but fear had clouded your thinking so that you thought the worse!
it all depends on who you put your faith in. People, since time began, idolize who/what is in front of them, rather than keeping the first commandment of worshiping God alone.
God is Faithful and True to keep His promises. If you sent the money in true faith that God would use it for His kingdom, then HE and He alone is the master Accountant and will bless you as HE sees fit. Not always monetarily - could be job, health, relationships - He knows what you need AND desire (according to His will).
If we trust in Man, Man will fail most of the time.
Also, if you give in a manner to receive accolades of men, then Jesus clearly explained THAT is your reward - hollow and short-sighted and unfruitful.