Comments on: Televangelists Living Like Kings?

Senator Investigates Whether Prominent Ministers’ Churches Are Really Non-Profits

[denn034]

From the story: "Ole Anthony, director of the Trinity Foundation, has been on a 20-year-crusade to expose TV ministers who abuse the failth of others. ''They live like multi-billionaires off the income from the poorest and most desperate people in our society,'' he said. Some of these televangelists preach the so-called ''gospel of prosperity.'' Now a powerful Republican senator has demanded they all provide financial records by early December - to determine if they are living that gospel as well." Jim Bakker, a former prosperity gospel advocate, now rejects the prosperity gospel. Get Baker''s view, CBS!

[marcodele]

It should not surprise anyone that the corporate evangelists have thrived in the past seven years.
The Bush regime pandered to them relentlessly in order to get appointed. Once again the abortion non-issue was central to their support, although nobody they ever support ever does anything about it. So yes, it has been a great seven years for televangelists and Halliburton.

[teachthemgra]

Before one considers the validity of the claims being made by Ole Anthony, it would be a good idea to see whether his motives are to give credit to God or himself! Check this link out:/dallasobserver.com/2006-08-03/news/the-cult-of-ole.
In the meantime, any Christian who knows and believes the Bible as God''s Word knows that while we always respect the OFFICE of those in authority over us, we also have a responsibility to hold that person accountable to what the Bible says are the boundaries of that office.
Just because a minister is prosperous doesn''t mean he isn''t also helping those in need. They may have received those things by investments or saving for them or as gifts, by the way. We want to crucify those ministers who have possesions yet don''t want to send a dime to charities to help the poor? Sounds like a possible double standard to me.

[christi31-2009]

A man or woman who are called to communicate the Word of God knows that abundance of money given to them is for the people who need help. No, preachers should not live as poor people, but as in nonprofits and to keep with the Christian faith, their wealth is supposed to be shared and given to help others gain stability. We have way too many children in our own country who do not have anything to eat and in bad home situations. There is too much work to do in this world. Just too much work that has to be done.

[krenz4]

OH, and before you go there, Dollars congregation is NOT made up of the poorest of the poor, or the most ignorant or the ignorant, he has a very, upper middle class,educated congregation. Not poor dummies by ANY definition. And when they give to their church they give BIG and who''s business is it? They know how they want their pastor to live, and they choose to have him live large.

[christi31-2009]

Here is the problem. Preachers should not have to live in poverty, that''s stupid, but "Men and Women of God" have a responsibility to the people that is far more involved and important than any other career choice. Being a preacher of the Word is not just a choice, it is supposed to be a "calling". That is why this is such a scandal. Some churches and ministers are very weak and distrustful...not nearly as much work is being done to help those in need, but we have ministers who are receiving a lot of money and a lot of wealthy living. If we were talking about some "feel good guru" who is an author selling books, but is not running a religious establishment, then there would be no problem with the money. When you start putting God into the equation, you have to watch your back in how you use the faith and money of your members, point blank. We often get scam artists who say that they are Christian mixed up with what Christianity actually is. Christianity is not a "religion", it is life. Religion is man''s idea of what God is supposed to be, instead of who God is actually. Living a life in Christ isn''t poverty but it isn''t being material wealthy at the poor''s expense. Wealth is a combination of things that means you are not lacking whether in love, financial stability, health, and grace.

[trumpetstuff]

I did not put that last comment in their with the whole church lady thing...looks like someone is messing around! Signing off and God Bless you all.

Posted by kbruner74 at 11:54 AM : Nov 07, 2007


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No, I`m not messing around; simply making a comment on one of your earlier comments. :-)

[bossladymom]

Ministers & church staff salaries are taxed. Secretaries & support staff have taxes withheld from their pay just like everyone else. Most ministers are considered "self employed" and pay taxes that way. Only the church organization is usually tax exempt.

[kbruner74]

RevRafael....


Ummmmmm.......ok???? Good luck with that. Really.

[realnews]

Most people don''t like TV ministries, and are ticked off at others who do. Those who preach prosperity are funded by those who believe prosperity. As a free country we have the right to believe what we like, and give to whatever wacked out ministry group we like.

The problem with this story, is that this senator is a baptist, a member of a group of people who hate the religous beliefs of those who believe in Charismatic/Pentecostal beliefs. He selected only Charismatic/Pentecostal leaders and is pushing his own religous views by trying to take out the leaders of a specific doctrine.
He is asking about the ministry purpose of 24,000 toilets... But ignoring 100 million dollar legal fees to cover Catholic priest who molest little children.