Comments on: Televangelists Living Like Kings?

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

[claytonantho]

KBruner74,
The world needs your message now. Especially some of these people who are OFFENDED because of a minister having a few dollars in his pockets. But I will admit that the 24,000 toilet is a little too much. Go and meet the destiny God has for you.

[startide-2009]

claytonantho:
I have had a similar experience with my tithing. All of my needs have not only been met, but they have been exceeded since I began tithing. I would even go so far as to say that to tithe, putting God first in my financial considerations, is core to my beliefs. HOWEVER... I do *not* tithe *expecting* to recieve financial blessings in return. I agree with you that God gave us life to enjoy, not to be miserable. But to expect that God''s going to make some kind of "deal" where I give "X" amount, and God gives me "X + 200%" is wrongheaded. I don''t "give to get", and THAT is what Creflo Dollar teaches. And I don''t care HOW much his church gives (and I don''t know if it''s personally HIM the article is talking about) but if he uses it to buy a MARBLE TOILET!? Come ON! That''s WAY out of the "just rewards" category, don''t you think?

[kbruner74]

I do not believe that a church should be questioned or singled out just because the pastor is prospering. We each are on our own in Gods eyes. So, whether you are a pastor or someone who attends the chruch, we believe and receive based on our own faith, not others. If there are things these ministries should not have done, its not for me to say and I hope they repent and move on. The pastors are prospering becasue they have attached their faith to what God has said. Why should a pastor have to live where some of his congregation do if they are ignorant to the Word of God? When I eventually pastor, I will believe God for overflowing finances....first to touch a generation with the love of God through the church...and second to see my life abundantly blessed.

[kbruner74]

I am not here to argue any points, however, lets make sure we know the truth. The first truth is about biblical prosperity. I know that it comes across wrong to many people, however I challenge you to dig deeper into what it says about it in the scripture and try and stay in the NT. Dont go by what others say, you dig in there and see what it says and study it out. My point here is that we want the best for our kids, correct? Why do so many not see God the same way wanting the best for His kids? Secondly, be sure you are getting facts about finances spent in a ministry and not getting "here-say." I hope that these ministries can back everything up...I really do. Check out Creflo Dollars reply from the Early Show....I thought it was good. Most important, whenever we see a ministry down or being attacked, lets pray for them....remember, God is their final judge....not you and I.

[claytonantho]

I am a tither, and I support God''''s ministries with my wealth... but I''''m no fool. I know where my tithe is being spent... and my Pastor doesn''''t flush it down a $24,000 toilet!

Hey startide,
I am a tither too, and I know that sense I became one that I have been tremendously blessed in every area of my life:finances, health, marriage, children, job,etc. When Jesus says that I have come to give you life, and life more abundantly, I had no idea that He meant in every area of my life. But it started with me being born again, developing a humble heart, putting God first in my life, praying for others and not just myself. As a result of this, God has taken care of all my needs as He stated he would in the Bible. Christians are missing out that think that God wants to bless them only after they get to heaven. With all humility I''m enjoying that blessing NOW (even during the so-called bad times). If God meant for me to walk this Earth poor and miserable, He sure has not informed me yet.

[tvesselles]

It''s no one business what or how much the television evangalist are making! If the people of their congregation aren''t complaining about their fortune and fame, why are you? Just leave them alone. They are doing what they suppose to do, and that''s sending out God''s message to everyone.

[startide-2009]

KBruner74... While your sentiments are admirable, they seem a bit naive to me. A $24,000 toilet!? How many people could that help? How many soup bowls at a soup kitchen could that fill? The "gospel of prosperity" is a distortion of Biblical truth. God does NOT promise "prosperity in worldly wealth" for being a faithful follower. He promises rewards, yes, but if you take the Scriptures as a whole, I think that Creflo Dollar''s message (give me money, and I promise God will give YOU money) is simply a manifestation of greed. Charlatans are known by their deeds, the Bible says. Look closer, and I think you can say that a $24,000 toilet says more about what he thinks about God and his followers than anything that comes out of his mouth.
I am a tither, and I support God''s ministries with my wealth... but I''m no fool. I know where my tithe is being spent... and my Pastor doesn''t flush it down a $24,000 toilet!

[claytonantho]

I would like for anyone to try and pay for a church light bill, gas bill, transportation for the elderly, church pamphlets, feeding the hungry, missionary trips, the high cost to be on television, and a thousand other helpful church functions it takes money to do, WITHOUT PAYING TITHES OR OFFERINGS. I dare you to try it. Corrupt ministers are many. But to think that you can run any church (small or large) without some financial means is warped thinking. Ask the government or the politicians can they do their job without your tax dollars. Get rid of the corrupt ministers before God does, but also don''t forget about the corrupt politicians while you do it.

[kbruner74]

It''s hard to see people hurting and people that do not understand the Bible. So many have a mentality that preachers should be poor, but that is not even biblical. I agree that there should be checks and balances, but why do so many talk bad about the church. As a Christian and a man studying to be a pastor, I hope that even though many people have been hurt by a church, that they do not see all churches that way. God wants his people blessed - all of them! My prayer is that I can tell as many people about Jesus and the love that He has for them before I leave this planet. Many will reject me and that is their choice. My prayer is also that people come to realize how much God wants them to have a great life.....but so many do not. Instead of bashing, we should be praying. Instead of putting people down, we should be building people up! Why do we live in a world where only business men and those alike can have nice cars and a lot of money? Are there crooked ministries out there....of course there are, but there are crooked businesses everywhere too. Where there are people involved, there will always be conflicting views. God Bless.

[simonsez40]

My father is a minister - and I''m with my dad in that a minister should never make more than what their congregation averages per year..........how can a minister relate if they are wealthy and their congregation is middle-class to poor?

Jesus Christ didn''t build a multi-billion dollar tabernacle and beg for money at the temples. He wasn''t materialistic........

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

[simonsez40]

Televangelist = politicians = religious right they are all crooks if you ask me..........

[claytonantho]

claytonantho wrote: Are you going to require that all these men and women of God be poor and miserable because of some perverted and unBiblical idea among Christian haters that they are supposed to be poor? ===========

Certainly not! Wasn''''t it only last year that Jesus appeared to Benny Hinn and insisted that Benny buy another Rolls-Royce? Can''''t go around questioning the wil of the Lord, can we?

Hey ajayvee,
Benny Hinn is just One man. Again, one man. Are you going to believe that his will is somehow God''s will just because he says it. What he does or hears from God has no bearing on the whole body of the Christian faith. If he is scandelous he will be dealt with in The End. In the meantime you just mind your own business and make sure your life is together with God so that you won''t be dealt with in The End.

[ajayvee]

claytonantho wrote: Are you going to require that all these men and women of God be poor and miserable because of some perverted and unBiblical idea among Christian haters that they are supposed to be poor? ===========

Certainly not! Wasn''t it only last year that Jesus appeared to Benny Hinn and insisted that Benny buy another Rolls-Royce? Can''t go around questioning the wil of the Lord, can we?

[pilgrimsway-2009]

I''''m a Christian. But its good to see these Pastors held up to a high standard of moral and ethical values by checking them out financially. Check out how they are spending the tithe. Check out what ministries they are contributing too. I knew of a homeless paranoid schizophrenia person brought to the attention of one of these mega churches and they were more interested with the building fund then the soul of this person. This is one of many stories. So everyone who may take a poke at this issue is in the right because of the hypocrisy seen by these pastors. Jesus was never concerned about buildings but the soul of individuals.

[fstop100]

True Con Artists, saving our souls and living large.

[tracysrock]

so bill gates couldnt accept christ without giving his money away? that would be salvation by works and not by grace. all one must do is confess jesus with their mouth and believe with their heart He was raised from the dead. salvation does not come and go.

[luvny-2009]

Televangelists are all con men, in it for the money PERIOD. Look at Billy Grahams kids, his son want''s to make their home/library a circus. Samaritans purse my butt, 5 for them 1 for the poor. Wake up people!

[fitedafuture]

in the bible God is for provisions not wealth, sure humble living is the best wealth,and besides the key is not to earthly wealth but rather heavenly..

[claytonantho]

Ole Anthony can do whatever he wants. The fact is he is just a bored politician who feels inadequate. His target to change all of that? Big churches! With the exception of those churches who do rob the people, there are those that give out more than they receive. Hard to believe, but this is indeed true in todays awesomely greedy America. What next bored politicians??? Are you going to require that all these men and women of God be poor and miserable because of some perverted and unBiblical idea among Christian haters that they are supposed to be poor? Even if they are doing everything honorable and are blessed by God because of those good things they do? You have tried for centuries to rid the world of the Bible and you have FAILED and will continue that worthless effort. Sorry, but the truth is, that men like Mr. Anthony may claim that they are targeting only scandelous ministers. But the ultimate goal is to suppress all forms of religious (I would rather say spiritual) expression whether it be private or public. Expose the greedy thieves in the church. Please do. But that real hidden agenda of yours will fail. Like it always has.

[mrterry3]

Didn''t you forget? Americans are guilty until proven innocent.