What do you think of all the super-rich pastors around the world and their lifestyles??

[Kenny'sID]

It's crystal clear to me what they are about, and it is clearly not God.

 

In a word...deplorable. 

[Arrabon]

43 minutes ago, Equippers said:

hello 

firstly, I think your should be careful of what you read online, not all sources are credible

I also think there are quite a few rich pastors, for me it really depends on what is their source of income.

For example, Joyce Meyers' income comes from her book sales, there is nothing wrong with that.

I would have problems if the pastor's income comes from congregation donations.

@Equippers my brother.

My original post was an honest question, and I am reading all the posts here for some good input.

I see this subject discussed quite a bit from time to time, in different settings, and feel I should have a conviction on it, if that's possible, or at least some knowledge.

Still growing. Still learning. Won't ever have all the answers, and I'll even be wrong at times.

I have been wrong in the past, and I will be in the future.

Such is imperfection.

Arrabon

[R. Hartono]

On 7/2/2021 at 12:40 AM, David1701 said:

I couldn't speak for all of them, but the "prosperity gospel" preachers are fleecing their flocks, to line their pockets (and their private jets).

Matt. 6:19-21 (Darby)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust spoils, and where thieves dig through and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust spoils, and where thieves do not dig through nor steal;
21 for where thy treasure is, there will be also thy heart.

They never even build a single sanctuary to treat n feed poor lazarus on the streets like that model of mother theresa church in calcutta

Did  Jesus told the story of poor lazarus for nothing ? What did they do with that donation from people

 

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2021 by R. Hartono

[OneLight]

I would spend time considering this years ago, but then I asked myself what do they do with their money?  Since I could not answer that question, I stopped considering it.  What I am sure of is that there is a mixed mash of possibilities, and not any one of us are alike.  Like everyone, they will stand accountable for what God gave them.

[AandW_Rootbeer]

There's a big difference between Christianity being a lifestyle VS being a business.   And there is a point where Blessings from God become underlined Greed.  Most Churches have Board Members who assign the Pastor a Salary, Home, Vehicle.   But when a Pastor decides to take out loans against the Churches Accounts like one would do with a business, use every tax break known, and then pockets the access like one would do to embezzle, the wolf inside begins to shine through the sheep's facade.

[JohnD]

On the one hand, it is all too easy to begrudge the men and women who step up and accept

the call to ministry the money it takes to accomplish that which most people try to avoid.

We are ALL priests of God in Christ (Revelation 1:6 / Revelation 5:10 / 1 Peter 2:3-9) yet almost

none of us know this, step up and accept out personal calling... instead we pass the spiritual buck

on to those who do step up.

If we are going to shirk our duties and overload the local pastor with them, we should at least be willing

to pay his or her expenses and bills. Then there's the cost of the congregation hall to assemble in rather

than using our homes as the early house churches did.

Guilt usually fueled the extravagance of the cathedrals and such down through the centuries.

And what was intended to be a body of believers performing individual ministries the world over in

support of the one-to-one relationship God wants to have with his people...

it's a one great big organizational industrial complex with thousands of divisions....

Jesus prayed 3 times in John 17 that we be one as the Father and he are one...

On the other hand, man's insatiable appetite for religions is a very lucrative business to be in.

So between false doctrines, greed, and the unwillingness of most believers to step up...

[Guest clancy]

18 hours ago, Arrabon said:

I was just reading one of those commentaries online about these people all over the world who have  a net worth of up to 760 million dollars.

My opinions are still out. Kind of a rock and hard-spot for me right now. Not sure what to think as I haven't looked into it much.

Maybe some of your opinions could help me.

God bless you all.

Arrabon

To be honest brother, I have never given it any thought, I’m “ RICH” in Gods Love!...that’s good enough for me.

I watch Joyce Meyers ministries a lot on YouTube...I think she’s up there on the rich list...?

Not sure she has her own private jet...she’s 78 and still ministering.

Edited July 2, 2021 by clancy

[Ray12614]

I was going to ignore this, since it is aimed at the ministry I will reply hopefully not too sarcastically.

Sure, there are ministers who are well off financially. Most are not and struggle to meet peoples needs in their churches, and personally sacrifice their own finances to be a blessing to their church. Frankly, what we think about pastors portfolios (most do not have one) has little to do with our responsibility as church members.  Always remember: Jesus does the hiring, and Jesus does the firing. and as far as their use of ministry funds: The parable of the Talents should give you an idea of how He will deal with unjust stewards. Frankly, they work for Jesus, and not for those who don't attend their churches, or, any church for that matter.

For every one minister that we observe as 'well off', there are a thousand who love Jesus, and His people, and serve them many times without pay either because of greedy members, OR the people of God have not been taught their responsibility to the ministry.

Until those who criticize the ministry have had sleep interrupted at 3AM to go to sit and pray and cry with a grieving family who lost their son/daughter to a drug overdose, or car accident, or have given up hours and days to comfort those who are grieving the loss of their husband/wife to death, or standing with men to overcome additions to drugs, porn, or other sexual perversions to give them help from scriptures, and accountability to preserve their families . . . until you spend time praying with members who lost jobs and are believing God to provide basic needs for their families, and frankly they rob their own pantries to give food to families without. Until, you support single mothers, and fathers who are trying to be both to their kids and so the ministers take on doing things with those children who are fatherless, or motherless . . . . Yes . . . after you do some of that . . . then and only then . . .  will I listen to dribble about the few ministers who may not meet your perfect idea of what a minister should and should not do . . . 

Probably . . . I will get Monitored for this and exiled to some obscure chat room some where, BUT I sense the displeasure of the Holy Spirit about this whole subject.

What is the final word about this?  Frankly . . . Jesus will sort it all out at His Bema Seat, and some of us may stand embarrassed about what our opinions are about certain ministries and the ministry in general. As for me . . . I will continue to support the ministry, and help them anyway I can . . . Jesus expects nothing less from me . . . 

 Ray . . . 

[Desopixi Seilynam]

There were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you,
who secretly shall bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, 
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their destructive ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed.

And through greed shall they with deceptive words make merchandise of you.

2 Peter 2:1-3

 

[Dennis1209]

11 hours ago, Equippers said:

hello 

firstly, I think your should be careful of what you read online, not all sources are credible

I also think there are quite a few rich pastors, for me it really depends on what is their source of income.

For example, Joyce Meyers' income comes from her book sales, there is nothing wrong with that.

I would have problems if the pastor's income comes from congregation donations.

I know a little about Joyce Meyer's and watched her a few times, and statements she has made. I'm not here to criticize, but to ask a question?

Is constantly preaching the "prosperity Gospel", instead of preaching the Salvation message, preaching "another Gospel?" 

Acts 20:29 (KJV) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.