The Facts
Republican Senator Charles Grassley was in the news today. Evidently he has been leading an investigation for the past two years into the financial status of at least six mega churches. He is demanding that these churches submit their financial records for complete audit. Grassley says the reason for singling out these six churches is the obvious lavish life styles of the church leaders. He quoted such items as a twenty-seven thousand dollar commode in one of the multi-million mansions. Those being investigated are Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, and Paula White. None of the six organizations that got Grassley’s letters belong to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Ready a complete report here.
My View
What absolutely amazes’ me is the millions of Americans that are so surprised at this. These thieves, along with many others, have been so obvious with their lavish life styles with the money they have been stealing from innocent donors. They may have refused to issue detailed financial statements, but they haven’t been able to hide their life styles. And they haven’t been trying to hide it. They justify it by saying God is blessing them. You damn right they are being blessed, but it isn’t God that is blessing them. It’s the donors, many of which could not even afford the shoes these characters have in their closet. And these TV gods are not worried about complying with any investigative demands. They have plenty of extra millions to spend on lawyers to defend them. By the way, Paula White and her husband are in the process of getting a divorce. Wonder what the divorce settlement will be?
I admit that I have had some hard feelings for these yahoos for a long time. And this is exactly the reason for my feelings. I started asking questions about them twenty-five years ago. If you care to read some of my other views on religion, look at some of my other post on this site then go here.
Joel
// Nov 9, 2007 at 10:12 PM
I detest the hallelujah hucksters that are the subject of this investigation, but we should consider the ramifications if this backfires. Grassly better get it right or else these guys will never be held accountable for their lies (in this life, anyway).
Old-Man
// Nov 10, 2007 at 5:29 AM
Amen! You are right. It seems when this comes up the investigator either starts drops it after he has gotten the publicity or he becomes so arrogant in it that the public becomes disinterested. If Grassley takes it slow, gets all his fact right, and doesn’t come across as a religion hater, he should succeed.
Nelly
// Nov 15, 2007 at 10:05 PM
WOW, WOW, WOW! I’ve got alot to say so where do I begin. Well, first let me say that the investigation in itself isn’t wrong, but the motive is. I have no problem with the government making sure that churches, a.k.a tax exempt organizations aren’t abusing the law. That’s the government’s job. They need to make sure that the laws of the land aren’t being abused, BUT……………. here is the problem. What is the motive of this Senator to investigate these 6 churches. If you ask me, it seems as if he is singling out 6 mega churches out of the thousands that exist in this country. If you’re going to investigate funds and how they are allocated, than investigate all churches. Don’t single out 6 because they are the most popular. While everyone’s giving mega-churhces the crooked eye, store-front-corner-we-only-got-10-members churches are doing some shady stuff too. They’re just so small that they don’t draw that much attention.
P.S Just because I’m a Christian doesn’t mean that I should be broke, depressed and tore up. That’s the world’s definition of a Christian. They want God’s people to live this way, so Satan can rip and run the earth.Driving a nice car, and wearing fancy close doesn’t make Pastors criminals. If that’s the case, then we need to investigate Senators too.
Old-Man
// Nov 16, 2007 at 6:06 AM
I am in hopes that no one misses the point here. It’s not about investigating all churches. It’s not about insisting that all Christians should be financially poor. To automatically put all pastors & people in this category is wrong and not my argument. The only point here is pastors who, as a result of being the head of a mega-church, are living the lives of a king on the money donated for the purpose of teaching God’s word. And when they are living such a life, they are going to get attention and some very valid questions asked as it should be. Here’s the question that should be asked. If they have nothing to hide, why are they refusing to disclose their detailed records like other churches have and as corporations do for their stock holders?
PS: I totally agree that many of the Senators need to be investigated also.
Joel
// Nov 16, 2007 at 8:10 PM
Nelly, the life of faith is not about whether one “should be broke, depressed and tore up” or not. It is about contentment regardless of riches or poverty. Contentment can not be bought. As the Apostle Paul said, “I have learned that whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” The prosperity gospel crowd preaches a false gospel wherein money satisfies, not Christ. The Bible says “they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition”, and again “he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent”.
As John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. The ultimate goal of every true believer is to find our peace in Him, and not in things. We must name fasle prophets and denounce their lies. Everyone of these people mentioned in the article are liars that preach a false gospel.
The legalities are important enough, but I am more concerned about the damage the lying prophets are doing to the name of Christ and the souls of their followers.
Old-Man
// Nov 16, 2007 at 8:23 PM
Joel, I do not believe anyone could have worded it better. Thanks.
A Brief Commentary on the False gospel of Prosperity « Sovereign God Ministries // Nov 27, 2007 at 6:48 PM
[...] Edited in on 27 NOV 07: The dialog can be found here: http://acnn.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/mega-church%e2%80%99s-wealth/ [...]