Within the article:
"The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates his wealth at $1.2 billion."
There is a lesson to be learned from this -- all that glitters is not the sun. We need to be responsible for how God is presented to this world, how Christianity plays out, and whether a ministry is just repeating Christian information in an exciting manner, or honesty demonstrating Christianity.
Once money is in a group's hands, they can wield power -- even just by funding the incentives and agendas they deem fit. It can look like "Giving back to the community," or "planting a new church," or "reaching out to new cities by setting up stations."
Many good things can come from it, and growth is not bad in itself. But Christianity was never scripturally presented as one leader asking for funds, then holding them for personal use.'
Great visionaries can make things possible, provide opportunities, generate enthusiasm, provide the spark of hope and support people need... coordinate prayer and networks. But they should also be willing to let go and let fledgelings fly the coop, start out new ministries completely independently.
We need to look at our own lives -- are we building empires for our own glory, or for God's?
The ridiculous part of it all -- we are the ones who wrap around street corners for book signings, or fly to his conferences.
We have complete access to all the scriptures and study materials that he does, all the same empowerment from God for miraculous healings and prophetic words. The Word of God has not changed, so there are no new facts.
It seems more a draw to be part of something big... not wanting to miss out on the empire.
