How church, ministry leaders afford beach houses, waterfront vacation homes

They con their congregations....

Yep, when is enough?

Lost4words said:

They con their congregations....

Click to expand...

Yup. They do it by fleecing the flock.

Decades ago, my parents asked some Baptists missionaries about a certain then popular televangelist who lived where they were from.

"All I want to know is where he got all those limousin cattle," one said.

I once attended church on Sanibel island off the Florida Coast. As I parked my modest rental, I saw an elderly couple getting out of their pristine Mercedes. I saw the woman's ring and it was among the finest I have ever seen. I admit I judged them on their wealth. I always kind of got tilted on some that are wealthy. At the end of the service, the pastor called up those that needed healing. It turned out the woman was quite ill, I think terminal. I felt the compassion of God for her and providentially I saw them as they were getting back in their car and asked if I could pray for her. I do not think I have had too much of an attitude toward the rich again.

Later, I learned in God's kingdom that God's riches are unlimited, whereas modern economics states they are scarce. That if someone receives more in God, it does not take away from someone else. How is that possible to deny the laws of economics? Because God is not zero-sum, if he blesses something, including your giving, it multiplies and does not subtract.

Still, there can be a contempt by many towards rich preachers. There can be a righteous anger too. Both contempt and righteous anger occurred with Eli's sons (I Sam 2) as priests overcharged (along with immorality) the people of God and got severely judged. While I leave it in God's hands, I have a simple, practical giving test for Christians. The best Christian giving is where the receiver gives the most praise to God. Usually that will not be a wealthy ministry but instead some place/person that it really makes a difference.

The best example I know of in my giving is that I once gave just a couple of hundred or so to a Nigerian Pastor I had met. The next thing I knew he was naming a church classroom after me. Obviously, a small amount to me, meant a lot to him and his church. I know that he thanked God for that.

The best example that I can give in receiving something was after a revival meeting in rural Zimbabwe. Once there a man gave me the equivalent of about 5 US Dollars in their currency. I knew it was a lot for this poor man with no electricity or running water. During the time I chatted with him I asked him how much savings he had. He told me it's fine that he had about 3 or 4 dollars still and that was enough. That is the greatest gift anyone ever will give me. I can't say I praise God for the amount but it awes me and gives me a reverence surrounding giving to this day. I share this all to God's glory that everyone may give as God leads but if your not hearing, give where it makes some noise, not where it is taken for granted.

Well, I have been praying about if it can be God's will for someone to have a lot. Yes, I am aware of ministers who I can not say are real ministers and they are loaded and have many followers.

And yes Jesus says many will be deceived.

A few things I think of are certain ministers have been hired by their groups, and ones make their money with books that people choose to buy, and it can be a good change to go home to a nice place after weeks of tour speaking and jet lag and hotel hopping, and big name people can use their nice places to host politicians and national leaders whom they can influence while hosting them.

And there may be other things.