Q&A: Are Creflo Dollar and Other Christians Wrong for Living Excessively?
Answer
Jontae, If it was not okay for Christians to have money, all the Christian people need to quit their jobs today and sell all of their possessions and go and live on the street. That's ridiculous and you know that. I'm not sure where the idea that "poverty was next to piety" came from, but that does not line up with the Bible. I guess people forgot that Mother Teresa also rode around in private jets and got million dollar donations from followers... And doesn't the Pope have his own city, the Vatican?
All that aside, the first misconception that I read in your question is that you wrote the Bible says that "money is the root of all evil" that is not what the Bible says. In 1 Timothy 6:10, the scripture says that the "love of money" is the root of all evil. Let me show you a few points from the Bible that may answer your question.
1. Biblical Properity is not just about money: In the Bible if you look up the original language where the word "prosper" or "prosperity" is used it comes from the same word "shalom" which means peace, wholeness, soundness, nothing missing or broken. It also means to have a successful journey. So when the Bible talks about properity (which is very often) it is talking about have nothing missing in any area of life. (family, health, finances, soul, etc)
2. God wants his children to prosper: Psalm 35:27 - says that the Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants.
3. One of the reasons Jesus came to earth is not just to save our souls but for us to live a good life on earth. John 10:10 says that Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. If you look at the Greek rending of that passage, it is translated, Jesus came that we may have life, "superior in quality and superabundant in quantity."
4. Being poor is apart of the "curse" according to Deuteronomy 28: In the Bible, Jewish people understood that poverty was apart of the curse. When Jesus came he redeemed those that will believe in Him from the curse of the law, which frees believers from sin, sickness, poverty and spiritual death. (Galatians 3:13)
5. One of the purposes of having money is so that we can have money to give away: It is not right to have the attitude of "bless us four and no more" God desires for you to use money help the less fortunate. (Ephesians 4:28)
6. But God also desires that you have money to enjoy life: In 1 Timothy 6:17, the Bible says that to charge those that are rich in this world that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but instead to trust in God, WHO GIVES US ALL THINGS RICHLY TO ENJOY. You will notice that the scripture did not say to tell the rich not to be rich, but not to TRUST in their riches. And notice that it is God who is able to give all things for your enjoyment.
7. The blessing from God can make you rich: Proverbs 10:22 says that the blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow.
I can go on and on. I don't know what everyone is so upset about. God is excessive, but at the same time not wasteful. It is amazing that His personality is so many sided. For instance, His streets are made of gold. And remember when He turned the little boy's two fish into enough to feed a multitude and the Bible said that there was 12 basket fulls left over. That's excess, but Jesus made sure that the extra did not go to waste. He had them to gather it all up.
In my personal opinion, Senator Grassley will probably find that the 6 ministers he his spotlighting are on the up and up, because ministries that size have to be. However, he may need to check out some of the smaller churches. I am almost positive that they may be out of compliance with the 501(c)3 requirements.
Hope that helps. The key is just to read the Bible for yourself. That's what I did.
Published by David Patrick
"Live intentionally, Die Empty" View profile
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10 Comments
Post a Commentcontinued from first attempt ... While many say they've earned this 'riches' from non-church ventures, technically this is an untruth. These 'balling ministeries' are no different rap artists we see on television selling money as life. Persons buy Michael Jordans and Jay-Z apparel because of who they are and what they represent. The same for the 'Holy Rollers'; before they gained the trust of the people ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS, nobody would have so much as bought a pair of socks from them. So let's be honest here and use common sense folks. As you see, I mentioned no names as it is not my role or job to judge. But there is indeed ONE who will judge and His decision will be final.
Off the back, the author seems defensive. Why? Why the reference to Mother Teresa and the Pope? Can't the Bible and God defend itself? I think so. While I do not believe God has anything against people having money or things, I do feel he cautions money or things having people. There is something to being modest and not flaunting the wealth of this world. The problem with 'prosperity ministries' is just that, they focus on prosperity rather than focus on the intention of money for Godly purposes and the most important thing, a relationship with God. Aside from a God relationship, all other things will perish. A lot of ministries today, including the mega-church mentality, has lost balance. The 'prosperity' message they are sending and displaying is no different than the rap artists imitating money as life. Money in the ministry should be a revolving door; more should go out than what is staying indoors or in some leaders pockets. While many have begot ric
If the author of this article cannot understand why everyone is so upset, then maybe he should reevaluate the lenses he using to read the Scriptures. Mormons, Scientologists, and Jehovah's Witnesses all quote from the same Bible and they are sadly mistaken as to its message. The author aludes to several interpretations of passages and other "logical" arguments that really fall apart after closer study.
The truth is that pastors, like Levites, have an especially high standard by which they are required to live. The New Testament requires that any spiritual leader in the church be not a "lover of money". No one on this forum, including the author of this article, can honestly say that these prosperity preachers like Joyce Meyers and Dr. Money don't love money. It is crystal clear from their lifestyles that they very much do love money. For crying out loud... Money & prosperity are almost all they ever preach about!!!
On another note, anyone who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in God's name should be ashamed. To take money from less-fortunate parishioners to line their own pockets is just despicable.
I find the lifestyles of these "megachurches'" pastors disgusting. They preach every Sunday to crowds of people and ask them to give up their hard-earned paychecks - people who make $20,000 a year, but are asked to tithe 10%. It's disturbing, and I'm surprised by anyone who advocates it. The Osteen family, for example, is rolling in dough, but their choir has to ride in Coach while they take First Class in the air. Infuriates me.
Great first article!
Hello and welcome. I love your personal motto!
Very good delivery, Mr. Hannah, and welcome to AC.
Nicely done. The problem I have with *any* Christian living excessively is that, as Christians, we are commanded to help others. So instead of buying a $100,000 car for yourself why not buy a cheaper car and buy a couple of other folks who aren't as fortunate as yourself a car. We are the body of Christ and are supposed to help one another. Nuff said :-)
Well written first article. Welcome to AC!