I was skipping through the high end of the Sky channels last night and found about 20 channels devoted to Christianity. Most of them featured slick looking preachers in expensive suits talking about how Jesus had saved them. Then I noticed something else they all had in common: numbers to call for people who wanted to make donations. This all sounded a bit hypocritical considering these guys where dressed to the nines and drove around in BMWs etc. One preacher even had the audacity to promise financial "blessings" if you donated $50. Another example of irony was the preacher who was talking about Jesus chasing the money lenders out of the temple, money being the root of all evil and the like, then asking for pledges!
I am guessing that a large percentage of these donations go to the preachers to keep them in a high rolling lifestyle. Should this be allowed? Surely a true Christian would not be concerned with all the flash and pomp. Also, who pays these guys? Thoughts please :)
2007-02-04 23:22:06 · 19 answers · asked by John D 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some of these guys (i.e. Benny Hinn) are a confusion. There's no way they should be allowed to put the numbers up for people to give them money.
I'm a Christian and I'm appalled at people like this. Especially when their 'evangelism' is sometimes obviously so fake. I don't agree with them asking for money - the message is free and is there for people to recieve salvation which is free from an unconditionally loving God.
So why should smarmy so-called 'preachers' recieve all the praise and money for just announcing that news to people? Then splash it on expensive cars and houses? That's not right.
Bit babbled but I agree with you!
2007-02-04 23:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by Mrs Stevo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are lucky with your country. I have only one Christian chanel here in my european country and ...it is better said a sightseeing chanell then a Christianity chanel...perhaps even it doesn't exist anymore , i didn't noticed it last time ...
O how I love to be somebody on tv , talking about Jesus Christ , even if he is a hypchocrite and try to get some money...
Yes indeed they shouldn't do it on money..we should give them without waiting them to ask the money from us ..I mean we ..the rich people..
Do you happen to know if according to the Bible , priests used to receive a financial basis from the people ?They also had to live , I suppose , and cannot preach then work to repair a car , I suppose ...Preaching is exhausting ,..it is a hard work ..
If the people gave somthing to priests in Old testament, and to apostoles in the New Testament, we must do it now , again..
We have to do this nowadays.But I think that the rich people should do it, not the poor..So I might ask :Why don't the rich people don't help ..the churces or those who preaches..about Jesus Christ.In the Bible it is said that God turns the poor into a rich and the rich into a poor..So the rich must thank to God and help the churches and the preachers .Because the rich is a Christian due to them , and gained the money do to his behaviour which is due to the preachers ...So the preachers should have money to live . But I think that nowadays preachers are far away from saints...I just cannot understand why...perhaps you are right..they made a job out of preaching instead of being ..the apostoles of God..who love God and the people ...
2007-02-04 23:41:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very true, many enjoy luxurious lifestyles and their excuse would be that Jesus is looking after them! I do know some who are not like that though. In the Catholic church, the priests and the religious orders take the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. This works most of the time. Any one of us could get up there and preach with a little training, then 'pass the bucket' around! Good question.
2007-02-05 01:16:30 · answer #3 · answered by Plato 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From an atheist point of view, I don't really like what preachers preach. However, if people give them money for it, I'm not one to pass laws saying that they can't. This is a free market.
However, they shouldn't be exempt from criticism about what they teach and how they distribute funds. That should be made public, like it is for any company. There is a bias in this country to treat anything that comes out of a preacher's mouth as being off-limits for discussion.
2007-02-04 23:25:52 · answer #4 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A true preacher should not be allowed to profit financially for his teachings, because it is human nature that he would adapt his sermons in order to give him more attention to his own words rather then the words of the Gospels. He will however gain by passing on the word of God, and receive 'talents' (Matt 25:14-30) and he can invest what God has given to him, which is far more valuable than any earthly currency. I do not think that God would be too interested in dealing in dollar bills in exchange for blessings.
'The God I believe in isn't short of cash mister'
2007-02-04 23:38:21 · answer #5 · answered by Marie M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but it is a debate that will never be concluded and started with people questioning whether Jesus owned the robes he wore. Some say he did not and as such people of the cloth should not own anything and simply teach the word for the love of god. Others say he did and that means that people of the cloth should be able to profit from their preaching (which they do very effectiveley.)
2007-02-04 23:27:49 · answer #6 · answered by Rabble Rouser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
" I am GUESSING that a large percentage of these donations go to the preachers to keep them in a high rolling lifestyle. Should this be allowed?"
Should what be allowed? Your attempt to drag the good names of people you don't even know through the mud based on your uneducated assumptions? How about getting your facts straight first?
How would YOU like it if people criticized everything YOU said and did? Do you honestly think you're the only one trying to destroy their reputatins?
2007-02-04 23:32:57 · answer #7 · answered by D.L. Miller 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well that IS the entire reason for religion after all.
The collection plate is the most important object in any church.
Religion not only sells you the solution, but makes up the problem in the first place. Nice little scam...
2007-02-04 23:29:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Charities are literally not required to pay taxes. notwithstanding the Pastor might want to pay a tax on his/her income. i do not understand the guidelines about it. yet i understand that God blesses His ministries financially. many human beings come to salvation & healing & out of debt because of Gods ministries (by tithes & options). God has suggested to usher in each and every of the tithes & options (Malechi) so there is bread in Gods living house. Why won't be able to a Church ministry personal a jet? The jet can bypass places to assist others. and that is what's used for. If a Pastor makes use of his personal income for his personal income organizations, there is no crime there. If the money for a ministry is used for own income (no longer for the ministry) then there is against the law. it truly is nice to envision issues out. it truly is how Mr. Baker were given realized. i ought to lean to have self belief Mr. Copeland is rewarding on his personal smart investiments with what God has graced him with. Scripturally God ought to have us be in wellness & prosper as our soul is in wellness & thrives. Our soul is what comes to a decision to meditate on. even if it meditates on Gods valuable be conscious or on the adverse message. this is a own determination. If someone has boost because of corruption or unethical means, then it will be realized. yet someone isn't accountable until eventually shown so.
2016-11-02 09:10:07 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WE shouldn't get upset at ministers who are prosperous. However, there are many who only want your money.The 'word' says that anyone who preaches the 'Gospel' should be supported by those who benefit from it. The Word of God is free, but the cost of spreading it to the ends of the Earth, is expensive. .
2007-02-05 00:18:44 · answer #10 · answered by jomi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋