Should Pastors run the Congregation like a business and live extravagant lifestyle?

Question

Recently, it's on the news that three pastors of Prayer Palace in Canada lead lavish lives. Between them, the pastors have amassed a real estate fortune worth about $12 million. Each owns a multi-million-dollar country estate ( worth as much as $5.5 million), one mansion has a home cinema, five-car garage, seven bathrooms and seven bedrooms. They share a Florida vacation villa, and the pastors and their wives drive luxurious cars – among them a Porsche Cayenne SUV, a Lexus RX 330 SUV and a Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 convertible, an Audi A6S sedan, BMW 7 Series and 3 Series sedans, a Lincoln LS and Towncar, and a red, oversized Dodge pickup. However, a continuing investigation into Canadian charities has found the church devotes little money to charitable work. In fact, the church's most recent financial statements show that only $9,443 was spent on "benevolent and charity" activities in 2005. The church's annual "missions" fluctuate between $500 and $36,704 in the past few years.

For the full article, visit:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/187986

Photos of some mansions:
http://www.thestar.com/photoGallery/187922

Website of the Ministry:
http://theprayerpalace.com/

Answer 1

No. It's sinful activites what these pastors are doing.

It is sinful to use the Bible and God's words as products for selling to simple folks.

It is sinful to use the Bible's words as a script to perform in front of people, like actors reciting a movie script.

It is sinful to commit legal theft from poor, hardworking believer's pockets for supporting the extravagant lifestyle.

It is sinful to spend time on acquiring money, cars, mansions instead of spending time to study the Bible. These pastors are working for materialism instead of working for God. They don't do enough charity work.

In Luke Chapter 16, Jesus gave us a parable:

The Rich Man and Lazarus

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

Materialism is often the top temptation of all temptations

List of Temptations:

1. Materialism
2. Pride
3. Being self-centered
4. Laziness
5. Anger/Bitterness
6. Sexual lust.
7. Envy
8. Gluttony
9. Lying

Answer 2

The old question among pastors is "how big is too big?" and the pastor answers, "if it's bigger than mine." This is a very delicate issue. I would say for those pastors that, based on their financial records for church donations to missions and charity, they have no reason to live the high life because their church is not fully supporting the mission of the universal Church. However, if their church was consistently sending amounts of money that are in line with what the church budget is and how much they have come in through offerings, like say $50,000 a year or more, then I would have no problem with their pastors having homes like that. However, as that is obviously not the case, they should be ashamed of themselves to a certain degree for living that luxurious.

Answer 3

Maybe those pastors should read what the Bible says..

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money).

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I believe God's word is pretty clear on this matter... don't you?

Answer 4

I am a Christian Preacher, writer and Evangelist, which perhaps gives me the right to say something about your question.

As far as I'm concerned these men are not Pastors but con men selling the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But then that's just my opinion.

I work a full time job in order to support my family.
I have never taken one red cent from the Church.
I will not take any money when I go to some else's Church to Preach.
My web-site, http://www.anchorpoint, is paid for and kept up to date by me. You would also notice no donation button on my web-site.

I don't have a problem with a Pastor making enough money to support himself and his family. And I agree that he should have JUST AS MUCH as his congregation does.

I'm very uncomfortable with these millionaire Preachers.
But then that's just the opinion of this Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

No, but they often do. Religion is really big business these days. I was surprised to learn how many churches actually charge a membership fee (I think they call it a regular contribution agreement) to members who can afford it. Like it's a special club or something.

Answer 6

There would look reason behind extra study of probable questionable practices with reference to the move of tax-deductible, donated gross revenues (income) to the wallet of those pastors (salaries and reward). As an officer of a tax-exempt religious employer, i understand first-hand that those guidelines are very strict. In our religious crew, we intently keep on with the U.S. tax code, which holds that we are able to not use tax-exempt donations we've received to income one in each of our workers or individuals - EVER! no longer even to help a member who has change into with out caution unemployed and is ill. to help one in each of our own individuals, we would might want to do a thoroughly separate, non-tax-exempt fund elevating campaign. it really is in accord with the regulation, and it style of feels honest to us. i understand alternative monks, who as workers of the Church, might want to fill out deal with 1040 and State taxes in line with annum. because their salaries are frequently fantastically meager, and they might properly be taxed at a decrease fee because their salaries are derived from non-income, they likely pay little tax. although, if a priest holds an pastime in a for-income employer, he would truly be paying taxes on the completed fee. As to the NPR tale, curiously there opt for to be some loopholes closed right here.

Answer 7

Those are precisely the people that give the church a bad name!

Answer 8

Well, one has to applaud their testicular fortitude. And I laugh at the dopes who gave them all that money!

Answer 9

Must be nice to be able to sponge off of the believers.
.

Answer 10

Sheep are for fleecing.