Question to Christian and non-Christian?

Question

I was just wondering why do some people always think a preacher that comes on tv is a fraud or fake??Either not of God just because they have a lot of money or ask for money. To me it's stupid because they are human like we are. They have to make it to. I know everybody is not real but every person is not fake because they ask for money. I know of people who have a lot of money and are pastors. I just want opinions on this subject.

Answer 1

A lot of them get a bad rep because they spend so much on physical comforts and beauty, like that Crystal Cathedral for instance, instead of obeying Jesus and helping the poor and needy. Yes, cameras and klystrons cost money, and they certainly have the responsibility to spread the Gospel. But between the watered down message that many give out [which can't save anybody] and the temptation to abuse the tithes and offerings entrusted to them, TV evangelists are probably in greater danger of Hellfire than many here on this site.

Answer 2

Some may say that the monetary system and the church is like the harlot who sits on the beast. The monetary system is like the anti-Christ or false message of salvation. Anything it would seem that goes against what was Christs message is than anti-Christ also. Why is it people talk about the high costs of building a space system to destroy an asteroid? Aren't the costs of a civilized world worth more than this? Our priorities are misplaced. We have designed our world around a misrepresentation of power and faith in its ability. When a ship is sinking what is more valuable is what preserves life at that moment and not what would weigh us down to sink. Sure it would be nice to have both and in that respect less is more. When we would eventually die what we can take with us are typically memories and lessons for our conscience. Not too much different of a lesson than that of Ebenezer Scrooge. Money can be a valuable learning tool if understood properly and to it's real limitations. Isn't it a shame that many Churches are closed because they cannot afford to stand? To some people though these building are like part of a franchise like a fast food restaurant or gas station. Or that the property would be more valuable real estate as one of these others instead. The story lessons of the two people called Lazarus in the Bible can also apply. I remember the story of the Lazarus Jesus rose was of a rich man who was generous with what he had but was still content to stay that way rather than to give it all away and follow Jesus. Some have said that Mary Magdalene was also very well off perhaps even from donations given to fund the christian movement after the Death of Jesus as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus

Answer 3

Don't you think it seems just a bit hypocritical for pastors to have a lot of money?

To preach for hours does no one any good unless you're actually out in the streets working with the poor, the infirm, the addicts and the homeless. And just imagine how many hungry kids in Africa could eat a nourishing meal more than just occasionally if some of the wealthier Christians, and especially the rich preachers, gave just a bit, or maybe a little more.

That diamond necklace that graces the preacher's wife does no one any good. The same amount spent to put an underprivledged child through college benefits everyone that child comes into contact with.

Really, wealthy preachers are driven by greed. They say one thing and do another. Obviously, they don't have their priorities straight.

Did you know that the only thing Jesus ever owned was the clothes on his back? Look at what he accomplished.

Answer 4

People are always suspicious of those who have much of what ever it is they also desire or wish to have a lot of, too. And since there are examples where there were those who gained through fraudulent and cheating means, it only seems to add to that suspicion. Atleast that seems to be the case with all people, not just preachers. People are suspicious of how politicians raised their money (where it came from) and how it was used, how celebrities got this or that, how company owners.......heck sometimes people are suspicious of their neighbor just because sometimes their neighbor has more of something they would like to have a lot of that they don't have a lot of or has something nice that they'd like to own. They start wondering "how can he/she afford that? how'd they get that?" and so on. So with the case with TV preachers I think the same applies that people are suspicious of the TV preacher. The more attributes that people associate with fraudulent preachers the nonfraudulent preacher exhibits (asking for money a lot being the biggest example although I've heard other examples....the way they dress, talk, walk, the big 'shows' they put on, etc) the more the TV preacher is in a way contributing to people's suspicions about him/her. Thus, odd as it may sound, it is best to try a new approach if you are a TV preacher to ensure that your message is getting out there while at the same time ensuring that your ministry is still funded (buying a big house, flashy clothes and cars, etc often contribute to people's suspicions because it is generally believed that "religious" and "spiritual" people should live modestly and should not take the donations for themself except for what they need simply to survive, otherwise it is expected that all donated funds will be directly used to aid the poor, the needy, to help the ministry with whatever simple things it does, etc). I think my grandmother said it best when she used to tell me "keep it simple" with whatever I was doing. That seems to be fairly sound advice. Live a simple life, have a simple message, etc and people will not only pay attention to you, but they seem to trust you a lot more because you are not aiding their suspicions about TV preachers, but instead are working counter to them and being the kind of "religious" and "spiritual" leader they envision. (ask people to name a type of religious person and generally the first thing they think of is "monk" or "nun"....that says a lot about what the general population associates as true "religious" and "spiritual" people).

Answer 5

This is just my opinion, but as a daughter of a preacher, I have always felt that a minister should live at the median level of their congregation. And my father also worked a full time factory job while he was a minister because we could not live on the $100 per week that the church provided.

The criteria I use to determine if I want to support a Christian ministry is this:
1) What are they using the money for? Is it for a pastor to have a lavish lifestyle and a glitzy, expensive TV set? Or is the money used to actually minister to others? There's nothing wrong with the minister being able to support himself and his family through the ministry, but when they are living a pretty nice lifestyle that is well above the financial level of the people who they are ministering to, then there is a problem.
2) Does that church believe in tithing out? In other words, do they use part of the money toward supporting other ministries, such as missions?
3) When they are preaching the Bible, are they actually using the word of God in context, or distorting what is being said?
4) I think back to what happened to Moses in the Old Testament. During the time that he was leading the Children of Israel around for 40 years, the Israelites complained about having to live on manna. God told Moses to strike the rock at Meribah and allow God to work. Moses told the Israelites, why do I always have to show you. Ooops! He started to think of the ministry as HIS ministry, not God's ministry. When ministers forget that issue, then the ministry is not about God - it's about them. (See Numbers 20 for more details, the link is provided below)

For me, that is the criteria that I use to determine if the ministry is God's or an empire built by man in the name of God. A lot of ministers start out being called by God, but then they exalt themselves above God - or at least it sure seems that way.

Answer 6

I think, just like in any venue, you have to be careful and use discernment when watching these people preach. There are false teachers even within the church.
For instance....a few weeks ago I turned on a program on Sunday morning and the woman speaking was talking about how people only need to pray for healing by praying a certain verse in the Bible and they would never again have to have a flu shot or any other medications. I think that the message was completely irresponsible and I turned it off. I have known very many devoted Christians who have had great health problems including cancer.
Just be careful what you let your ears hear! God bless your day! :)

Answer 7

I agree with what you are saying. Not all preachers who ask for money on TV are fakes or frauds. Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, and many other groups are religious based and regularly ask for money. Does that mean they are fakes, too? We should investigate where and how our money is to be used before we give it.

Answer 8

They are beggers in priests robes. If somthing is of God you don't have to have a annual begathon like the false teachers on tbn. God will make sure your ministry gets what it needs if it teaches truth. And what it needs to further God's word,not buy another merceades or million dollar home. Funny how all these so called pastors want the poor and middle class to give all they have so they can further there oown causes not Gods. And let the people they fleece,go poor. No good charletons. I can hardly wait till Jesus cleanes the temple of these no good money merchants.

Answer 9

You're right not all are fakes and just out for money.

There is a large segment of society who cannot get out to go to Church, mainly the elderly and the disabled so a T.V. ministry is their only way to get God's word.

The problem is there are many T.V. Evangelists who take advantage of that. That's why it's vital to read the Bible and stay in constant prayer so to have a discerning spirit and know which ones are frauds.

Another way is to go to the elderly and disabled peoples homes and take them to Church.

Answer 10

OK, so they have to make it too. But they are specifically spreading the philosophy of a man who said "Give away all you have". Those preachers live lavish lifestyles. The money is not ONLY being used to help people. It's that simple.