religious question for steadfast Chrisitians: here we go?

Question

Doesn't it bother you that the preachers on TV wear 2000 dollar suits, drive fancy cars, live in mansions, but most of the church goers are lower-middle class, middle class, hard workers who take public transportation and have mortgages to pay? why can't you folks question the practices of these pseudo-celebrities? they're obviously stealing from the church. if they practiced what they preached, they would share all their wealth with the people who come to church?

Answer 1

Wolves in sheeps clothing are everywhere so are Pharisees.

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Answer 2

How are you defining "steadfast Christians?" Be very careful not to put all Christians into the same category. A small percentage worship with these TV Evangelists. Why they do it ranges in reasons as broad as we are individual. (desperation, hopefulness, gullibility, ignorance, . . .the list goes on and on.)

Regardless, I believe their heart is in the right place - they want or need to worship and have found some connection to the words these preachers spew. I can't say whether these preachers are "stealing from the church" and "not sharing their wealth," as you do. Are you an insider that is privy to the inner workings of the congregations of these, as you call them, "pseudo-celebrity" preachers?

My suggestion to you is, if it bothers you so much, and it must because you felt the need to question it, don't affiliate with these churches. I don't, so what they do doesn't bother me in the least.

Answer 3

On the surface it does bother me....and in some cases I think your thoughts are right on the mark.

But I also think you need to be careful of being in judgment of fellow Christians. If you do not know the personal dynamics of any particular pastor's family life...who are you to judge? Maybe they achieved wealth before becoming a servant of God or maybe their wives work or had independent wealth before they were married.....the list goes on and on.

All I am saying is...don't assume. Most ministries have public access to financial records. Do some research and if you still have a problem (1) take it to the church or ministry board and (2) don't continue to support their ministry.

Best Wishes!

Answer 4

Good question. I also believe most preachers on TV are in it for the money. Have you ever noticed how they all use the same tone of voice? You can tell when you are on a religious channel the instant you hear them speak.
I know there are many righteous, good preachers too. They are there to help their congregations in their faith and to save souls.
My faith is not based on what preachers do and do not say. My faith is based on God and the Bible. The entire church can crumble but I will still believe.

Answer 5

That's why this steadfast Christian doesn't support TV ministries. I refuse to fund their latest jet plane, building project, or whatever with my hard-earned money. I do tithe to my local church, but at least I can ask to see the books and demand accountability if I don't think something is right.

And since I'm Catholic, I know my priest has taken a vow of poverty. Everything he has belongs to the Church and to his particular Order.

The only "accountability" that some of the TV ministries seem to have is when the IRS steps in and demands to know where the money's being used.

Answer 6

Yes you are right. The preachers on tv rob the church of its money. However the priests and preachers in my church and about 10 other that i have attended are all lower middle class who have even less than me. So its just those on tv, most of the normal preachers in church are normal middle class to lower.

Answer 7

Evidentally you are watching TV too much. I attend a small Non-Denominational Church and our preacher has a VERY MODEST paycheck from our church. He gives a great amount of time to assist those who need him and works another job to help support his family. I know very little of your TV Evangelists because they do not represent the BIBLE that I read, study, and obey on a daily basis. You should be studying yours also. There will be a test! Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds




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Answer 8

Yes, it does bother me. However, only God has the right to judge their hearts. I don't. And many of those "millionaire preachers" give a lot of their time and money to charity. So for all I know they might be genuine...or they might be in it for the money.

Either way, I refuse to support televangelists.

The pastor at my church is middle-class, and in the Air Force. That's the way I like it.

Answer 9

Absolutely it bothers me.

A lot of the TBN preachers are in it for the money.

Strong Christians in the evangelical world do not respect those people. They preach a false gospel and make a mockery of Christianity. They are hypocrites! Jesus would say "Woe to them."

Those gullible people fall prey to them because they don't read the word of God and live in ignorance. Like some religions......people don't read anything but just wholly trust what their 'preacher', 'rabbi', or 'priest' tell them.

Answer 10

I don't watch them. But, yes it does upset me to see people use God for personal gain. I wonder if the understand that they are merchants and money changers Jesus found in the Temple. It is the only time we saw Jesus really lose it. I think they may be in a little trouble when all is said and done.
I would also like to add that the Vatican is also upsetting me. They could sell one painting and feed an entire nation. They should put their holdings to work instead of stockpiling them on earth.

Answer 11

Many of the ones I watch don't even wear suits... How do you know they're stealing from the church? It could be that God's providing not only for the church but blessing them for the work they're doing. Some of them are given things for free, the favor of God causes things like that to happen. It's happened to me too by the way, though I'm not famous.