Religion - Power of the Pulpit
80Ernest Angley
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Religion - A Review of Televangelists
Religion is as old as man himself and the conversations about it have started many a war.
Today we have a different battle, it's the battle for your money. The use of the media for televangelists has stretched far beyond just preaching the word of God, it's used for highly profitable marketing of religion.
Since economic times are tough the theme being preached these days is Money, plant a seed of $100.00 and your financial woes will be over. you know the pitch.
A brief history of televangelism
In 1934 the U.S. Congress passed the Communications Act which authorized the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to grant broadcast licenses. The license, in effect, is a monopoly to use a scarce commodity. In exchange for this monopoly, the station is obligated to broadcast "in the public interest." Religious broadcasting was considered one way of fulfilling a station's "public interest" obligation.
In 1960 all this changed. Under growing pressure from conservative groups, the FCC ruled that local stations could sell airtime for religious programs and still get "public interest" credit.
Evangelical groups lined up to buy commercial time on radio and TV, local stations began to cash in on the new demand and to sell time to the highest bidder.
Just before the FCC ruling took effect, only 53 percent of all religious broadcasting was paid-time. By 1977, paid-time religious broadcasting had risen to 92 percent. Since the mid-1970s, religious broadcasting has been firmly in the hands of the televangelists.
Deregulation
When Ronald Reagan became President in 1980, he brought about an almost complete deregulation of radio and TV. He did this by weakening the FCC to the point where it had very little real control.
He cut the number of FCC Commissioners from seven to five. He drastically reduced its budget. And he installed a Chairman who publicly proclaimed that "television is no different from a toaster." The rapid buying of stations by large networks centralized systems -- radio, TV, cable, and satellite which was monopolized by a few corporations..
Today there are some 1,600 "Christian" radio stations on the air, and 250 "Christian" TV stations. They blanket the nation.
The FCC should have long ago denied them their licenses to broadcast because they violated the "public interest rule", but they will not. They cannot, because the religious right has become so strong in the Congress and the Administration that it would be political suicide for any politician to challenge these stations.
It is no secret that some of the messengers have lived lives worse than most and have died from strokes, cancer, heart failure like mortal folks. Not all evangelists are frauds, but the ones that are cast a dark shadow over the group.
Joyce Meyer Compound
The Meyer Family Compound.
Joyce Meyer Ministries bought 5 homes for Meyer and her family (Information obtained from the Jefferson County Assessor's office).
The Ministry pays all expenses, including landscaping and lawn care, property taxes and rehab work. Meyer, her husband and each of their four married children live in the homes, free of charge.
1) Residence of: Joyce and Dave Meyer
Bought: April 27th, 1999
Purchase Price: About $795,000
Square Footage: 10,000
Cost of Improvements: $1.1 Million
Features: 6 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms, Gold Putting Green, Swimming pool, 8 Car Heated and Cooled Garage, Guest House with 2 more bedrooms, Gazebo.
2) Residence of: Daughter, Sandra McCollom and her husband Steve
Bought: February 12, 2002
Purchase Price: $400,000
Square Footage: About 5,000
Cost of Improvements: About $250,000
Features: 4 Bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half Bathrooms, All-Seasons room, Prayer Room, Media Center and a Home Office.
3) Residence of: Son, David Meyer and his wife Joy Meyer.
Bought: June 18, 2001
Purchase Price: $725,000
Square Footage: 4,000
Cost of Improvements: Unknown
Features: 2 Story Colonial, 4 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Bathrooms, 2 Garages and a Utility Shed
4) Residence of: Daughter, Laura Holtzmann and her husband Doug
Bought: March 7, 2001
Purchase Price: $350,000
Square Footage: 2,358
Cost of Improvements: $3,000
Features: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms with a Fireplace.
5) Residence of: Son, Dan Meyer and his wife Charity
Bought: Mar 13, 2000
Purchase Price: About 200,000
Square Footage: About 2,000
Cost of Improvements: $33,000
Features: Brick Ranch With Full Finished Basement
The Meyer Ministry Headquarters
It's always a controversial subject when it comes money, especially money used by a ministry.
We will let you form your own opinion about how money is used in this case and just state the facts according to the assessor's accounting of assets contained in the Meyer headquarters..
Here's a few highlights from the Jefferson County assessor's office.
- The building is decorated with religious paintings and sculptures, and quality furniture. Much of it, Meyer says, she selected herself.
- A Jefferson County assessor's list offers a glimpse into the value of many of the items: a $19,000 pair of Dresden vases, six French crystal vases bought for $18,500, an $8,000 Dresden porcelain depicting the Nativity, two $5,800 curio cabinets, a $5,700 porcelain of the Crucifixion, a pair of German porcelain vases bought for $5,200.
- The decor includes a $30,000 malachite round table, a $23,000 marble-topped antique commode, a $14,000 custom office bookcase, a $7,000 Stations of the Cross in Dresden porcelain, a $6,300 eagle sculpture on a pedestal, another eagle made of silver bought for $5,000, and numerous paintings purchased for $1,000 to $4,000 each.
- Inside Meyer's private office suite sit a conference table and 18 chairs bought for $49,000.
- The woodwork in the offices of Meyer and her husband cost the ministry $44,000.
- In all, assessor's records of the ministry's personal property show that nearly $5.7 million worth of furniture, artwork, glassware, and the latest equipment and machinery fill the 158,000-square-foot building.
- As of this summer, the ministry also owned a fleet of vehicles with an estimated value of $440,000. The Jefferson County assessor has been trying to get the complex and its contents added to the tax rolls but has failed.
- All expenses including property taxes, renovations, utilities are paid by the ministry.
What do you think?
Exposing The Faith Healer
Another interesting case is Peter Popoff.
You talk about resurrection. A while back a guy by the name of James Randi made the rounds with the intent to debunk a few of the televangelists that looked suspicious.
When you watch the video below you will see how the seemingly miraculous vision that Peter Popoff had about peoples problems was really not that miraculous.
Soon after he was exposed he filed bankruptcy,.
Now, sometime in 2007 Peter emerged from the ashes and went right back into the same old routine. We have short memories and must be as gullible as ever because these guys are raking in millions.
There are so many of these guys it's ridiculous, but even after being exposed they still rake in the money. What does that tell you about us?
Kerney Thomas is rather entertaining so we added him to the mix. The first clip is the real Kerney Thomas, the second clip is one we discovered with a comedic tone, and with a subject like this a little levity doesn't hurt.
Religion - The Players
So, as you can see religion is Big Business, faith and hope are also profitable commodities.
Some of the names in the following list may or may not be familiar to you. Some on the list have passed away, some have faded out of the picture due to scrutiny, and others continue to do what they do:
- Jim Bakker
- Juanita Bynum
- Creflo Dollar
- Jesse Duplantis
- Jerry Falwell
- Billy Graham
- Benny Hinn
- T.D. Jakes
- Eddie Long
- Joyce Meyer
- Sister Paula Nielsen - America's only transsexual televangelist
- Joel Osteen
- Oral Roberts
- Robert H. Schuller
- Jimmy Swaggart
- Robert Tilton - in the same era as Peter Popoff, was run off for a while
- Paula White
There you have it, a little recap of where we are in the cycle of religious evolution.
There is no doubt that some evangelists are funneling money into good deeds, but there can be no argument that others take a portion of that money and use it for self serving desires - (history has provided us with that evidence).
So, what all of us have to do is weigh the facts for ourselves and decide who and where you want to tithe, if this is your desire.
Evangelists are human, they are vulnerable to sin and we must take this into account when deciding where to donate and who to listen to. And the question is, in the end does it really matter anyway?
CommentsLoading...
Thanks Guide, the last several years of life have brought many diff. experiences some good some bad, it amazes me how history repeats itself in cases like this (religion).
i am sadden to hear of joyce mayer. i still look up too her.
wow
Huh, strange. I searched and searched for the same article about those "fraudulent" movie stars who take our money on the identical basis of fulfillment, but in the name of entertainment because it's a movie with nudity and that's okay, and I couldn't find it. Apparently we can willfully spend about the same amount of money for tickets to the movie theatre and leave with nothing just like others, who choose to donate to a great ministry, and who are taught biblical principles and how to apply them to everyday life, FOR a greater life. I guess the pictures of the 25,000+ square foot mega-mansions of Hollywood's elite were just a figment of my imagination. Even more intriguing are the ever-forgotten multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers shelled out by blessed authors such as Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar and Joel Osteen which, if my third-grade math teacher taught me correctly, would "rake" in enough EARNED income to blow the mind of rb77. My only disappointment in Mrs. Meyer is that she didn't build her house twice as big - she deserves every square inch of it. Anyone ever heard of a blessing? Ever tried reading a scripture such as Jeremiah 29:11? I'm not better than any of you or anyone else on this planet - I'm just one of the ones who has pulled his head out and experienced a little bit of undeniable truth. I wish the same for rb77.
Travis, your statement is no different than it has been for thousands of years. The excesses of evil trying to be outdone and justified by the excesses of good. I have nothing against Joyce, Creflo or Joel. In fact I find them quite engaging at times, but if you are going to compare them to movie stars and porno films then you have blended them in with what they preach against. Also, let me ask when does a blessing become an excessive blessing? Maybe a 12 car garage is the top.....
For every conerfit there is a genuine artical....some of these ministers are ligitament...they write book and receieve income from their work...other funds pay for the extremly high cost for tv,radio, & newspapers...
we should not put our mouths on the man or woman of God....the net catches many but gOD WILL DO THE SEPARTION He's the only one really quaififide...with love & kindness....
pc
Thanks for the comment,it's for each to decide for themselves based on the information. If one feels it's OK for preachers to live one way or another then that's their privilege.
Regards
This is a very good article for observing the Truth. There are many things to consider. From the New Testament, we know that women are to pray and prophecy. The men are to be the "preachers". If we take away the gender roles, we lose alot of the meaning in our lives. As for the tele-evangelists as a whole, they can speak the words of the Bible, but are they truly Speaking the Words of God? You must be able to Hear and Recognize the hidden meanings in the words of the Bible. As for me and my House, we will Serve the Lord...
You know I loved this article. i know that people look up to ministers, especially televicion ministers. but do you know that missionaries lives on 350 dollars a month in the USA? With no ensurance and no credit? Do you know that it may take a missionary 6 months to a year to find enough suport to GO preach the gospel. If any televicion group or church is getting in a truck load of money it should NOT go into expencive vases! Go to the wall mart and buy yourself a nice vase. But use the rest to sponsor the WORK OF GOD. Help churches grow, help with literature. No it is not bad to earn a lot. it is a SIN to spent it all on a luxurious lifestyle.
Guess what? While all your megabucks televangelists parade their luxurious compounds, our ministry has to fight tooth and nail for every dollar to house homeless veterans and other homeless. Nobody in our church's leadership accepts dollar one. Yet, everyday, our outreach workers are out there amongst the prostitutes, gangbangers and substance abusers trying to help when and where we can.
Personally? I many times stand in line at church food pantries and Unchained Grace Ministries, LLC is not a small ministry yet we put everything we have into the homeless and crisis intervention. None of these illustrious televangelists return our calls. They're too busy playing prima donna pimps in the pulpit and yeah, there's a book by that name. There's also a place in the Bible. Jeremiah 23.
No, there's nothing wrong with being blessed. However, it is what you do with that blessing that matters. Those clowns wouldn't last a day doing what we have to do. Let all the computer cowboys say what you will. We have to fight it out in the trenches daily while TBN and the rest of the "Christian Elite" are polishing their Bentleys while we're bringing the prostitutes and all else to Jesus in a city even the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) has labelled the "Heroin capital of the nation."
You did an excellent job researching and bringing this together. If we had even 1% of what these megaministries burn up in luxury items, I can only dream of who we could then reach out to. When they sit and whine about their reasons for all these blessings, what about the families who have no home and no food? Where's THEIR BLESSING? Who speaks for them? Joyce? I doubt it.
Grace, I guess the best of them get caught up with "Things". I just watched the Devils Advocate movie the other night, Vanity baby. It's one of many sin's.
Keep up the blessed works..
Thanks for becoming a follower. Pacino has always been among my all-time favorite actors. Remember "The Recruit"? Out of it all, there's one line which we need to always keep in mind. "Everything's a test."
The only person I can actually stand in your list is Joel Osteen because he's cute and he sells his books and they're worth buying. Religion is a business.
Ya know, if someone helps someone else, that's good. I just believe there are some lines that should not be crossed, religion marketing has become secular, it all blends in together.
What cracks me up is that you guys aren't mad at all the Casinos, or the sex trades who attack the weak minded every day. The other thing to think about is most of those evangelists work their tales off. If you write a book or produce something....like Joyce....you would get paid as well. Her stuff is sooo good, that is why she has the money she does. You have perverted truth and some day you will realize that. I'm not saying there aren't crooks out there, but your list is full of those who aren't. Most of them work harder than you can imagine. And....it's not religion. Whats important is having a relationship with Christ, making Him your savior. Use your 'gifts' to attack the industries that are REALLY hurting our world....like the sex and gambling trades. Thank you
Rusty, I understand your thoughts, but it's the platform we take issue with. Porno, gambling, sex, it is what it is. People pay for what they get, but when you take the pulpit your standards are a bit different. As we have seen preachers are still human.
Joyce is OK with me, I'm just pointing out the facts, as they were reported, and trying to understand the connection between she buying a $10,000.00 vase or a $2,000.00 toilet and God's word. I don't object to anyone having and deserving "nice things", but you just can't preach that materialism is bad and then turn around and be extravagant.
I agree with you, our list above can be misleading, we were just listing the televangelists (some good, some bad) who had fairly big TV ministries. There is no doubt that many are doing good work.
When you take homage in this area you are dealing with frail human emotions. When you buy $14,000.00 vases you open yourself up to scrutiny. It's not scrutiny one has to worry about, it's judgment.
What's amazing is that church organizations are doing the very same thing! They build organizations, to build real estate portfolios! I mean, isn't that what's its all about anymore? I know that God isn't happy about it, and neither am I....
May the repentance begin...
Elisha, God already knew that we would implode on ourselves over time. You see it accelerating more as each day passes, two of the 7 deadly sins are alive and well today, greed and fear.
Thank you for exposing these frauds. I have a hub on "The Devil Went To Church." I'm a Christian and hate to see the money game being played out here. Thanks for this well written piece.
TMWNP, thanks for the comment. I'm just consolidating what's out there in print. You know, God gave us a brain to discern with, and in some cases it just doesn't feel right. Some folk will follow the pigs right over the side of the cliff, I can't do that.
I agree with you 100% and surley agree with unchained grace. However we are not to judge nor are we to hate for they are inhearting the world and those that stock up thier own false riches will have to answer for thier deeds before the master. For he knows our deepest darkest secrets and by him justice will prevail!!! Great Hub I certainly voted this one up!!! And you certainly gained another follower!!!!~~~ I have linked this hub to one of mine my hat is off to you for writing such a honest and bold hub
Thanks for dropping by Sundaymoments. You know, my little hub will have no impact on the big picture. It's just interesting to put some of the pieces together, especially when it's out in the open. The older I get, the more I realize the little I have accumulated from here, will stay here.
excellent article. Two thumbs way up....I knew i didn't like the people telling me to send $
899 - The warning signals go up anytime someone says you need to send them money to get connected to God.
Thanks for the comm....
This is so typical of a money driven society. Who cares if Joyce has 10 homes and 20 cars! I can guarantee you that she feeds more people than you do. If she is guilty of sin, let God judge her not you. Maybe she is more trustworthy with her money than you are, that is why she has lots and you have non. She has put in the hours and years to get to where she is, to me, that is God's blessings for her faithfulness. I would assume the money issue lies with you, as the bitter roots seems to be from yourside.
Rolf, you make for a spirited discussion, but I'm not judging her, I'm just stating the facts about what is reported. You use the words "maybe and assume" in your statement against me, I have to ask, who is judging who without facts? I personally think Joyce is OK, but come on when you spend $5,000.00 for a toilet or $10,000.00 for a vase, don't you even think God has to frown on this? Rolf, your welcome to comment anytime..
I understand the point that you are driving at, but we don't know all the circumstances and situations with regard to the inner workings of these ministries. If there is any abuse of funds God will judge it and deal with it accordingly. As for me I always think of the words of Paul from Phil 1:15-18 15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
Rolf, I appreciate your insight. If I dig down into my memory banks I remember something called the spirit of discernment. I know this is to be applied in all areas of life, including who we listen to. I will not lump Joyce in with Peter Popoff, but God says even the best of us can fail and get caught up in temptations.
Rolf, as I age I see how opposite the desires of the flesh are from the spirit. I also see how material things are distractions, distractions that keep us in sins grip. Can we blame sin? No, like all of us it has a job to do, and it does it well.
I accept that point completely. I do not know Peter Popoff as I do not live in the United States, but the work that I have seen Joyce Meyers Ministries do here in South Africa as well as through various friends, has been extremely beneficial. If she wants to enjoy some of the financial reward while producing this kind of teaching material and humanitarian work, then so be it. Lets pray for fellow believers like Joyce and others, that they may not get caught up in the pleasures of this world and that they finish their race strongly. They have to be without any doubt on the frontline of attack from the enemy. Instead of adding to that pressure we should pray for their protection. I pray that the Holy Spirit would remind these people of the 2nd portion of 1 Cor 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Be Blessed
You know Rolf, I've made so many mistakes in life that I'm the last person to judge anyone. I've never heard much bad about Joyce and many other evangelists, and they use their resources to help others. I do believe were winding down this life on earth, the grandest of the 7 deadly sins, greed and fear are upon us. The U.S. is in turmoil and must fall for prophecy to prevail. Among all this, God is in control, but I think you'll have to admit it's pretty interesting how it's all unfolding.
If you told me 5 years ago we would be at this point, I would have bet against you. I'm glad you and your country are benefiting from Joyce and others. The stories I hear about Hatti are quite different. I hear only 10% of the monies donated for that cause have made it to the people in need.
Regards
I am really sorry to hear about Hatti
Yes, corrupt politics should have no place in these circumstances, but they do..
As an evangelical Chrisitan I have to say that these freakish televangelists sicken me. Their sin. greed, deceit and self-acclaimed, special revelation power, prophets of God, and immorality when the TV cameras are off are a disgrace. I pray for them on the rare occasions that I see one. My greatest concern is for all the immature, out of kilter Christians who are prey to these money mongers. These preachers to me are worse than the pharisees. And the really sad thing is, that because they proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, people sometimes link all Christians in with these people. A lot of the televangelists of the day teach very bad doctrine. I pray that they will turn from their wicked ways and allow God to restore them to a right standing with God. I am sorry to all people who have been hurt and offended and duped or cheated by these people.
I am curious where you got all that information on Joyce Meyer? Although I like her teaching and she gives sound teaching as far as I can see, I have never fully trusted her and have always suspected she might be living the lavish life. I recently went on her ministry website. She is registered with an organization with an excellent reputation that keep track of the books and keep them acocuntable. There is a link on her website where you can see a simpler form of the books for her ministry as revealed by this financial accountability organization (it is not a Joyce Meyer organization). I looked through it, but not super in depth. But sometimes people are smart and can pull the wool over anyone's eyes.
As for Billy Graham, I know he still lives in his old log cabin up in the woods (a former pastor of mine is friends with him and Franklin and he speaks there for conferences once in awhile. As a matter of fact, he is on the board of dirctors. This pastor has an impeccable reputation and I trust him. He is not a loony toon. He is of sound mind, full of integrity, and loves Jesus greately. I don't know about the Billy Graham Association facilities and their spending habits. But Billy does not live high of the hog. He is a humble man, living his last days in his lonely cabin in the mountains of South Carolina. The cabin is Large but quaint, there is no extravagance in his home. Great hub. Very good. I am sorry for the corruption and debauchery of these sick people. May God have mercy.
Lambservent, the information on Joyce was found doing a search, there were several papers that had pretty much the same data. As was mentioned somewhere in these comments "who cares what she does, as long as she is doing some good" I liken this thought to this one "he is a good father and husband, who cares if he is having an affair on the side". It is true, God will be the final judge of all of this, but we also cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening in these cases.
In closing, didn't God say "beware of false prophets" as it will increase in the end times, I wonder how close we are? Thanks for the comment.
I absolutely agree with you about your remark saying "he's a good fahter and husban, who cares if he's having an affair on the side." That's what everyone said when Bill Clinton was in office. He's a good president, what he does in his private life is no one elses business. If people in ministry, corporations, organizations, congress, senate, white house, etc don't have integrity in their personal lives, then why should we trust them and buy their wares. Thanks again for a great hub. Byt the way, I just looked on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. website and they have their 990 tax form in it's entirety available for all the world to see. It's pages long, but if anyone wants a look-see, it's there for the asking.
Yes, Billy Graham has stood the test of time. I will take a look at his history. You know, vanity is one of the 7 deadly sins, but it is quietly ignored in these religious circles. I've seen it even in our small local churches. One pastor gets a nice car, then down the road the other local associate gets one. So is it hard, even for the best of them, not to get hooked up in this vanity thing which results in a $10,000.00 toilet. Just a thought....
ive been atacked and threaten by these people, they have people monitered investigate people thats the bible, they blocked me from being employed i hardly can pay my bills, snakes in the pulpit
Sometimes we feel like "What can be done to stop these people from hurting the public? Their money buys them power. But a lot of these people end up creating their own demise. I think we have to remember that God said, "Vengence is Mine, says the Lord. I will repay!" There is one thing we can do and that is pray, not only for God to protect the people who fall prey, but that these evangelists and ministries will fall by the wayside. Ultimately, we need to lay at Christ's feet and trust him to do with them as He wills, in His own way, and His own time.
When I was a new Christian, I used to wathc TBN all the time. It made my husband so mad. He wasn't a believer so I thought he just didn't have a clue. As I grew in the Lord, studied His word diligently and stayed involved in sound, responsible bible believing churches, I was able to see the truth. All I can do now is make sure I am being a good witness and an authentic responsible Christian by living a godly example. I am not saying I have it all figured out or that I am in every way a perfect example of Christ, but I hold Christ dear and want to honor Him with my life. To that end, I pray every night before i go to bed and examine my heart and ask Him to reveal to me the sins of my day. When I need to make an amends, I do so as quickly as possible. But I am still and sinner in need of a Savior.
Lambservant, us, preachers, pastors, we're all human. In the end it all works out, it's in between that we are tested. They often say "If Jesus Christ Himself Came Back to Earth" some people still wouldn't believe in God. So what can you do except do as you have stated in your comment.
Regards...
I have the opportunity to travel a great deal in this country. You could even call my a "gypsy".
Everywhere I go, I seek the small, downtrodden little church, that struggles to seat a 100.......this is a perfect example of why. I have no respect for the " prosperity gosple".
There's a big difference between wants and needs. The world tempts us with wants, God provides needs. Wants cost money and people (whether preachers or not) are vulnerable to these wants. This is part of the package that comes with the human race.
Regards..
Very interesting, but heartbreaking expose'. We live in a day when folks want to be entertained and told how they can use God to overcome the situations they bring on themselves, without repenting and seeking cleansing by the Holy Spirit. Keep on with what you are doing friend. It will have its impact.
Watch the videos of Joyce Meyer Ministries at work building hundreds of homes, water wells and giving medical help to thousands of children/orphans and people all over the world. I have seen them. Don't begrudge her the need for a plane to get there. It is literally impossible for her to get everywhere she needs to go to do the wonderful things she does for people if she has to wait in lines at airports! Come on . . . think about it - any good business man who has built enough revenue is smart enough to do the same thing - except she is using it for charity. Get the FACTS!! Joyce is a humble and loving person with real life issues just like the rest of us and she admits it. She does not believe in using people and if you listen to what she says enough times you will find that she CHECKS herself and how she manages her life and makes sure she is giving to someone every day . . . Of course she is blessed - read the word of God. Good and honest kings and faithful men of God in the Old Testament were given property and good things by GOD in order to provide for their families - She has been audited and found to be one of only 2 evangelists that have been honest in exposing all of their assets and where they are going and found to be without fault. If she built a compound years ago for her family - then all the more blessing to her - God is honoring her for all that she has been through and sacrificed in order to serve Him with her life.
That's fantastic that you are a self proclaimed "Gypsy." But who are you and what have you done for His kingdom? How come we haven't heard of you?
@Charlieman17 - I AGREE with you about the private jet and I AGREE that Joyce has distributed money for good things, but you said it it right when you said "Any Good Business" it has become a business.
Point #2 - If you are in the "Business" of helping people using the pulpit of God as your foundation, don't you think $49,000.00 for a conference room table and chairs could be better used to feed people? Or how about $19,000 for a pair of Dresden vases, could this money be better used for starvation is Africa?
I saw a very nice conference table w/chairs at Macys for $2,000.00. I saw a very nice vase at Ikea for $100.00.
Religion has turned into a BUSINESS and it's filled with egos and vanity.
Billy Graham has done as much or more than Joyce and you don't hear this type of extravaganza spending.
Remember one more thing, Joyce is the figurehead, she has a lot of people doing the grunt work behind the scenes. If you are to give credit for these good deeds start with the people who are in the trenches day in and day out.
Thanks for the comment.
@Rioman9 - I know, you are trying to say who am I to say anything against Joyce Meyer, Right? Well, if you reread what I wrote I am not writing anything more than the facts from the Jefferson County Assessors office.
But, as I mentioned in the above comment I have the RIGHT to use the brain that God gave me and practice discernment.
These evangelists are human, on one side of the ledger they do good deeds, on the other they get a little crazy, do the good deeds compensate for the other?
I never begrudge Joyce or anyone to live nicely, but come on an 8 car garage that has heat and A/C - an the list goes on and on.
Thanks for the comment.
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guidebaba 3 years ago
rb..I wonder how do you do your research to write such great articles. Thumbs up for you.