EURweb.com - Black Entertainment | Black News | Urban News | Hip Hop News | Black Entertainment
Sat, Nov 21, 2009

Newsletter Sign-up:

News on Michael Jackson, 50 Cent, Beyonce & More

EURweb
Back to the Article » Click Here
Click here to post your comments.
Name: jazzfan
Comment: I don't care how much charity work he can point to, if y'all want to follow these fools who drive Bentleys and live a multi-millionaire lifestyle while people around them starve, if you REALLY think that's would Jesus would do, then you go right ahead!
Name: BlkATLTop
Comment: Creflo Gimmie Yo Dolla speaks again
Name: nightshift
Comment: No one just comes up with the idea to suprise any one with a Rolls unless a bug was put in their ear. Creeplo needs to stop trying to justify being trifling crooks. God'll get you for that.
Name: McNasty
Comment: The irs just recently snatched up several employees in their headquarters here in dc for absconding with more than 20 mil - so yeah, a concerned congressman has every right to ask questions about mega church finances. As long as churches have a non profit or not for profit status (irs) anyone connected to irs can ask those questions, that would include committee members.
Name: McNasty
Comment: I guess crefmodollar thought as long as no one was questioning no one was looking but we are living in the days of the oversight committees and now they are saying anointed or not we see you too!
Name: khufu
Comment: LOL Hey, yall notice that all those folks who came to the rescue of Juanita Bynum and who always run to the defense of "Chritianity" have nothing at all to say since this story was first posted? Well, as the days progress and the Scriptures all continue to become manifet, for those who can see...Lucifer is in the pulpit.......and many are being deceived.......the majority are being deceived
Name: khufu
Comment: I wonder if any regular members have access to theat Rolls or to the Jet being that their money paid for it....
Name: queeniebunz
Comment: He's a crook, period. Anybody speaking in the true name of Christ doesn't go around flaunting their wealth while their congregation is struggling as his flock is. And, anybody truly living for Christ doesn't show up profiling in a booty bouncing video like "Welcome to Atlanta" with people like Ludacris! Creflo is a sick joke!!! UUUGGGGHHH!!!!
Name: katgrrrl
Comment: Queenie: AMEN!
Name: amethyst
Comment: I don't understand why ministers should "sow" money into Kenneth Copeland, when he's a millionaire. It would have been better to ask them to "sow" money into some charities on behalf of Copeland to further the ministries to the poor and needy. And Copeland could have spoken up and told them to put the money elsewhere. The last thing a millionaire needs is monetary gifts. I'm not going to judge any of these people because eventually the ones who are decent will be revealed, and all of the crap will come to light.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: Tom Joyner said this morning that Creflo's church took in 69 milion dollars last year.
Name: khufu
Comment: a lot of these chruch structures are actually pyramid like with yt up at the top (like Don's in the mafia) getting paid... Plantation Christianity
Name: SpecialK
Comment: I don't get how he could accept such extravagant gifts when that money could have been used for Katrina victims, homelessness, etc. Crooked Dollar lives for that almighty dollar. What mega-minister needs a private jet? Where in the world are they traveling that other airlines don't go to? I'm through with this mess!
Name: MissE
Comment: Why not attack all the NBA stars, rap stars, NFL stars that have 4 and 5 extravagant cars, home theatres and basketball courts in their homes? closets full of designer clothes and shoes? that's what they're spending their money on. the money that yall give them everytime you go and by 150.00 pair of tennis shoes. these ministers can do whatever they want with THEIR money the same way you can do whatever you want to with yours. if joyce wants a 24 karat gold toilet, so what? it's HER money. why is it that many of us have the mentality that minsters should live poor? read your bible. these people WERE NOT POOR. his disciples were not poor. they had gold, silver, cattle. judas was the treasurer, why would they need a treasusresr? luke was a doctor. look at Job, Solomon, etc., etc...... this is clearly an attack of the enemy. Satan is alive and well and he's attacking God's ministers and he's succeeding. you better think first. Creflo's church took in 69 million dollars, so what? more than that was taken in on one night at the movies!
Name: queeniebunz
Comment: >MissE - a minister is supposed to minister. That means take care of his flock. Part of that is setting a good example. You are absolutely right. These ministers ARE living like the other celebrities but they are not supposed to! They are supposed to present their congregations with an example of how to live and how to be good stewards with their money. You need to look at Rick Warren. Rick Warren wrote "Purpose Driven Life". He lives in a modest home, doesn't collect a salary from the church, gave back all the money from his previous salaries = all the money the church paid him prior to the success of his book, and uses the bulk of the proceeds of him money for charity. And his book is probably one of the best sellers ever of religious material. Now, compare that to your boy in his Bentley or Rolls or private jet and really process who is the better example. Warren does not live the life of a pauper but he doesn't live like a king, either and he's content and he's setting a wonderful example of how to be a good steward of multimillions of dollars. But keep believing what you are believing and continue to be bamboozled by these false prophets. SMH...
Name: katgrrrl
Comment: SPECIALK!!!!! AMEN, AMEN!!!!!!!!
Name: khufu
Comment: you cant be serious? youre joking right? if not, this thinking is sad Name: MissE Comment: Why not attack all the NBA stars, rap stars, NFL stars that have 4 and 5 extravagant cars, home theatres and basketball courts in their homes? closets full of designer clothes and shoes? that's what they're spending their money on. the money that yall give them everytime you go and by 150.00 pair of tennis shoes. these ministers can do whatever they want with THEIR money the same way you can do whatever you want to with yours.
Name: katgrrrl
Comment: Hi MissE: I agree with your comment about how people should be able to do whatever the heck they wanna do with their money. However, your comparison of athletes, rap stars & movies to ministers... Erm...no. Ministers preach that we are here to help each other; that we must all do our part to help the less fortunate, etc. Athletes and entertainers don't...well, some do and some actually DO lotsa charity work, but I don't see how you can compare entertainers n' ministers. That's like comparing apples and bras.
Name: WillyBobo
Comment: MissE..i think you need to go back an read your Bible again....tell me what cattle the disciples owned...they were fishermen...Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head ie I dont have a house let alone a bed....Also read Luke 18:18-27....Creflo is stealing money, period....I said it...if you're demanding tithes and you're not a Levitical priest, you're stealing....if you tell people that they can get God's favor by giving money to you, you're stealing....all the sheets are being pulled off by God.....it is not the work of Satan even though those preachers would have you believe it....Im not saying ministers should live poor...Im saying that they should stop selling something that was freely given by Jesus....get a real job....Paul had to work as a tentmaker to support himself...sports figures and actors etc are not stealing money from the people in the name of God....so you dont have a valid comparison...
Name: McNasty
Comment: Athletes aren't claiming to be able to lead anyone to their salvation, ministers are. While I agree that they should give as much as possible to the community - it is the absolute responsibility for ministers to fill the need in whatever way is possible and driving a rolls ain't hittin on nothing but flossin'. The leftover and forgotten from Katrina would like to floss in a simple volkswagen but they can't even afford that! There should be no millionaire preachers or ministers and no man following God's word but preaching riches and wealth right here on earth should have such a large following. It just goes to show what their congregations are about.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: The atheletes and celebrities do not have NON-PROFIT status. They can spend their money anyway they want since they are subject to taxes. But how does a non-profit justify a $23,000 toilet seat or two rolls royce's?
Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: MissE: You really should read the Bible yourself instead of letting these "wolves in sheep clothing" translate it for you. Check out the following scriptures in Matthew. Matt: 24: 4 And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 23 “Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned YOU.
Name: BlkATLTop
Comment: Miss E- A pastor can own a Rolls Royce or a jet if he wants one- but he needs to pay TAXES on it and not hide behind tax-exempt status which is what some pastors are doing. If I pay taxes on my salary which pales in comparison to Creflo or Ms Eddie's, then they should pay theirs too.
Name: MissE
Comment: queenie, a minister does not take care of his flock, he is a wathman over their souls. he is to lead them, that's all he can do. what they do after that is on them. i'm not being misled by anyone for i know what i believe so badkitty you don't have to warn me i already know about false prophets. willbobo, demand tithes? can't nobody MAKE you give you their money. Mcnasty,its not just the minister's responsibilty to fellthe need, it's mine and your's too if you call yourself a christian i tell you what, lets just wait this one out and see what happens. many of you will be surprised.
Name: librason
Comment: WOW!I usually read the comments but Dayuumm MissE!are u serious?Yo pockets must be like rabbit ears.Khufu you always on point.
Name: MissE
Comment: amethyst, you already judged when you said the last thing a millionaire need is money. how do you know he doesn't need money? these people have world wide ministries, it doesn't come free.
Name: MissE
Comment: rabbit ears? help me out here. and yes, i am serious.
Name: khufu
Comment: sad, youre serious. you need to read your next door neighbor's Bible then. Name: MissE Comment: rabbit ears? help me out here. and yes, i am serious.
Name: jazzfan
Comment: >MissE: That means when you pull the pockets of your pants out they just hang like rabbit ears 'cause they're MT. Are you really being serious with your statements? Do you really believe that so-called men of God, who supposedly received a calling from above, should be compared to athletes and entertainers, who are of the world? You really think that if Creflo or any other minister took in $69M that it is better spent on Rolls-Royces and private jets (according to Wikipedia, Cashflo owns 3) than on ministering to the poor and sick around them? Why do ministers need worldwide ministries anyway? If Cashflo's sanctuaries are in NYC and College Park, GA, there are plenty of souls within walking distance of each that need ministering.
Name: MissBee
Comment: It seems like people are missing something obvious here. With a name like Creflo Dollar, did anyone really think he was about God and not money? Seriously, lol! See, I was going to open a restaurant but I need to be more profitable. I know, I'll open a church in the mall. I'll have baller status inside of 6 months. Hell, I don't even need to know the bible, just talk like I do. Or better yet, just pick two words from a passage and make a week long sermon out of it!!!! Bentley and the Hamptons here I'z come!!!!
Name: papertrails134
Comment: MissBee is right, dollar iz in his name. He iz about the dollar. You know, study the bible a little, and pimp these ignorant congregations out of millions. It's real easy to dupe blak people out of money, open your eyes eveyone iz doing it. Cleflo you had a good run, and got mad money but they closin in on ya man, like Frank Lucas they closin in.
Name: DrKnowItAll
Comment: what up everybody!!! hopefully all is well with you.. I'm gonna sit back and READ and try to understand this today. I see people quoting scripture to justify, then others quoting it to unjustify this topic. I really want to learn what motivates people to raise up a man, his car quality, his income, all in the name of religion. I personally think that all these agencies under the IMF umbrella needs better clarification under the law as to what is and isn't acceptable. I remember being in church as a kid and at REVIVAL week, a visiting pastor would come in and at the end of the week an "offering" was gathered to compensate him to also go along with his prearranged fee. I always thought that was shady. Anyway, when millions get accumulated SOMEBODY IN THE GOVT. gonna get involved. Speak on!!
Name: B00TANEB00TUS
Comment: ...Yo, "Let he without greed snatch up the last dollar"...All you self righteous folks make me sick...How you gonna dump on Creflo?...He's doing what he's doing and providing a sense of comfort to a multitude of foo-er-people...If they wanna give him Bentleys, yatchs, homes from the east to the west let'em...It's their money man...Not yours and definately not mine...It's his ministry, not yours...Ain't it funny how much that sounds like ministrel?...Hmmmmmmm,Hmmmmmmmm. If his followers don't have enuff sense to pay the mortage and utlities BEFORE the love offering to Creflo then whose fault is that?...Creflo and 'em ain't nothing but a smoke screen..The real crooks are getting away with murder...Yeah, toss a mega preacher out in front while the real sh1t is going on behind the curtains...I'm not a Creflo apologist...I don't watch his show...I just know when I channel surf and see him...He looks like a pimp in those Steve Harvey suits...Now 69 mil may sound like a lot but remember he has to pay for a fleet of cars, custom made pimp suits, a private jet, homes, vacations and I'm sure he's not dining out at Golden Corral with the majority of his flock...Now that 69 mil dosen't sound like a helluva lot...I'm just suprised it's taken the Gov'ment soooo long to get involved...What's the avg worth of a mega church these days?...Creflo's bringing in 69 mil a year....He ain't even the biggest fish...Like DrKnowItAll posted... "When millions get accumulated SOMEBODY IN THE GOVT. gonna get involved. Speak on!!"....It's Tuesday and I just wanted to go on a rant....
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: MissE, I am not certain about whether you are one of those church-going folk who like to have bragging rights on how well your church takes care of its pastor but you may be and if so, it's your choice . . . as noted by queeniebunz, Rick Warren is a good example of a megachurch minister who remembers his place in the Christian scheme of things: GOD is Alpha and Omega and all points in between . . . megachurch ministers don't have to live as modestly as Warren but they don't have to live as extravagantly as Dollar, Myers, etc.
Name: khufu
Comment: apparently she is....and while the choices are hers, so are the consequences... Name: HarrisThomas Comment: MissE, I am not certain about whether you are one of those church-going folk who like to have bragging rights on how well your church takes care of its pastor but you may be and if so, it's your choice
Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: MissE: That was Jesus warning you (and all of us through scripture) if you would have read my post correctly and or actually read the scriptures.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: The truth of the matter is is that it is okay for God's ministers to be blessed, but it is not okay for them to be EXCESSIVE. A ministers job is to care for his sheep (members) those that have been entrusted to him by the Great Sheppard. Someone on here said it's their money and it shouldn't matter, but I beg to differ. We are suppose to be different than rappers, NBA players etc. People chosen by God to carry his word are not be compared with the world. Ministers are to live comfortably but no minister should be eating steaks when the person who helped you get the steak has nothing to eat. Jesus told the disciples to "take no thought for what you will eat, drink or wear". He sent them out and instructed that they live by faith. It's not faith when you know that you're getting a check Friday or your royalty check is coming this week.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: Now it's one thing if your salary comes from book sales, cd sales, etc, but it's another when every bling you own is in purchased by and through the church. What makes this a problem is the NBA stars, entertainers, rappers etc have to pay taxes. Ministers/minitries have NON-EXEMPT status. Is it reaally necessary to have so much when you won't even speak to the people who helped you get it. You see we must recognize that is the people, members, fans that support these people NOT because God commanded them to, but because they have bought into the HOOK! "give to me and I'll pray and you'll be rich, name it and claim it, blab it and grab it". That is the real problem. And they are no different when they found out the MR. BIG didn't pay his taxes what happened? Jermaine Dupree, Michael Jackson, Red Foxx, and a host of others were highlighted for TAX EVASION, so now that they are "MEGA PREACHER STARS" then the spotlight has to shine on them as well. sorry!
Name: khufu
Comment: truth and wisdom JDUBYA
Name: MissE
Comment: looks like yall are dumping every mega church pastor in the same boat. why just pick six of them? is that fair? why not go after them all? and rick warren? half the stuff in his book ain't even scriptual. go back and read it again. he may look like he's living humbly, but you don't know what he's doing with HIS money behind his modest living. so why not go after Charles Stanley? Why not go after Floyd Flake? Khufu i know you like him but i also know first hand the stuff that goes on behind those closed doors at Allen. and yalll see they aint messin with Fred, he's already in the process of suing the media. jesse duplantis has a jet, been had one for a long time. why not go after him? it just ain't right to go after a hand picked few. jdubya, how many times have you eaten a steak and the homeless person outside the door of the restaurant was begging for something to eat? but i bet you had your steak, didn't you? it's not just the preacher who's supposed to uphold the standard. if you are a Christian, you have that same standard to uphold.
Name: Gurlfrand
Comment: >MissE - do not cast your pearls.....
Name: MissE
Comment: advice taken Gurlfrand.
Name: queeniebunz
Comment: >Ms. E – wow. You have GOT to be one of Creflo’s peeps or maybe Long's. Do you start every sentence about religion with "Bishop said" or "Creflow said"...? You are so deluded! And in reference to “Purpose Driven Life” not being based on Scripture – you have got to be kidding me! The back of the book gives all of the Scripture references! There are so many it has a separate section for all of them! You clearly believe all the foolishness these prosperity ministers put out there. Maybe you have to believe it for survival but jeez – you need to get under a real minister because all that wealth stuff is just not good. True wealth is living for Christ, not Benjamin. And, another thing – you need to look at the parables. There is the one about the man who refused to set down his wealth and follow. There is the other scripture about it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get into heaven…do you wonder why that is? Greed leads people to do ugly things, Ms. E. You know, like fleece a bunch of vulnerable poor people by giving them pipe dreams that only line YOUR pockets. You really need a clue because you evidently aren’t reading the same Bible that everyone else is on here that doesn’t agree w/you, either.
Name: Renegade
Comment: the only SWINE here is the person who cannot complete her statement!
Name: Renegade
Comment: meaning Gurlfrand.
Name: MissE
Comment: wait, just one more thing. kufhu, apparently you ARE wrong. apparently you are the biggest hypocrit on this board. didn't like that did you? don't judge me, cause you'll get judged by the same measure. and don't start cutting and pasting scriptures unless you gonna live by them.
Name: Renegade
Comment: Co-Sign queeniebunz.
Name: Gurlfrand
Comment: Your a graduate of Yale, you complete it.
Name: oldsoul
Comment: Hey, free will is free will and if that's what these "ministers" choose to do while others choose to follow, then so be it. Is it cool? No, not imo. Is it wrong? Wrong for who? See, for a long while I wondered how these "ministers" could profess a certain thing and do another that "seemed" to contrast what they professed. Well, after learning what's really going on, what The Source is really all about, and where It is, it made sense that people can mislead others and feel no remorse. I definitely don't agree but I do see. Maybe this will cause some of the people who feel they need spiritual middle-men to find favor in the eyes of God (which doesn't make a lot of sense) to dig deeper and discover that ALL the power they could ever even fathom is right there with them, in them already...always has been and will Be. The task is just tapping into it. If they told you that, then the church would become "almost" obsolete forcing them to find a new hustle.
Name: MissE
Comment: queenie, no i'm not a peeps of anybody. i clearly believe in the Word of God for my survival. so do you think all Christians should be poor? do you think that all rich people are going to hell? does true wealth mean you have to live in an ordinary house, drive an ordinary car, have 9-5 job, eat potted meat instead of steak. when it comes to the "fruit" of these ministries, do you see any "bad fruit" when it comes to people being saved, lives being changed, communities being restored? name me something, just one thing. but before you do, ask yourself what are you doing.
Name: Renegade
Comment: It's You're. Not Your. EDUCATION!!!!!
Name: queeniebunz
Comment: >Ms E - I'm going to put it like this. Remember the whole "WWJD?" craze? Well think really hard about it. Would Jesus sit in a mansion, ride around in Bentley, travel in a private jet, wear $5000 suits, vacation in the islands on the church's dime, hide behind nonprofit status to avoid taxes, appear in a rap video (Creflo), etc, etc.?????? Nah, didn't think so. So before you come at anyone with the nonsense you are talking check yourself and check your Bible. "Abundant life" means a life filled with Christ and His teachings. It DOES NOT mean rolling in the dough. And, to answer your question, God does not mean for us to all be poor. But you have to get your definition of "Poor" right. Who is "richer"? The woman on a fixed income who donates to charity, helps the homeless, takes care of her family and worships God daily OR the minister living in a mansion, rolling in the Bentley, wearing the $5000 suits, etc. and deluding his flock??? There is wealth in doing the right thing and truly following Christ that has nothing to do with money. Who is actually working for Christ between the two? We both know the answer but can you admit it????
Name: queeniebunz
Comment: >Ms E - and another thing. Your concept of "fruit" is twisted. In the Bible, producing fruit means passing along the gospel to fellow man and getting that person to salvation. It DOES NOT mean being able to buy a McMansion! Get a clue!!!! These ministries are telling people that if you aren't rich, you aren't praying hard enough. These ministries are telling people that "fruit" and "abundance" means a pile of money. Pu-lease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Name: MissE
Comment: why can't a person who is rich donate to charity, helps the homeless, take or of their family, and worship God daily. That's actually what they are doing except you can't see it because the media has you focused on the material things. you can be rich and still do these things. i know that abundantly life does not mean rolling the the dough. it also means having a good mental attitude, good physical health, having a relationship with Christ. you don't have to settle for less just because you're serving Christ. A Christ who owns everything. How can you be broke serving God? My concept of fruit is not twisted. but i think yours is. "And you shall know them by their fruit" and who is them? the one who are for real and the ones who are false. what is fruit? results of your labor. it does not mean passing the Gospel. Even Satan can pass the Gospel.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: he may look like he's living humbly, but you don't know what he's doing with HIS money behind his modest living
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: he may look like he's living humbly, but you don't know what he's doing with HIS money behind his modest living>> And that is the problem with Creflo and Long, etc. They are FLAUNTING thier wealth. Even Joel Osteen who probably has more money than all of them, lives modestly. Did you see his house on 60 minutes? Did you see him playing ball in the backyard with his kids? No. But the MACKDADDY's Long and Dollar the rest of 'em sure love to show just how they are "blessed". Wonder why that is?
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: Miss E, the uproar is not about abundant living but extravagant, abudantly lavish living . . . plus, I am mindful of a comment that khufu made last week about a congreant walking up to a pastor surrounded by bodyguards and getting tasered (don't tase, me bro!) . . . a number of free-will megachurch pastors have lost their way and taken free-will congregations along with them . . . the lavish lifestyles do not convince me that their whole being is focused on GOD . . . the first sentence in Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is "It's not about you."
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: JGGIRL, you and others have said it many times over, it's the appearance of the mack daddy lifestyle that is so galling . . . people may not want to accept the gangsta or pimp on the block but they flock to the gangsta or pimp in the pulpit and beat a person down with scripture if the person observes that the person in the pulpit is the same as the person out on the block
Name: MissE
Comment: jggirl, yep, that's what they SHOWED you. i'm sure creflo and long spend time with their family but they only SHOW you their house and their cars the media is FLAUNTING their wealth. i'm sure joel or rick are not riding in chevys nor do they wear cheap suits on sundays. creflo's car was a GIFT. the same way these little churches have pastor's anniversaries for their "little" pastor, and raise a few hundred dollars on chicken and fish plates so they can give them a gift, its the same thing, just on a larger scale.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: MissE, THEY don't have to show me anything on TV about Dollar and Long. I live in Atlanta and have seen with my own eyes what they have. And I'd rather listen to that "little" pastor any day than the "fake" prosperity preaching of the almight Dollars.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: And as for Joel Olsteen wearing expensive suits, I watch him every Sunday and I can't tell. But I can SURE tell with Creflo.
Name: MissE
Comment: wow, you can listen to him EVERY sunday? my hat's off to you. btw, isn't he teaching that same prosperity gospel? oh, wait he only refers to the bible at the beginning of his sermon right before he tells those corny jokes. anyway, i'm through. in due time the wheat and tares will be separated. in the meantime, may the peace of God which passes all understanding be with you all. may you prosper (oops did i say a bad word?) and be in good health, even as your soul doth p_o_sp_ _.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: It was said that why not go after all mega preachers? Well it may not be necessary to go after all IF all are not doing wrong. You see people the senate is not going after them for having all this stuff if they attained it properly. You see others like Duplantis, Copeland, the Hagins, the Savelles, have been rich a long time. What we fail to realize is is that these are white folk. They spend there money different than we do. Just look on MTV Cribs there are some rich white folk that they interview but their houses are plain, 1 or 2 cars a truck and a motorcyle. US! We have gold ceilings, diamond water faucetts, marble toilet paper holders which shows that we have money. Preachers are the same, see we have to keep in mind that some of these people are into real estate, investments, IRA's, time shares stuff which retain value. We ignan't black folk would spend 300,000 on a car and now 300,000 on teeth, and bracelets and diamond crusted cell phones and NO LIFE INSURANCE. No retirement why because most of us live in the now. Not all MEGA preachers are riding dirty or flamboyant some have real businesses outside of their church.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: Things have gotten ridiculous! You see Fiddy, Diddy, Dre, Gotti and all the rest are doing what unsaved people do. Party, drink, club, strip clubs, screw, snort, smoke and whatever else which is perfectly fine. But when you say you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ there is a mandated standard by which we are to live by. The bible speaks clearly about money and the abuse of it, the love of it, the greed for it. As ministers these people are not suppose to make the gospel of Jesus into the lotto. That's the reason Jesus himself went through and turned the money tables over in the temple and made the profound statment "My Fathers house is to be called the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves". Instead of making sure they tell people the truth about the word, instead they make people feel that if you just give you're eternally secure which is a LIE! Now if ya'll wanna know what the problem is THAT IS IT! Jesus said man can not serve two masters either he hate the one, and love the other, Man can not serve God and MAMMON which is defined as MONEY! Ministers that carry the pure and true gospel of Jesus Christ should be blessed but they are suppose to make sure that they bless others. Jesus fed people, healed people, provided security for people and ultimately gave his own life for people. The Mega star preachers today you can't even shake their hand, get a hug or a phone call. That's why things are starting to happen, Fret not God is just being God, he turned the tables over in the first temple now he's turning them over TODAY. Please remember good people the bible is clear Jesus is the same "yesterday, today and forever more". I know folk don't want to believe it but though GOD is the epitome of love, compassion, tenderness and all that mushy stuff. I think we need to read revelations that says that HE IS THE LION AND THE LAMB! Don't get it twisted God is God whether folk believe HIM or not.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: To me they need to suck it up and quit whining. They wanted MEGA STAR status, they're on every station and news stand, well the world is just doing to them what they do to Britney, Michael, O.J., Lindsay, Oprah and all the other stars LOOK AT THEM. Isn't that what we do at night stars that shine so bright we look up at them, well they wanted to blend in with the world, have their bling, be in their video's and be affirmed by them so they have to be scrutinized by them. Jesus never endorses flamboyance, flashiness, blinging. God never meant for his name or his church to represented by HOLLYWOOD. Slowly but surely God is going to get HIS church back to it's true meaning and recognizing that He's still alive and well. He's going to prove to the world that the doings of some of these preachers were not endorsed or approved by HIM. I don't wish bad on anyone but it's just like the movie I just saw AMERICAN GANGSTER. Ray Lucas was basically nice, a giving person, took care of his momma and his brothers, nice to waitresses etc BUT! he was selling dope, killing people and some in cold blood, and even though the movie portrayed him as a basically nice person making a name for himself on the streets HE STILL HAD TO GET CAUGHT AND GO TO JAIL.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: I've never heard Joel preach about money. He preaches hope and positiveness.Hee does use the Bible in his sermons and I can UNDERSTAND his words.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: I'm sorry ya'll it's one thing to give freely and I know you're taking my money, but it's a whole seperate thing to trick people and lie to them telling them that if they give to them certain things will happen THAT IS WRONG! The love of Jesus Christ and His Father is FREE, Healing and deliverance is FREE. That's why Jesus died for our sin and our sicknesses. Paul, Peter, the Apostles or Jesus never said you have to give me an offering and then i'll forgive your sins, or heal your child, or raise your brother from the dead. Unfortunately our people REFUSE TO THINK! it's almost not the preachers fault because we or misinformed people continue to support them, all because they are looking for something. WOW!
Name: jdubya41
Comment: JGGIRL: You are right he does not talk about money, but he does not present the WHOLE bible. People need to know that they can't live with each other and not be married, or beating their wives and just smiling about it, living contrary to the what the word says. He just gives one side of the bible which is dangerous in and of itself. He doesn't talk about SIN, HELL, DELIVERANCE, THE HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVEN which is still in the bible, there is more to God than just a joke a smile and illustration about him and Victoria. LOL!
Name: MissE
Comment: ok jdubya, i thought i was through....please go and read Malachi, where all this confusion is coming from in the first place. this is the one verse in the whole bible where God challenges you. this how you know that He will keep His word. he challenges us by saying "TRY ME AND SEE" give me 10 percent, and see won't i open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a bleesing that you won't have room enough to receive. God asks us for just 10 measley percent. And yes salvation is free but there's definitely a cost you have to pay to keep it. God is not a man that He should lie. He does tell us that if we do this, then He'll do that. It's a two way thing. His promsises are true but you have to do your part. It's called "covenant."
Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: MissE: Jesus' life sacrifice was the new covenant and the old sacrifices were no longer required. People no longer sacrificed animals to God, and tithing a certain percentage was one of the things no longer required as well. Give Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s yes. However, it does NOT have to be 10% of one’s gross annual income. It has to be what one can afford to give. God does not expect you to go hungry or broke so you can tithe to a preacher/church. He expects you to give from your heart, what you can genuinely afford to give. People think they can buy their way into God’s good graces. And of course these preachers PUSH, PUSH, PUSH tithing (because it lines their pockets and they know most people DO NOT read the bible themselves). However, if you would read the bible for yourself, you would know that Jesus’ blood/life sacrifice ended tithing as well as other sacrifices the Israelites had to do (all decrees and documents stating so). Please read: Colossians 2:13, 14; Ephesians 2:13-15; Hebrews 7:5, 1
Name: MissE
Comment: My,my,my, so you're one of those who believe that since Jesus came and died the old testament is no longer relevant? He didn't come to abolish the law but to fulfill. Yes, he is the ultimate sacrifice but the law of Moses is still relevant, he just summed it all up into the golden rule. Tithing is not about giving to the preacher or the church its about giving to God. why can't people understand that? and no, he doesn't expect you to go hungry, if you tithe he already told you he give you more than what you need. please show me where it says God wants us to give him what we can afford. all He asks for is one dime out of a dollar and you keep 90 cents. come on now.
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: I just want one of those preachers to tell me what the Bible means when it says that it is easier for a camel to go thru the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. If they can pick and choose verses from the Bible to justify their prosperity preaching then I (and Joel) can pick out the ones that preach hope, love and peace. There is enough hell and damnation and suffering right here on earth and I don't need somebody beating it into me every Sunday while scaring me into empting my bank account.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: Good morning I don't know if ya'll will read this but hey just in case. MissE,Bad Kitty, Jggirl: This is what has to be stopped now I don't argue with God about tithing nor people but what I do believe this and watch me close here; I agree that God required 10% but we don't have to give 10% in order to stay SAVED. That my friend is error, Giving is not our COVENANT is something we do because we have a covenant. Now as far as the curse goes I agree that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law the text says "for what the LAW could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sent his son in he likeness of sinful flesh and condemned SIN in the flesh" The point is we don't live under the law therefore what we do/give etc should be done out of love and willingness. The scripture declares in I Corinthians that we are not to give grudgingly, or of necessity but God loves a cheerful giver. One that does what he does because he wants to. When one gets married you pay for license, the wedding and other expenses but you don't have to keep paying your wife to stay with you. Do you give her money, take care of her, provide love, home care and concern YES! but you continue to do it because you love her and feels that she deserves a wonderful that I as a MAN can provide. Now that we are under the new covenant our entire walk has to do with OUR faithfulness and commitment to HIM.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: JGGIRL: I understand your thoughts but they just need to be reconsidered. That type of thinking is what causes people to misinformed about truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ is BALANCED. That's why he is called the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH and THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN. It's not about beating you down and scaring you about hell, but the same bible declares how can you hear without a preacher. You know why because somewhere in your mind you may feel like snorting cocaine is okay, or living with your man and never get married is okay or not giving to God properly is okay, or not having faith, or cussing out people is okay or whatever. You have to have someone to say hey JGIRL that's not the best, or that's not wise God is not pleased with that. That JGIRL to me is the problem with your friend Joel and I still say it's error because it's not complete. NO ONE should pick and choose out of GOD's word what they like to appease people's desires. Please if you would read 2 Timothy chapters 3 & 4 and it will tell you that the time is coming and it's here now that people will heap to themselves teachers that will teach them WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR and not endure sound doctrine.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: People usually like the easy going you're okay, we're all happy kind of gospel not because there's so much hell on earth. It's usually because people like doing what they do without anyone questioning them or anyone confronting their doings. We live in a majorly REBELLIOUS ERA and from women, children, gays, murderers, pedophiles, rapists and just MAN period all just want to do what they feel they should have the so-called right to do. (Please lem'me explain before you jump off on me) Why has divorce numbers increased because people are trying to redefine and rewrite what has been written. God tells us how marriage is suppose to be and with whom, but we don't like that women say they should be in charge and the gays say they can marry each other. Someone has to say just simply what's written in it's proper context. It says children OBEY you parents and it tell parents how to deal and raise their children but now the kids feel they have rights at 12 and the parents rather allow Dr. Phil, Oprah and society tell us what to do instead of going with what's written. That's all I'm saying God created us and if we want to know TRUTH he's provided us with HIS truth but we want to change that into what good for us so that way we don't have to be accountable.
Name: WillyBobo
Comment: MALACHI WAS SPEAKING TO THE PRIESTS NOT THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!...the priests were robbing...a very similar situation to whats going on today...go back and read Malachi from beginning to end....i wish people would stop picking that book apart....read it in context...there are no blessings and curses attached to tithes.....those blessings and curses were only applicable to the Hebrews/Jews....you think that the tithe was 10%.....it was actually closer to 23.3%....there were two annual tithes of 10 percent each and a third tithe every third year...and the tithe was not money..the poor, widows, and homeless did not tithe...actually the tithe was to help them out along with the Levites....the Levites recieved part of the tithe because they didnt inherit any land...Preachers are not the modern day Levites...that priesthood is dead...Jesus is the high priest now...None of the apostles enforced the tithe.....Christians are under grace, not the Law(Romans 6:14)...if you're a tithe keeper(because you want the blessings not because you feel the Holy Spirit telling you to do it), you better be keeping the WHOLE LAW!
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: See why I'd rather listen to Joel? People can't even agree on what the Bible is actually saying. Too much interpretation. After living for over 50 years, being married to the SAME person for over 30, raising two kids and putting them through college, giving to countless churches and charities, listening to thousands of sermons, I know the difference between right and wrong. And all of this preaching doesn't seem to be having any effect on the world. Things are getting worse instead of better. So I choose to listen to hope and joy while the prosperity preachers get people excited about getting rich instead of the church's real purpose - bringing souls to Christ and helping the poor, sick and downtrodden.
Name: queeniebunz
Comment: jdubya41 - I have to agree with you on a lot of points. I look at God like this. We call God our Father. Parents discipline and teach us. The Bible is supposed to be a guidebook for our lives. Life isn't always flowers and sunshine so I agree that we need to be educated spiritually about the bad as well as the good that God promises. I will say that Osteen has said in an interview I saw on 60 minutes that he acknowledges that he doesn't go in depth in his teaching. I will also say that I believe his purpose is to be somewhat of a "hook" to pull people in so they can find a local church and get more extensive teaching there. As for tithing, I believe it is for the upkeep of the church. It is to keep the ministry going. These mega pastors take it way too far. Upkeep does not mean Bentleys, jets, fat cribs, etc. It means when you tithe, you are financing ministry, missionary work, Bible study, Christian education, building upkeep, salaries for church employees, etc. Any church that is secretive about their finances is suspect. Any church that has a pastor living large while his congregation is on welfare, section 8, independence cards, homeless, etc. is suspect. A pastor who can stand up there in a $1000+ suit while his church is wearing little more than rags, hand-me-downs, etc. is not someone I want to learn anything from. When I lived in Atlanta, I knew a lady from Creflo's flock. She was barely keeping her head above water but was "sowing" money into that church and it just made me shake my head. She didn't even have enough to take care of her children but was giving money to him and I am sure he didn't even know she existed. My pastor knows me by name, I and everyone else can reach him via e-mail and he answers them, and he speaks every Sunday to everyone who walks by. That is what a pastor is supposed to do. I have stopped trying to figure out why these mega churches even exist. God allows it so I kind of leave it alone. I know I watch a few of them. I love Charles Stanley. He does the in depth teaching. I watch TD Jakes and Osteen occasionally. I can't really get into Meyers. I turn as quickly as I can if I see Creflo. The one I really like also is the John A Cherry II of from From the Heart Ministries. He comes on BET on Tuesday mornings at 8am and on Sunday mornings on channel 9, (DC area).
Name: jdubya41
Comment: Now you know I wasn't going to go here because most people don't understand but it's just good conversation: Before I say that let me say this to JGIRL, If we read what's been posted I don't think we are disagreeing about the text I think it's being suggested to read and rightly divide the word of truth. Tithing is something that you have to search the word thouroughly about and get divine understanding of. I agree partially with WBOBO concerning the OT Levites. The only thing we have to keep in mind is that Jesus came after the order of Melchisedek and HE IS our HIGH PRIEST forever, but let's not forget the WE are to live as "a peculiar people, a holy nation, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD". Now I agree that the preachers of today has taken the text on totally abused it, and thus we have this major spiritual epedimic if you will going on now.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: NOW: I think the problem is not only the issue of recieving tithes or things like that, the thing is and this is going to be RAW NAKED TRUTH (hope ya'll don't get mad). The problem is like I said in an earlier post, it's about status and the abuse thereof. You see most of these preachers have gotten away from what Jesus and the Apostles and the bible says about trying to get rich. Most of them wouldn't have what they have if it wasn't for the church, you see their cars, houses, jewelry, property and all other %*$ests come thru the status they recieved through their particular ministries. You see they are 501(c)3 which means they don't PAY TAXES on the things they get. The majority of them had BAD CREDIT, NO MONEY, NO REAL JOB, NO PROPERTY AND SOME NOT EVEN A CAR when they started their ministries. The problem happens when they found out that they could get all of these lavish things through the incoporation of the ministry EXEMPT STATUS, and this my friends is where the real issues lies. Let's not get it twisted here let's keep it BALANCED. There are very clear scriptures IN THE NEW TESTAMENT that endorses, authorizes, and approves ministers living by the life of gospel preaching, but God/Jesus/ and the Apostles never agreed or approved ABUSE. Like I think Quinnie wrote THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO GET FAT AND GREASY AND THE PEOPLE STARVE AND GO WITHOUT. If you go back and read the book of ACTS and study the life of Jesus the text reads in Acts chapter 2-4 it was about the people. The bible declares that the people sold what they had (posessions they owned voluntarily) and gave it to the Apostles and THEY DISTRIBUTED TO EVERYONE SUCH AS HAVE NEED AND NONE NONE NONE WENT LACKING! They made sure everyone was fed, comfortable, and provided for.. HERE MY FRIENDS TO ME IS THE PROBLEM! Holla back, watcha think
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: I completely agree with you Jdub. One of Eddie's members told me this past weekend that he has every right to be wealthy just like anyone else. True. But his wealth has come through being a minister of that church. His books, tapes, speaking engagements, etc. are a direct result of him being the pastor of that megachurch. Isn't his corporation BELL Ministries still a non-profit? So anything that he buys with HIS money, even though it is separate from the church's money is still thru a non-profit.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: Exactly the real issue is what were these men before becoming Mega? Most were teachers, social workers, tellers, bankers, housewives, mill workers which in those careers I doubt if they would be able to purchase $4 million dollar houses, and $350,000 cars. The thing that has caused them problems today is that they have used their EXEMPT STATUS, 501(c)3 which excludes them from paying taxes. Which means true ministry work, purchasing food to feed the hungry not take other MEGA preachers to 7 star restaurants and run up $2000 meals and and showing off by leaving $2 & 300 dollar tips. You're suppose to purchase bibles for the incarcerated, buy buses to pick up the elderly and so on not go and get you and all your children BMW"s and HUMMERs in the churchs name. That JGIRL is what the Father is upset with. The gospel of Jesus Christ and SALVATION is free it costs you YOUR life (your desires, carnality, fleshly lusts, etc) and faithfulness to him. Pastors should be blessed by leading by example but to show and bring the people into the same level of prosperity that you have attained. If the preacher gets a Mercedes then he/she should show me how to get one and keep one. That's all I'm saying for real.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: Now it's like this let's say you're a RN and you decide to write a book, or you sing a little on the side. Well when you publish your book that's YOUR BOOK and YOUR COPYRIGHT on that book which means you're entitled to what they call royaltys which are paid quarterly. Now NO ONE at the hospital can say anything if your book blows up and you go buy yourself a Jaguar and move into a $500,000 house. But now the hospital can front you when you go have taken the expense account that was given to you for purchasing needles, gauzes, blood pressure cups and they found out that you bought a ROLEX watch with the money that was entrusted to you through the hospitals account. I don't care how long you been there, who your daddy is and nothing else THAT'S ILLEGAL AND MOST LIKELY YOU'RE GOING TO JAIL...LOL. So the government says because you're a minister and it is the church we will EXCUSE your from paying taxes for this reason, because is suppose to be a separation between church and state.
Name: jdubya41
Comment: That's why its an insult to Jesus to say that your money is your COVENANT CONNECTION. His death on the cross was/is the payment. There is nothing that we could have done to satisfy the debt that was owed. If we tithe we do it out of our heart and not from pressure.
Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: AMEN to jdubya41: If we tithe we do it out of our heart and not from pressure. --- & --- AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!! jazzfan: don't care how much charity work he can point to, if y'all want to follow these fools who drive Bentleys and live a multi-millionaire lifestyle while people around them starve, if you REALLY think that's would Jesus would do, then you go right ahead! One more time... AMEN!
Back to Top
Click here to post your comments.

Back to the Article » Click Here
...
Home
Return to Top
Back to Top