I read this article today entitled "Joel Osteen's Church Theft Opens Can of Worms". It basically alludes to the fact that the amount of money stolen isn't what should be dropping our jaw, but rather the amount of money Joel's church makes in tithes and offerings each year. After reading multiple comments, it became clear to me that though there is some ignorance on the subject, people are just flat out living in FEAR!
Fear comes in so many shapes and sizes that I can't possibly address them all, but the bottom line remains the same. People are afraid of losing what they have because their trust and stability come from having their material things! The idea of a minister making that much money goes against the very grain of this world's works mentality. How many times have you heard someone say, or have even said yourself, things like "this is my hard earned money" or "I worked hard for that"? NEWS FLASH; the position of pastor is a JOB! Luke 12:48 says to whom much is given, much is required and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Being a minister (any position in the five-fold office) is harder and more challenging with greater responsibility because they're held to a much stricter accountability; the Lord has charged them with leading an entire flock! The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 5 and Luke 10 that Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs. It says a worker deserves his pay; to stay in people's homes and eat and drink what they have and to receive hospitality. Those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel. These aren't my words; this is Holy Scripture.
Fear comes in so many shapes and sizes that I can't possibly address them all, but the bottom line remains the same. People are afraid of losing what they have because their trust and stability come from having their material things! The idea of a minister making that much money goes against the very grain of this world's works mentality. How many times have you heard someone say, or have even said yourself, things like "this is my hard earned money" or "I worked hard for that"? NEWS FLASH; the position of pastor is a JOB! Luke 12:48 says to whom much is given, much is required and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Being a minister (any position in the five-fold office) is harder and more challenging with greater responsibility because they're held to a much stricter accountability; the Lord has charged them with leading an entire flock! The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 5 and Luke 10 that Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs. It says a worker deserves his pay; to stay in people's homes and eat and drink what they have and to receive hospitality. Those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel. These aren't my words; this is Holy Scripture.
Let's take a moment to think about the Billboard Music Awards. Every year they give out fancy statues made of gold to honor the musicians voted best in their industry. These artists who are winning the prestigious awards are filthy rich; you did know that right? Yes, of course you did. You likely purchased one of their albums, watched their videos on CMT or MTV, and you've probably been to a concert a time or two. So why is it that when we see secular music artists living extravagant lives we not only want what they have, but we agree with and support them? Jay Z makes a billion dollars off a new clothing line and everyone goes crazy trying to get a piece of the action! Michael Jordan makes billions off a new shoe and people are killing people to get a pair! Yet when it comes to telling people about how GOOD Jesus is, nobody wants any of it. Why is it that in any other industry people support, encourage, contribute, and strive to have what those people have, but when it comes to worldly success by a Christian trusting the Lord, we scoff and throw hate around as if it's wrong? In fact, believers would be the richest people in the world if they knew who their Daddy really was. "Well don't you know Carissa that there are pastors who are only out to get your money?" Yes, I do know that; the Bible even says that would happen. Another NEWS FLASH: Christians are not the only sect to contain people who are out to get your money. In fact, if you don't have Christ, your ONLY reason for pursuing wealth is to gain wealth. Do you honestly think that the artists who say they want to be the wealthiest of their kind are out to get your heart? No, they want your freakin' MONEY!
I hear so many people complaining that Joel, among others, don't preach the true gospel because if it were true, if God really was this good, people wouldn't be in pain, have bad marriages, be in debt, struggling in the same areas or they would have everything they wanted. That mentality alone is what has you in the position you're in. Let me add that Material wealth is not, nor should it be the goal, but when you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all those things will be added unto you. The gospel is true whether you believe it or not, but it's BECAUSE you DON'T believe it that you're stuck and living with no true purpose! You don't want to do things God's way. You don't want to trust the Lord when He asks you to do something. You don't have faith in multiple areas because you're stubborn and refuse to believe anything other than what the world has taught you. You don't want to go through pain or being uncomfortable. You don't even want to follow the Lord then you blame Him for why your life hasn't changed. Some even pray and ask God to reveal Himself deeper to you; you ask for the spirit of pride to be removed so that you can grow deeper in what Jesus died for you to have, yet when the Lord sends people to answer those prayers, you don't want to listen because your personal experiences have hurt you too badly and it makes you feel better to say "God wanted this to happen". I understand it's hard to receive how good God really is; especially when we've been raised with a works mentality, but it is not God's fault and His gospel IS true. However, it will NOT be true for you if you don't RECEIVE IT! If you don't believe God can and will bless you abundantly financially, you won't have financial abundance. If you don't believe God's will for you is health and healing, then you'll always suffer from sickness. If you don't believe Jesus died for all of your sins; past, present, and future, then you'll constantly feel the need to ask forgiveness when He already gave it to you. If you don't believe God's will for you is to see long life here on this earth then that means you believe weapons formed against you will prosper.
I had my first experience with witnessing this bitter persecution on this topic when I was 13. A family member of mine picked me up from church one evening and saw my pastor getting into his red sports car. At that moment I was personally lashed out at because they were ticked thinking the pastor took money from the church to buy himself a nice car. Even in my stage of ignorance of the gospel, I still thought to myself, "the only reason you're angry is because you're jealous that your car isn't as nice as his".
Admittedly one of the reasons this brings up righteous anger in me is because I too am called by God to the five-fold ministry and I know the overabundant blessings that the Lord has in store for me. It grieves me mightily to see that the enemy has so many believers deceived into believing God is not as good as He says. The problem is that God's children don't WANT to believe that they can have prosperity in material things! They don't want to believe that they can trust the Lord, do what He instructs them and be blessed without having to earn. That's a big pill to swallow when you're mad because you've "worked so hard" all your life. Little children, why will you NOT receive the fact that it can all be YOURS!
Are you listening children of God? You will NEVER have the FULLNESS of what Jesus died for you to have if you hold on to your notion that God doesn't want us to prosper in ALL things; including materially! You will continue to struggle for what you think you want and still feel like something is missing; whereby always being angry at those who DO receive because you'll be jealous, angry, and resentful.
3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in ALL things, and be in health just as your soul prospers." ALL things includes material wealth. Notice it says even as your SOUL prospers. If you aren't willing to allow the Lord to work in you to prosper your soul, do you really have the right to be angry at those who did? Your soul definitely matters MOST, but our God is the God of abundant provision. You have the same opportunities as Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Joseph Prince, T.D. Jakes, and every other believer who is financially rich. Though not everyone is called to preach in that manner, rest assured whatever you're called to, if you're a child of God, prosperity is YOURS. And before you go gettin' heated about "GASP, she's preaching the prosperity gospel!", know this...there is NO such thing as a prosperity gospel. There is only one gospel and it's Jesus Christ. However, would you rather hear a poverty gospel? Do you believe you serve a God who wants us to be in lack? If you do, there are deeper condemnation issues rooted in your heart and I strongly encourage you to take those to the Lord. If you don't, you can never grow beyond what you think YOU are capable of; into receiving ALL that JESUS died for you to have!
When you trust the Lord to do what He asks of you personally, He will bring you to riches beyond your wildest imagination; in health, relationships, self worth, materially, and even financial wealth! WE DO NOT SERVE A GOD OF POVERTY OR MODESTY. He is the creator and owner of all things; His heavens are filled with streets of gold people. Think about that. So stop complaining and being angry and just RECEIVE IT for yourself!!!
RESOURCES
It Can All Be Yours Too
It Can All Be Yours Too
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