I do not know, but if he belongs to God more power to him! |
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---catherine on 4/29/08 |
The saying the "Love of money is the root of all evil," holds more true today than ever. A bunch of people coveting how much some preacher makes. I have found amoung 'christians' at least that the poor seem to love money much more than their rich counterparts. Most wealthy give much more as a % than others. They also don't seem obsessed with it, or worry who has more. |
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---dan on 4/29/08 |
A curious question ...if you attend Joel's church and you're more concerned about his salary then the message I would say it's time to switch churches
if you don't attend his church why would it matter??
The point isn't really what he makes it's that most won't even make what he pays in taxes every year (avg salary in US is approx $45k yr)
for many that is their sin ...they're focusing on other people and their money ...focus is judging and condemning |
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---Rhonda on 4/28/08 |
200000 a yea |
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---robert on 4/28/08 |
Tithing is not to the Church or to the pastor, it is a love offering to Christ that transends and predates the Levitical Law. Witholding your love (tithe) to Christ just because you want to make a point. Wow |
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---David on 2/4/08 |
I read in a magazine that he makes 200,000 a year, but since his book has done so well he has refused the salary. |
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---Mark_Randall on 1/25/08 |
When people talk about the degradation and moral decay of this country, most of the time I go, "oh, sure." But excessive profits in general, the excessive wealth of a few, the proverty of many, and the struggle to just survive of most, tells me this country has lost its moral compass. And no one needs a Bible to see that.
Profiteer preachers in this regard use religion just as another vehicle to make money. |
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---matthew on 11/1/07 |
Thank You Robyn! god's people should be aware of how the gospel is being preached bec. the bible can be perverted like the teachings of Balaam. that is why christ was angry at the pharisee bec they put people in bondage, create stumbling blocks & put weight on their shoulders. |
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---jim on 11/1/07 |
We all need to understand a fact: it is not the church that is at fault. It is the leaders who run these churches. They are greedy fat cats who fleece God's people. They want much and give very little back to the people who follow them. They are the only ones who reap the benefits. They become rich and have need of nothing, while the poor goes without. |
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---Robyn on 11/1/07 |
to sue - there is a good essay about the tithe in the internet. type 'god for profit' and click the title 'Malachi 3-how they mis-interpreted tithes & offerings' the person explains who REALLY is robbing god, it is the priest that is described in this one. |
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---jim on 11/1/07 |
Another reason i dont like religion. My son has a friend who lost his job. This friend is Catholic, although the type of religion doesn't matter, he faithfully gave the church 10%, 20% sometimes more. When he needed help with house payment the church said NO because if they helped him they'd have to help everyone who asked. Needless to say he stopped going to church and I hope his faith in God is not lost. My opinion: The Catholic church will never go broke helping poor people who truly need it. |
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---sue on 11/1/07 |
Joel Osteen is filthy rich and does not need anymore money in this life or the next to come. I live in Houston. He has said he does not take a salary from the church anymore. He has been on talk shows promoting his books and talking about his salary. |
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---Robyn on 11/1/07 |
I have seen pastors ignore the poor when they join a church. So folks, try this on for size- I tithe to the Voice of the Martyrs monthly, and any church I visit isn't going to be able to size me up for tithes, because unless a pastor proves him/herself true and earns my trust, they are not going to see a nickle from me. If Jesus isn't there, neither am I. |
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---Aggie on 10/31/07 |
Christ DID NOT charge the people one cent when he was preaching the gospel! He did not store treasures on earth! Stop justifying your sins! Stop justifying your love of money! god commanded us to work, improve one's skills not to pervert & exploit the bible! Paul said the he did not peddle the gospel for profit! |
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---jim on 10/30/07 |
I asked a pastor about self-confidence he told me-SIN- middle of sin is I, yet he has a fancy car & has a house.HE IS A HYPOCRITE-he does not practice what he preach.I is a sin yet he caters, decides, thinks for himSELF! Get a job pastors so you can understands the hell we exper at work - politics, overworked, underpaid-yet pastors rake in thousands of $$! tithe is to give for the poor, not into the pockets of pastors,then you pastors are so arrogant, self-righteous! |
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---kai on 10/30/07 |
Lori: Note in my earlier post that I said Warren's 10% is going to be alot. But, remember he is giving away the other 80%. A greedier person in the same position might be doing the opposite and living on the 80% and giving away the 10%. |
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---TT on 8/17/07 |
TT . . . thanks for your post. When Rick Warren's book was so successful, he also paid back all the years of salary that his church had paid him! That had to be a substantial amount. I believe he is a man of integrity and certainly is not doing anything that could even be remotely called "fleecing the sheep." |
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---Gena8493 on 8/17/07 |
TT: I understand what you are saying, but as a writer and published author myself, I wouldn't need money if I was a pastor either. J.K. Rowling made 3 billion dollars from writing Harry Potter. ten percent of that is 300 million dollars. of course Warren tells others he only lives on ten percent. if you make a million a year, what difference does a salary of 50,000 make. nothing, it is small change. don't let appearances deceive you or overlook what is hidden from your view. |
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---Lori on 8/17/07 |
Read Pastor Rick Warren's, Purpose Driven Life. He no longer takes a salary from his church, yet continues to preach and lives on just 10 percent of the income from his books. Even after achieving int'l fame, he did not change his lifestyle one bit. Yes, his 10percent is probably alot, but I think it says alot about him as a man of God. |
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---TT on 8/16/07 |
andrea. read the posts. men have profited from the blood of Jesus Christ and that is all it is. greed and power. ask them to work for God for nothing and they would quit instantly. they are being paid. they are on call 24-7 seven days a week for members of the congregation to call them with problems. if they say differently they should be fired instantly. leading a church is a lot more than giving two sermons on sunday. |
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---Lori on 8/16/07 |
lori - again I challenge that - I think most preachers are righteous - not all -but most-what we see on tbn is Christian celebrities. I don't judge I think they are subject to far more temptation then I will ever be - I just don't like the cross being sold - if what they have is so good - why are they not giving to the poor? |
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---Andrea on 8/16/07 |
Pastor_Steven: I totally agree with you. No problem. I have brother in laws and other relatives who pastor churches in the Houston area. Friends and so forth. My own father was a pastor here in Houston. They live well. They drive nice cars and live in nice homes. Some of them hold jobs and some do not but they all receive salaries from their churches. I don't agree with their doctrines and teachings but I don't despise anyone for how they live,however. That is their business. |
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---Robyn on 8/16/07 |
My thing is: the begging for money for the few crumbs(scriptures) they throw at you and then make you feel guilty if you don't give what they feel you should in the church offering. The sermons are not great, they show very little love to their congregants and then they want to know why people don't give or come to church. Hardly any altar calls or revivals offered at the churches anymore. Too much entertainment and no real worship and praise. |
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---Robyn on 8/16/07 |
andrea: that is the sad part about our world today. instead of loving Jesus Christ and everything he stands for, men take it upon themselves to profit from his sacrifice. they couldn't care less about our goals, ambitions and desires to serve God. 99 percent of men figure Jesus owes them a living to follow him when they start their own church. they will work hard to get people, preaching what they want to hear, even though most of it is false and then sit back to rake in the cash and benefits. |
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---Lori on 8/16/07 |
Lori - I'm not going to say this is not truthful - I'm just suggesting that it is an EXAGERATION!
I hate the $$ tv preachers, but my Pastor gave up a lucrative career to pastor a small 150 congregation. There are many men and woman who sacrifice and work hard in emotionally draining positions in the church for less then they would make in the world. |
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---Andrea on 8/15/07 |
Robyn, Thats awesome that you support smaller churches and that you are being fed the word of God probably with a more traditional style preaching.Great! Thats why there needs to be both big and small, something for everybody. But I also don't understand why if a pastor does have a large church, nice house and nice car. Why he should get so much hell about it from other christians. Thank God for what you have and live your life, as it pleases God, and Move on. |
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---Pastor_Steven on 8/15/07 |
people here are so gullible if they really believe men give back any of the millions they rake in from people who can least afford it. look into the lives of all the evangelists of large churches and television. they made millions. Jesus said do not preach for filty lucre. does anyone listen to him, NO. they are only serving God for greed and power, nothing else. 99 percent of men running churches would quit instantly if they stopped being paid and had to serve God out of their own pockets. |
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---Lori on 8/14/07 |
con't. I have spoken to thousands of ministers of all churches. they told me the same thing. they worked hard building congregations so they could enjoy luxuries in life that a real job wouldn't give them. how dare I try to take money from their swiss bank accounts. do they lead the church because they want to lead people to God. NO. they only do it for the money, power and prestige it gives them in the eyes of other men. FACT. many can dispute it all they like, but it doesn't altar the truth one iota. |
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---Lori on 8/14/07 |
I'm not sure, but I'm glad to see God bless pastors with money. If they abuse the blessing, it always seems to catch up with them. If they bless with the blessing, it will catch up to them also ... as another blessing :) |
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---Paul on 8/14/07 |
Pastor_Steven: I live in Houston.Not interested in Lakewood. I would rather support smaller churches who are doing Kingdom work. Joel's daddy did not build this conglomerate alone. I don't judge anyone for what they do. But one thing I can tell you is: they don't live in the area of Houston that I live in and does not tool around in a Volkswagen. Lakewood is a good church I am sure. But Joel is not the type of pastor I need. I need more than a pat on the head(spiritually) and a speech on Sunday. |
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---Robyn on 8/14/07 |
Mrs. Marilyn, I didn't get what your point was here. Yes the Osteens have been well off due to Pastor Jon Osteens hard work and faithfulness to the Kingdom and now Joel is doing the same thing. The point behind his giving is he is not taking his available salary and buying houses in the Hamptons or Beverly Hills he's not driving around Houston in a $500,000 Mibach or Rolls Royce. He's sowing in back to the church. Which is why he is being blessed. |
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---Pastor_Steven on 8/14/07 |
"You mean to tell me if you worked as hard as Joel does in running and operating a church of 20,000 and writing books, book tours and speaking engagments."
In point of fact, most pastors do not write the books--they simply have their name on them--someone else did the actual writing. And there's been a lot of plagiarism back-and-forth. |
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---David on 8/11/07 |
Its not about the letters behind a name. Joel motivates and God uses that.
Its good to look at public figures and we should call them to account, but look at what God uses. Oh the foolishness of God confounds all the wisdom of men.
I'm always surprised at how many of Joels stories are applicable to real life and I'm not a fan. |
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---Andrea on 8/11/07 |
Pastor_Steve: I think the Osteen Family was wealthy before his daddy died. The elder Osteen worked over 50 years to build the membership. It has increased since his death. As for Joel Osteen paying tithes. I would pay tithes,also. The monies are coming right back to him and his family. Why not pay tithes? He is getting his money back, basically. I have seen preachers give offerings back to a church, especially when they did not need it. The church could have been small and struggling. |
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---Marilyn on 8/11/07 |
The sad thing Wally is that the Lord could desire to release that kind of authority and wealth in your life but you can't receive it because it points the finger back at you. Every idle word is judged and judgment is without mercy to them who show no mercy. |
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---Linda on 8/10/07 |
Sounds like jealousy to me Wally. You mean to tell me if you worked as hard as Joel does in running and operating a church of 20,000 and writing books, book tours and speaking engagments. You wouldn't take a salary like his. AND what you failed to read or what the MEDIA failed to report is Pastor Joel tithes 100% of his church salary back to the church and lives off of book royalties. He's not even my Pastor but I repect his offices and calling on his life. |
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---Pastor_Steven on 8/10/07 |
According to a documetary aired on 20/20 with John Stossle, and read in a another news article, JOEL OSTEEN MADE APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION in 2006. That's $60,000,000.00 to read you parts of the bible and tell you stories about his grandma and grandpa's dog. NUFF SAID. |
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---Wally on 8/9/07 |
I know this is an old blog, but i found it interesting that Aaron said that Pastor Joel never attended Bible College or a Seminary class yet the fact is he is a gradute of Oral Roberts University. And as apart of our pre-requisite you must take Theology courses. Do your research first then speak. |
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---Steven on 8/7/07 |
I could care less what Joel Osteen's salary is. He is rich or very wealthy. I could easily find out this info but I don't care. Lakewood Church is big business. His daddy found the church and he took over when Daddy died. Do you think they were going to let someone else come in and reap all the benefits, from what Daddy took 50 years to build. Hahahahahaaaaaa! You figure it out!
I bet no one else lives as large as the Osteen's does, at Lakewood. |
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---Robyn on 8/3/07 |
Joel Osteen's church(Lakewood) is the largest church in Houston Texas. Probably anywhere in Texas. I am sure his salary is astronomical/ He is very wealthy, I know. They live very nicely and are not hurting for anything. They recently moved to a multi- million dollar facility(church). It is beautiful and very costly. |
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---Robyn on 8/2/07 |
I would imagine you would have to ask for a yearly financial report to get such info.
The church he pastors is very large, I would imagine he earns a proportionet salary, why do you ask? |
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---NVBarbara on 8/2/07 |
jana, would you please not use textspeak. It's difficult to follow. It may save time. but your answers are more credible/believable without it. |
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---Rob on 2/18/07 |
I'm read Joel doesn't take a salary from the tithes of Lakewood Church. He was already a millionaire before he took over the church from his father.
However, it does get compensated with free advertisement for his book. He made several million off his book and it is still selling strong. |
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---Cory_Goodwin on 2/18/07 |
and may I ask you this AAron, what r u doing for God? have u done much as JO is doing? I find his talk very motivating indeed. If u sit there judging people and wants to know how much they get, then your no christian. If hes not a pastor, then hes doing a mighty good job motivating people who had lost all hope..My brother was one of them and he knows God now thru JO. WHAT HAVE U DONE FOR GOD INDEED..quit minding others business.. |
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---jana on 2/14/07 |
I dont think that you need to go to a bible school or seminary to be a pastor...actually they teach you the religious a part not the relationship part |
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---mark on 2/13/07 |
Jana, You do understand that Joel O is not an ordained preacher. He has never taken a class in theology, or attended a bible school. He went to college for TV marketing. I'm sorry to break this news to you Jana, but Joel O is not a pastor at all. But at least your ready for the rapture, huh? I do agree with Robyn, she said that he Joel O is a motivational speaker and a great one at that. |
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---aaron on 2/13/07 |
Well, John, I understand where you are coming from. The BIBLE does tell us to support our preachers, if ofcourse, they are true men and women of God, and to know this, one has got to be very close to God. And not many people are. |
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---catherine on 2/13/07 |
We aren't to deify men, yet people are worthy of honor. Who are we to decided how much honor people can give to the ministry that is changing their lives? It's ignorant to make statements of people whom we've never met. We throw names out there and we have never been to their local ministry to see what the evidence of their obedience within the spehere of influence they have been assigned to minister in has been. Let's truly stop biting & devouring one another.Let's put our focus back on Him. |
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---John on 2/12/07 |
I heard JO say on a TV interview that he will get one million dollars advance on his new book that's not yet out. |
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---Virginia on 2/8/07 |
Jana: the rapture, bah humbug. And maybe you ought to research on how Christians should judge each other, you'll be surprised. |
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---Steveng on 2/3/07 |
obyn, whom r we to judge God's ordained preachers? whom r we 2 judge whom God has given to preach? its noone's business what Joel O gets. your main concern should be "R u getting spiritual food? n r u ready 4 His coming n r u sure u wont miss out on the rapture? reading thru your statements, u r going 2 miss out. Quit messing around with God's ordained servants |
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---jana on 2/2/07 |
Do you think that any of these mega preachers would give up all that they owned and became street preachers without compensation? |
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---Steveng on 2/2/07 |
I do agree with Mary. The little Word some of these pastors throw ar their congregations is a shame in heaven. What are they being paid for? I think some of these churches make gods out of these pastors. They forget where their focus should be. |
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---robyn on 2/2/07 |
I feel Joel Osteen is not a preacher. He is a motivational speaker/businessman. And not a very good one at that. I can tell a flat joke and stand before people for a few minutes, take a mega offering and live like royalty. Most of us could.Believers need to use common sense and pray asking the Holy Spirit for discernment on these type things.
Love..blessings |
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---robyn on 2/2/07 |
Joel Osteen doesn't take a salary from his church. Zero. He is able to live strictly off the funds from his book sales. Also, he is the biggest tither/giver to Lakewood church. Obviously, there are some preachers who seem to be off in their emphasis, but not all. We don't get mad at the owners of Burger King and Dell computer for having a nice home, car, and bank account. And the reason is that we value what they provide. Christians should value the spiritual food we receive from the preachers. |
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---Chas on 2/2/07 |
There isn't much clear direction in scripture as how much is too much but in my spirit their is direction and becoming really rich off ministry funds and influence is not right. The world sees mega-high salaries as excessive and abusive. The world is who we're teaching to. Kinda hard to impress them if all they see is the cheap promises of riches and if they think any giving to the church is supporting an already rich man's habits. |
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---Chris on 1/4/07 |
If you want to be surprised, look online of what Hagee made in recent years--upwards of 1.3 MILLION. And then there is Hinn..., even worse I think. I think John's revelation of Heaven being laid with gold and jewels is not to impress us, but to show how insignificant these treasures will ultimately become. Where do we put our feet in heaven? On gold. What will line the fences and hedges? Jewels. You figure it out... |
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---Chrsi on 1/4/07 |
All I'm going to say is be careful of who you are speaking out against as some not all but some have been ordained by GOD, and I don't know about you but that's not somthing I would want to mess with. The one thing you must understand is that if you believe and I assume you do then you know they will all be judged by the only one that matters. |
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---Mike on 1/1/07 |
Alan, Paul also didn't have thousands in one meeting either. I don't know what mr. Olsteen's salary is but I don't go to his church so it doesn't really matter to me. it is up to his church, him, and God. those of us outside of that loop have no room to talk. |
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---Jared on 11/27/06 |
Paul had a pretty large ministry ... and made tents to support himself.
He had no grand house
Nor did Jesus for that matter ... in spite of the responsibility He bore |
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---AlanUK_quent5969 on 11/27/06 |
I wouldn't suppose h'es erning millions, but if he were, why is it anybody's business since God has put him in that position, and he is serving God accordingly? |
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---Okebaram on 11/27/06 |
As of 2006, Joel Osteen pastors the largest assembly in America. As such, he should be paid an appropriately high salary to match that responsibility. Jesus spoke of the appropriateness of what is given to a person being in proportion to their responsibility (Lk.12:48). With that in mind, read I Cor.9:7-11 and I Tim. 5:17-18 for further proof compensation matching responsibility. |
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---Harold on 11/27/06 |
this is so frustrating. why is there a distinction? No one should be rich! good for you if you are able to earn good money. More to give away. No one needs more than 100-200 per year, after that give it away. Bankers, salemen, drs, and yes pastors too! |
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---j on 11/12/06 |
Pete,
I am with Allan. Please show us the scriptures that demonstrate that Jesus had two houses. |
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---Bruce5656 on 11/1/06 |
Pete ... No you give us the passage that tells us that. |
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---alan8869_of_UK on 11/1/06 |
Jesus did have place to lay his, in fact he owned two houses. Read the WORD and then comment please............ |
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---Pete on 11/1/06 |
Jesus didnt even have a place to lay his head, and these swindlers make that much money |
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---r.w. on 10/27/06 |
to me i dont have a problem with what a pastor makes a long as the ministry of the church & the peoples needs are met. if they are not then there is a problem . if the pastor is driving a benz or lexus and the church is falling down or the bills are not paid then there is a problem. |
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---dourk on 10/12/06 |
why would you want to know how much Joel Osteen or any pastor for that matter earns? that is noone's business to be asking about it. Mind you own business I may say and your treading on sacred ground. Keep you feet off it. |
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---jana on 9/26/06 |
Joel should be paid as much as he can make since he is not a real pastor and does not preach or teach the gospel |
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---Scott on 8/8/06 |
When the day comes that they cannot buy nor sell these men and those who think that "buddy Jesus" that loves them more than the poor and is willing to go against his very word that says he is no respecter of persons will be the first to take the mark of the beast. Satan has deceived them into lusting after and loving the things of this world. |
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---Frank on 8/8/06 |
It's a crying shame that some preachers make huge salaries while there are poor in the faith. Howl ye rich for your gold is cankered and laid up as a witness against you. Be willing to distribute. It was the rich young man that walked way. Paul, Timothy, Onesimus, the church in Macedonia all had little. Who are these highly esteemed greedy dogs? The common people heard him gladly. One day their pomp and glory and riches will not save them from the wrath to come. |
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---Frank on 8/8/06 |
Joels salary will be decided by a board of directors. So it's none of our business. I'm sure he makes less than the average NHL hockey coach or any NFL coach. What he does with his money is also none of our business. How much money do you make? Would you like to tell us all? And then we can judge you to? |
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---john on 8/8/06 |
If Joel is only paid $200,000.000 a year thats not good news. In my opinion he should be paid much more. The president of WSU makes about $500,000.00 to run a college. We are so caught up in money and not wanting to see people blessed beyond us...we must think about the motive behind this kind of quesitoning. God is in Good and shows favor to those in a covenant relationship with him. |
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---Felecia on 8/8/06 |
Here is a story about a preacher and money.
Once in Barbados I heard a street preacher preaching as I got closer I stop to listen to him.Oh this man was in terrible poverty as bad as I have ever seen, no shoes etc.
So thinking to do good I gave him 40 dollars. What is this for he ask? Well I replied maybe for a meal or shoes or something I said. O.K. he said, but sir the gospel is not for sale. I will never forget that. |
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---mima on 11/10/05 |
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