Now it seems that the chickens are coming home to roost. The Senate is finally investigating the televangelism racket. Six prominent TV preachers are under scrutiny as to their tax exempt status. Among them Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long.
Senator Grassley, the Iowa Republican, is trying to determine whether or not these ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to evade taxes and shield lavish lifestyles. Interesting that a Republican should lead this effort? Does this signal a turn away from the radical fundamentalists that have been the GOP base for so long?
I eagerly await their findings.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
10 comments:
I have no problem with the Senate checking out these Ministries. But mark my words, when they find nothing wrong. You would hear about it. They won't report "Hey these ministries are on the up and up" NO of course not, they only want to find the dirt on someone, anyone, Elections are come up you know.? Dirt is want America want to read about. It's SAD!! I'm not saying there aren't bad televangelist, evangelists even bad churches out there. The Bible says there will be wolves dressed in Sheep's clothing. If you truly have a RELATIONSHIP with the Lord, He will guide you and show you whom to stay away from, where the Wolves are!! I assure you the wolves are not Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland or Benny Hinn.
GO AHEAD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE BUT YOU WONT FIND ANYTHING.GOD WILL WIN THIS, I PROMISE YOU ALL THAT. LEAVE THESE PEOPLE ALONE. THEY ARE NOT DOING ANY HARM. THEY ARE THE HOPE FOR AMERICA. THEY ARE TELLING THE TRUTH AND IF YOU DONT LIKE IT DONT WATCH IT.
Christian are called to follow Christ not man, however some are called to teach but not to dictate and to preach but not to control the people. These pastors are guilty of both dictating and controlling the people, through tithes and offerings as an act of their faith. These people are being taught that without giving they can not get. But the bible says otherwise!!! ISAIAH 55: verse 1-3. Never is the word of God is to be sold nor the gifts of God to be used for gain. Staten Island, NEW YORK
I sincerely believe God will do just fine in this investigation. This is about human beings, fallible, flawed and vulnerable. America is a great nation, and Christianity is a great religion, and I consider myself both American and Christian, but I have seen up close how some televangelists manipulate their flock and garner huge fortunes. I think that is their right, but if they are running a major corporation that wields political influence and makes them millionaires I think they should pay taxes like the rest of us.
Any Bible beating holier than thous give religion a bad name in general. So arrogant, manipulative, exclusive and judgemental. Churches in general seem to me like "glorified" country clubs that bleed you for money and scare you to death so they can manipulate your life. No wonder so many people are afraid to die because of those bullies who probably know nothing about the real personality of God. More chaos and bloodshed in the world is due to religon. I've noticed some people tend to chose the religion that best suits their personality. I hope they blow the lid off of them all if they are greedy and taking advantage of vulnerable people. When I die, I want to be on the other side of eternity from irritating religious fanatics!
Why are people defending these people who are fleecing the sheep with comments like God will win this? These so called ministers are not servants of God. Can you imagine Jesus Christ riding around in lavish vehicles and spending the poor peoples money. When he was on earth, he condemned the religious leaders of his day who did what these modern day apostates are doing. These hypocrites claim to be Christians, but their actions certainly prove otherwise. The Scripture says: "You received free, give free". It's about time someone questions their finances. They have ripped off the very people they are supposed to be protecting and cherishing. If the political system doesn't call them to account, the God they claim to worship will and it will be far more devastating than they can possibly imagine.
RE: detectleut said...
Christian are called to follow Christ not man, however some are called to teach but not to dictate and to preach but not to control the people. These pastors are guilty of both dictating and controlling the people, through tithes and offerings as an act of their faith. These people are being taught that without giving they can not get. But the bible says otherwise!!! ISAIAH 55: verse 1-3. Never is the word of God is to be sold nor the gifts of God to be used for gain. Staten Island, NEW YORK
WELL in response to that I say THIS
Isaiah 55:1-3 really say this:
1WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].(A)
2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].(B)
3Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.
Amp
This is the perfect example of people misquoting the Word. (again Detectleut said Is 55:1-3 says Never is the word of God is to be sold nor the gifts of God to be used for gain) That IS NOT what it says!! Also Detectleut said "These pastors are guilty of both dictating and controlling the people, through tithes and offerings as an act of their faith. These people are being taught that without giving they can not get" Well first of all They are only now being investigated NOT FOUND GUILTY except in Detectleut's judge mental eyes. And now to address his statement that "these people are being taught that without giving they can not get" Hear is what the Bible say about that.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(This sound pretty clear to me!! it says give little get little, give much get much. Make sense that if you give none, you get none!!)
Luke 6:37-38 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Last thing I like to say is Yes we are to follow Christ but God said in His word in Ephesians 4:10-13 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Hebrews 13:15-17 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Now detectleut said "Christian are called to follow Christ not man, although that may be a true statement the truth is, the Bible says to "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls")
The Bible is real pretty clear! Now of course it is up to you to be in the Word of God and check what you are taught, if it doesn't line up with the Bible, get out of there and find a pastor that is teaching the Word of God.
The problem is people who don't really know what the Bible says, yet try to quote it. And get it all messed up!!
Have a good day!!
I got an email and it said:
Hardy Haberman said...
I sincerely believe God will do just fine in this investigation. This is about human beings, fallible, flawed and vulnerable. America is a great nation, and Christianity is a great religion, and I consider myself both American and Christian, but I have seen up close how some televangelists manipulate their flock and garner huge fortunes. I think that is their right, but if they are running a major corporation that wields political influence and makes them millionaires I think they should pay taxes like the rest of us.
~~~~~
I agree with you!! However I believe in the integrity of these Ministries. I am very much aware that there are churches out there that have Wolves for Pastors. I see nothing wrong with investigating all of them. BUT when they find nothing wrong REPORT that. Report that these ministries are doing right by God and by the people. I also believe that God can not lie. The word says in Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. KJV I know God looks on the heart of them that give. (I believe if People give believing they are giving into good ground, and for some reason it turned out it wasn't good ground God would still honor their Giving.) And God will deal with the dishonest, His way. It is sad that so many people think the worst of churches. The bible also teaches in
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
1 Kings 2:3
and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,
Job 42:10
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Point here God made him prosperous. It's ok to be prosperous as long as you aren't stealing from the people)
Proverbs 8:17-23
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. KJV
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
I could go on and on, the Bible has a lot to say about money!! We should not get mad or jealous of Christians who actually walk in and living the Word of God and therefore receive God's blessings of prosperity. But unbelieving people even unbelieving Christians automatically jump to conclusions that "They must be ripping people off if they are prosperous." NO!!!!! God wants to prosper His children. Just like us, we don't want our children struggling, If you had lots of money and your child was going to school, working hard but just couldn't make her/his bill, wouldn't your heart say pay it for them. You want to help and bless your child don't you? Well God is far greater than us. And he wants to give us His best. Anyway, I'm glad you responded I hope this make sense to you, I know what I wanted to say I hope it comes across clearly.
You have a Blessed day!!
Lisa
I also got this email:
Anonymous said,
Any Bible beating holier than thous give religion a bad name in general. So arrogant, manipulative, exclusive and judgemental. Churches in general seem to me like "glorified" country clubs that bleed you for money and scare you to death so they can manipulate your life. No wonder so many people are afraid to die because of those bullies who probably know nothing about the real personality of God. More chaos and bloodshed in the world is due to religon. I've noticed some people tend to chose the religion that best suits their personality. I hope they blow the lid off of them all if they are greedy and taking advantage of vulnerable people. When I die, I want to be on the other side of eternity from irritating religious fanatics!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WOW, I don't what churches you have been to. You sound so angry. If this is what your church taught you, to be arrogant manipulative, judge mental and to fear. GEE no wonder you are angry!! But you can't judge all churches, all Christians by your bad experiences. I too was really hurt by some people in a church and it took a long while for me to forgive and move on. However just because there were some real jerks pretending to be Christians there doesn't mean all Christians are like that. The most important thing is Have a real RELATIONSHIP with Jesus yourself. Learn to listen to His voice, then let Jesus guide you and show you where you should be going. I am really sorry you are hurting and angry, I have been there. I will be praying for you. Jesus loves you, and He is always for you no matter what lies the enemy shouts at you, remember Jesus said He would NEVER leave nor fore sake you. He is waiting for you to turn your eyes back toward Him.
Have a great day!!
Post a Comment