The latest news on televangelists Kenneth and Gloria Copeland is that Tarrant County, Texas has chosen to refuse tax exempt status on their $3.6 million jet aircraft. Their other aircraft will, I suppose be exempt. The 1,500 acre estate, with a private landing strip, and $6 million home, which is supposedly owned by the church, will also qualify. They are refusing to release their salary amounts and are using attorneys to protect them from full disclosure. I would venture to say that they are not members of the financial accountability group as is Billy Graham’s ministry. Staff salaries should be disclosed in all ministries that desire their followers to give to their work.
These two, and their cronies, are an embarrassment to Christianity and Christians around the world. These people twist the Bible to try and make it say that believers are supposed to be rich and if not they are not rich they are living in sin. This is a travesty!
They claim that Jesus wore designer clothes, yet if we actually look at the Bible, it says that He had one outer garment to His name, and that was made by widows and other ladies who made things to support His work. They say that He lived in a mansion, yet Jesus said, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Matthew 8:20 They say that He had huge amounts of money, yet again the Bible states that all they possessed was kept in a small bag that was carried with them. This is nothing more than trying to justify their own greed. Judas Iscariot was a thief and stole money from the bag and ultimately sold Jesus for the price of an adult slave. Far too many are still selling Jesus for cheap trinkets. Elmer Gantry is still alive and well in America!
There is a lot of thievery going on in ministries like this one. Many in the past have raised money for ‘the poor orphans and widows’ in some far away place, only to be found out that maybe 10% of the money raised went to the actual needs of the people, while the rest was banked in their name.
Trinity Broadcasting Network has a constant barrage of begging and outright manipulating people to pressure them to send in their money to support these 'poor' people. Many of these shysters have been found out over the past years and yet the M.O. continues to this day. Is anything ever done to correct these illegal activities? Is there ever a denouncing of their sins? This makes those outside the Christian church question the tax exempt status of truly godly pastors and churches. Senator Grassley is right to pursue this kind of corruption.
There are many appropriate verses of Scripture to describe what God has to say about such behavior.
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
It is astounding to hear the outright heresy that these folks teach. The Bible seems to be unimportant to them as they spin their webs of deceit. You would think that you were listening to cult teachers as they distort the person of God. They make Adam out to be God himself. They claim that we are all little gods, which is totally false. The Bible teaches that there is only ONE God, and we aren’t Him!
“Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
When multiplied millions of people around the world go to bed hungry and live in horrific poverty, how can these people justify having this kind of wealth? This is pure hypocrisy and sin!
“Honor widows who are widows indeed…” 1 Timothy 5:3
This means to take care of widows, not take widows for their meager resources! The number one giver to these people is widows on a fixed income.
"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave (bond servant) of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45
The correct model for Christian ministry is an up-side-down pyramid. The one, who would be the leader among the people, goes to the bottom and SERVES the rest of the body of Christ, His church. We have too many church CEO's in the church at large today.
Far too often the folks, who are not believers, sit and make fun of such extravagance or it just leaves them nauseas. The following verse says it right to the point.
"For the name of God is blasphemed (slandered) among the Gentiles because of you,' just as it is written." Romans 2:24
Am I bugged by all this junk? You better believe it! The name of Jesus Christ is being made fun of because of those who would be classed among the rich and famous. Wealth and fame are not a part of genuine Christianity. It is just the exact opposite. We are to give everything we have to lead others to the freedom and forgiveness that we received as a gift. God cannot be bought and sold for man’s profit. Who cares what kind of car, house, clothing we possess, or anything else that smacks of materialism. God takes care of the needs of His people, NOT the wants.
“If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8
My advice to all who send in your money to these people: stop it! Put your giving in a place where it will meet the needs of hurting people, not in the pockets of those who are trying to live like the rich and famous. Demand accountability from those who get your money!