Why Franklin Graham’s salary raises eyebrows among Christian nonprofits

KansasCity.com ^ | 8/21/15

[Mr Rogers]

“Neither YOU nor I would take a job with that much responsibility for that little consideration.”

I have. An officer in combat operations has more than enough responsibility - but I didn’t do it for the pay. I needed to be paid something, but how much do you pay someone to volunteer to go get shot at?

A 4-star general, such as the senior ranking officer in the Army, makes about $185,000/year in base pay. With other perks, they probably have a ‘package’ worth around $250K.

The Lt Col who commands a battalion or a fighter squadron makes around 80-100K. For a number of years, I spent about 6 months/year in either Saudi Arabia or Turkey. I was an O-3, so I was making less - not sure what it was. But I lived in a tent, ate in a chow hall, often started my day at 1 AM, flew over Iraq and sometimes got shot at...and I wasn’t getting paid enough to do that. Not for cash.

But it was my profession - my love and my pride. I did it because I believed in it. When Graham takes my money, which I have a lot less of than he does, and gives himself a salary 10 times greater than anything I ever saw...what is he doing it for? If I could get shot at for 50K, why can’t he preach and help the poor for something a little less astronomical?

[Mr Rogers]

“Ask yourself if you would take a similar salary, given the size of the organization.”

A 4-star general overseeing the US Army with roughly 500,000 men makes $185K.

[Patriotic1]

I think the issue is that a high profile Christian should be above reproach. Things that are ok at times should be avoided if it would cause scandal. (1 Cor 8, and here's a good verse from there 9 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.)

I've stopped giving to certain Catholic charities due to salary concerns. There's one nun organization (a liberal dissenting one) where one of them is a president of a hospital group and is making around the same. However, the salary goes to her religious group and helps support retired religious in the group. (They're liberal, like I said, so their average age is probably in the 70's, as opposed to the more conservative groups who are averaging in the 20's.) So that I can understand, although I still don't like it.

I don't think a comparison to profit orgs is correct since it is believers who are expressing concern here, and they are comparing to other religious non-profits/charities.

Just a comment from a believing bystander.

[SoFloFreeper]

An officer in combat operations has more than enough responsibility - but I didn’t do it for the pay.

...and yet we presume Graham does it "for the pay"...how interesting.

We also presume Graham "gives himself a salary", whereas the recompense is determined by a separate board....also interesting.

In the final analysis, Graham's monies are a pittance to what he MORE than adequately brings in for the ministry.

Those who sit in critical judgement of that kind of remuneration aren't being realistic, gracious, or fair. Those who HAVE done the kind of job he has done (or claim to have done so) would then be the most cognizant of the responsibilities thereof.

I won't join the liberal media (where this story originated) in a knee jerk reaction against a man who has done more than his critics in spreading the Gospel.

[Bob434]

[[Solomon is likely in Hell. He turned away from God and worshipped the gods of the hundreds of foreign wives he married in defiance to the Lord’s warning]]

once saved always saved-

[Bob434]

[[Well, no. That wasn’t something I said either.]]

Sorry- I had you mixed up with ‘above my paygrade’- I was answering you both at same time

[[You post about everything except the simple point that I stated concerned me.]]

Because I posted the wrong response to you- it was meant for ‘above my paygrade’- I had two windows of replies open at the same time- disregard my comments to you- sorry for the confusion

[Bob434]

[[I believe there is lots of room to pay a good salary without going to either extreme.]]

Again, can you show where it’s wrong to be rich? Do we know how Franklin uses his salary? How can we sit un judgment when we have no clue about how he uses his salary? God promises wealth and prosperity all the time in His word under certain circumstances (most of which Franklin has met) And I’m sure Franklin takes the verse ‘to whom much is given, much is required’ very seriously. Can you honestly tell us that Franklin doesn’t infact use it for God’s glory? If you don’t know, then how can you sit in judgment of His salary?

All we need do is look at his life- look at his work to KNOW that he does not serve mammon- Have any of us sacrificed our lives to the extent that Franklin has to serve God?

It’s very likely that Franklin, with the help of God, is a great financial blessing to others around him- because God has been so generous to him, He in turn very likely is very generous to others- judging by his actions and his statements, and the fruit he exhibits, it’s not very hard to imagine that he is a blessing to others because God has blessed him so much

God has been pleased to make many people rich all down through history- and many of those he made rich used their wealth to further God’s word in myriad and various ways- and many of these rich were made rich because God knew they were honorable men and women who would use their wealth for the right things while also being able to enjoy their wealth themselves because it was provided by God.

[[In his discussion of Acts 2-5, Art Lindsley lists several examples from the New Testament of wealthy believers who gave generously to those in need. Among these Christians are:
•Joseph, called Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37)
•Dorcas (Acts 9:36)
•Cornelius (Acts 10:1)
•Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-12)
•Lydia (Acts 16:14-15)
•Jason (Acts 17:5-9)
•Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3)
•Mnason of Cyprus (Acts 21:16)
•Philemon (Philemon 1)]]

[[Yes, it is perfectly fine for Christians to become wealthy; and there is nothing in the Bible that forbids Christians from gaining large amounts of money. The problem is that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). Jesus said that you cannot serve both money and God at the same time: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth),” (Matt. 6:24). Jesus is not saying that it is sinful to be rich. Jesus is telling us that the problem is when Christians start putting their faith, hope, and security in their money (and it becomes their master) rather than God. At this point, they become idolaters and fail to serve the true God.]]

https://carm.org/questions/other-questions/it-okay-christians-rich

anyways- this thread has certainly cast a lot of stones, without knowing how Franklin uses his salary, some even going so far as to accuse him of ‘serving mammon’ DESPITE the clear evidence to the contrary- Personally I wouldn’t care if he made 50 million a year IF that was what God allowed him to make because I am confident, after watching him produce fruit the way he has, that God would have his reasons for allowing it

[Bob434]

[[I think the issue is that a high profile Christian should be above reproach.]]

Can you explain how he isn’t above reproach? The verse talks about causing people to stumble (IE: forcing a recovered drunk to take a drink via peer pressure- forcing a recovering drug addict to take a hit of something via peer pressure etc)- it is NOT however talking about causing jealous people to grumble- big difference. People looking atr Franklin and claiming his salary is ‘too high’; and or ‘disgusting’ are second guessing God’s decision to allow him that salary, given the FACT that Franklin is a true man of God and lives his faith for all to plainly see (not that that is why he lives it- just that it’s plain for all to see)- Those who want to grumble and complain about it are in essence saying they know better than God what God should allow Franklin to get- God has entrusted Franklin with this money for good reason- whether we see that reason or not- But really, we CAN see why God allows it because Franklin is a man dedicated to God, a man who has sacrificed tremendously of his time and very likely of his wealth, to helping those in need, and it pleases God to enable Him to do so and it pleases God to entrust more and more responsibilities to him via more income

Really we should be thanking God for a man who is willing to do the things we ourselves are NOT willing to do

Now, someone living a life of obvious debauchery, obvious sin, and self indulgence for the sheer reason of self indulgences, power and prestige etc- then yeah- we would have a case here- but Franklin does none of this

[Above My Pay Grade]

A highly debatable point of doctrine. That said, traditional Calvinists who believe in the perserverance of the saints would say that a man who turned away from God to idolatry in his latter years was NEVER saved and call him a false professor.

Arminians would say he either was never saved or fell away. Six of one, half dozen of the other. The bottom line is that no sound Christian teacher would teach that such a man ended up saved, unless there was some final repentance we are not aware of.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Thanks for responding and we agree on much. We disagree on FG’s compensation. Best

[Mr Rogers]

“..and yet we presume Graham does it “for the pay”...how interesting.”

Let’s face it - someone making 900K is more likely to be doing it for the pay than someone who makes 50K. And no one shoots at Franklin Graham, and he doesn’t live in a tent.

“In the final analysis, Graham’s monies are a pittance to what he MORE than adequately brings in for the ministry.”

It is supposed to be a MINISTRY, not a business. And his “pittance” is vastly more than I’ve ever made in my life.

[Bob434]

[[Let’s face it - someone making 900K is more likely to be doing it for the pay than someone who makes 50K.]]

People looking atr Franklin and claiming his salary is ‘too high’; and or ‘disgusting’ are second guessing God’s decision to allow him that salary, given the FACT that Franklin is a true man of God and lives his faith for all to plainly see (not that that is why he lives it- just that it’s plain for all to see)- Those who want to grumble and complain about it are in essence saying they know better than God what God should allow Franklin to get- God has entrusted Franklin with this money for good reason- whether we see that reason or not- But really, we CAN see why God allows it because Franklin is a man dedicated to God, a man who has sacrificed tremendously of his time and very likely of his wealth, to helping those in need, and it pleases God to enable Him to do so and it pleases God to entrust more and more responsibilities to him via more income

Really we should be thanking God for a man who is willing to do the things we ourselves are NOT willing to do

Now, someone living a life of obvious debauchery, obvious sin, and self indulgence for the sheer reason of self indulgences, power and prestige etc- then yeah- we would have a case here- but Franklin does none of this

[Bob434]

[[It is supposed to be a MINISTRY, not a business. And his “pittance” is vastly more than I’ve ever made in my life.]]

You sound angry at God for allowing Franklin more money than you get? As mentioned before- have you served God the way Franklin is? Do you have the massive responsibilities he has? The expenses? The charity?

Seems we’re focusing on money and ignoring the work and responsibilities God has required of Franklin- and that isn’t very fair to either God, who allows Franklin to get what he gets, or Franklin who has dedicated his life to serving God

If you can provide evidence Franklin is serving mammon instead of God, please present it- all we’ve seen so far is ‘franklin makes a lot of money, and that’s a sin’ type responses

[Trailerpark Badass]

The mere appearance and whiff of scandal such a salary would predictably create would make an honest man turn it down.

[Mr Rogers]

“You sound angry at God for allowing Franklin more money than you get? As mentioned before- have you served God the way Franklin is? Do you have the massive responsibilities he has?”

You’re the one acting angry.

I’ve pointed out two facts that I think are relevant:

1 - A 4-star general in charge of 500,000 men makes roughly $185K while Graham is making nearly 900K - so I don’t see where his “massive responsibilities” justify that kind of money.

2 - The people donating money are largely people with a fraction of his income, giving to help the poor.

I think someone in ministry ought to take that into account. I think the business justifications being given stink. He’s supposed to be a minister, not someone trying to make top dollar.

“have you served God the way Franklin is? Do you have the massive responsibilities he has?”

I’ve been shot at many times while in the military. How often has Franklin Graham been shot at? I can’t say I’ve served God the way he has, but I’ve served my country in a much more dangerous occupation for a fraction of the price.

” are second guessing God’s decision to allow him that salary”

Ummm....aren’t you forgetting that men SIN? That isn’t “God’s Salary”, and God doesn’t sign the paychecks. Those are what MEN pay him.

“Really we should be thanking God for a man who is willing to do the things we ourselves are NOT willing to do...”

Really? What are ‘we’ not willing to do? I suspect I risk as much when I stand on principle as Graham does. Maybe more, since he might increase donations for doing it, while I can be fired.

Why should a “man of God” make 10, 20, 30 times as much as those giving the money to his ministry? Hmmm?

[Bob434]

[[I think someone in ministry ought to take that into account. I think the business justifications being given stink. He’s supposed to be a minister, not someone trying to make top dollar.]]

And you know what he does with his money how? You know his expenses how? and just for the record- his salary is from two organizations, Samaritan’s purse and BG Evangelistic Association and the 880,000 was compensation for years he worked for nothing

[[1 - A 4-star general in charge of 500,000 men makes roughly $185K while Graham is making nearly 900K - so I don’t see where his “massive responsibilities” justify that kind of money]]

A minor league ball player makes diddly squat- a major league player makes bundles of money- what’s your point? Franklin Graham has massive responsibilities and expenses- He was given years worth of pay/retirement benefits in one lump sum and people have a cow- Again- seems like you’re angry or jealous about what he makes? What is the ‘correct amount’ in your opinion for a man of God to receive before he becomes a ‘sinner’? in your eyes? I’m sure preachers the world over are on pins and needles awaiting your judgment-

Elijah came from a wealthy family, he was taken care of in luxury by a wealthy woman when he visited a wealthy city- He was accustomed to wealth and generous donations

Abraham was very rich- lived a wealthy life-

Isaac was very rich- Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. — Genesis 26:12-14

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. — Genesis 36:6-7

David was very rich-
And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. - 1 Chronicles 29:28

King David stated, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread [Psalms 37:25]. The LORD knows the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. The NLT reads, “they will survive through hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough [Psalms 37:18-19, Proverbs 10:3].

And King Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. - 2 Chronicles 9:22

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. — 2 Chronicles 17:5

Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. -

Golly, Franklin made some money- stop the presses- gather the stones for a public stoning

[[Why should a “man of God” make 10, 20, 30 times as much as those giving the money to his ministry? Hmmm?]]

Wow, talk about sour grapes- Why should kings make billionsm ore than their subjects, why should men of God have vast treasures as we’ve seen from God’s word- why this why that-

[[I can’t say I’ve served God the way he has, but I’ve served my country in a much more dangerous occupation for a fraction of the price]]

Again, sorry to say, that just sounds like sour grapes- The nations is grateful for your service, and not to diminish what you’ve done- but, your service is over, Franklin’s is lifelong- His time is not his own- he is on call 24/7 365 days a year- for life- and you can bet the vast majority6 of it is taken up with other people’s problems day in and day out- on the phone constantly- This man has dedicated his WHOLRE life to service for God, just as his father did-

[[I can’t say I’ve served God the way he has,]]

Nor can I- I would crumple under the massive responsibilities this man has to endure- the pressures he has to face- perhaps you could handle it, I don’t know- but I know I couldn’t-

[[Ummm....aren’t you forgetting that men SIN?]]

Sooooo what are you saying, the men signing his checks are ‘sinning’? Franklin is ‘sinning’ accepting the money?

[uncitizen]

Unless someone has been a CEO or had a position with the responsibility that Franklin Graham has, they might not realize those people EARN that pay.

[Bob434]

All people can see is the amount he got and think he isn’t worth that amount- people are very jealous of Christians who make money- (While apparently they are fine with trump making billions, ball players making mega millions etc)- people have the notion ‘men of God shouldn’t be prosperous’ because ‘it gives a bad impression’ yet they dismiss the fact that many ‘men of God’ in the bible were very rich

As I said in my last post- the responsibilities of people like Franklin are massive- they have responsibilities that would crush most of us within a year I suspect- perhaps sooner- it would just be overwhelming having to deal with people’s problems day in day out constantly- beign bothered at lunch- at night, during middle of night, etc etc etc- and the stress of having to deal with corporate issues day in and day out is also tremendous— and while it is true other jobs have such high stress levels and responsibilities and don’t pay as well, it’s also true that many pay much much higher than what graham gets- but apparently people have arbitrary salary levels they assign before one becomes ‘unGodly’ while ignoring the amount of work that people such as Graham actually have to do and the sacrifices they make-

[uncitizen]

This kind of underhanded attack on Franklin Graham by the media probably won’t get far because people are awakening to the fact that they have been being manipulated and controlled by the media for a long time. Hope so anyway..

[Mr Rogers]

“And you know what he does with his money how? You know his expenses how?”

I don’t. But he’s making far more than those giving to him make, and they THINK they are helping the poor, not the rich.

“What is the ‘correct amount’ in your opinion for a man of God to receive before he becomes a ‘sinner’?”

If he is asking for money from people poorer than him to fund his salary, then he makes too much as a minister.

None of the people you cite made their wealth by asking poorer people to give to the poor and then using the money to pay themselves far more than those giving made. If Graham makes money in BUSINESS, it is his business. If he makes it by asking people to give to the poor, then it becomes their business.

“but, your service is over, Franklin’s is lifelong- His time is not his own- he is on call 24/7 365 days a year- for life”

You think the military is not? You think a current 4-star general, making $185K/year, is not? When I served, I didn’t do it for money. When Graham serves...is it for money? That becomes more likely when you make a LOT of money by diverting it from the poor it is supposed to go to.

“Sooooo what are you saying, the men signing his checks are ‘sinning’? Franklin is ‘sinning’ accepting the money?”

No. I’m saying exactly what I told you - God doesn’t write the checks, and God may not be pleased with the amount. You suggested God was paying Graham, but He is not. Men are.