Considering there are hundreds churches in Houston, it is a bit dishonest to be talking about a monopoly.
His books are usually kept in the church book store and members are encouraged from the pulpit and other's to buy the books.
Most of his books are sold in bookstores, not at the church's bookstore. Joel does run commercials on his TV show to promote his book, but I don't think he does it from the pulpit. I would hope Joel uses some of his book sales to pay for the TV time, but I have no idea.
If joel really had the truth that helped christian's suceed at hliness or entering heaven, it would seem that by Christ's highest commandment, he would give the books away.
I would agree to some degree. However, poor pastors can't afford TV time. I don't see being prosperous itself as a sin. You do have to be careful that your prosperity does not lead to the love of money. Jesus preached about the difficulties of a rich man getting into heaven.
I'm not talking about a monopoly of churches, but a monoply within his church. People go there because they think it is the right place to be, i.e. that it will help them with holiness or entering heaven. Therefore Joel has unlimited, unrestricted ability to sell his book w/o competition.
I'm sure his books are sold in bookstores, but It would be ridiculous to think that his own books are not sold in the church bookstore. Once again reinforcing in his members that they should buy his books and they will get them to heaven.
There are 7,000 churches in Houston with average membership of 280 per.
Neither Lakewood nor Second Baptist Church of Houston have anything remotely close to a monopoly.
I swear, at times it seems that every shopping center in Houston has a storefront church.