[GBA]

"For my next trick, I shall pass this camel through the eye of this needle..."

On one hand, I'm glad that Christians are so generous and that there are so many generous Christians, but these super successful, high dollar churches seem unsavory to me. I don't expect them to be poor and give away every dollar and have Sunday services in a shack, but gaudy displays of wealth and opulence seem out of step with Jesus' message, as is my judging. Oh well, I guess it's the devil in me that distrusts televangelists and preachers in Rolls Royces...

[scottteng]

http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/H_Home.asp
Really does not matter what the gross is it is what is done with that money that is important. Trying to hide what the money goes to is one of the first clues to a problem. The above organization rates ministries mostly on their transparency or in other words openness about telling all about where the money goes. Preachers need to live too and we do expect them to dress better than the congregation.

[ari-freedom]

people are just jealous that his church is successful. But you know what? if you want successful institutions you have to reward the ‘CEO’ and this applies for churches and non-profits just as much as for-profit companies.

[free_life]

"But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."

That about says it all "it is excessive!" Where does Jesus teach us about about excessive living? Lots of excessive wealth here no treasure in heaven.

However the gov has no business making this there business to investigate. If there are laws being broken let the FBI and IRS do their jobs.

Cannot help but wonder how this may be connected to the lefts strategy of disarming evangelicals for the purpose of advantage in the next election.

[abercrombie_guy_38]

And some wonder why people have a beef with organized religion. This is disgusting, not to mention highly hypocritical.

[AD from SpringBay]

Sixty-nine million? Sounds almost purpose driven.

[balch3]

good for him. It’s none of the government’s business.

[Xenophon450]

I just want to know why he needs bodyguards...

[AndyTheBear]

...just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong.

What is it in excess of then?

[wouldntbprudent]

Gross.

[aruanan]

The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International

This is a joke, right?

But the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he mainly uses for special occasions, he said.

"Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

[expatguy]

US69 Million can buy a lot of bling.

[metesky]

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched an investigation into the finances of six ministers after hearing reports of some preachers' lavish and opulent lifestyles.

Let me be clear here: I don't like the whole idea of "mega-churches" and I really dislike almost all TV evangelists.

That being said, I wonder when someone will launch an investigation into the lavish and opulent lifestyles of 100 senators. When was the last time Grassley went to dinner and spoke the words, "This is on me."?

Putz.

[Constitution Day]

The God I believe in isn’t short of cash, mister...

[reagan_fanatic]

"Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."

Golly - Jesus must be looking down from Heaven and smiling...


/s

[B-Chan]

[Zack Nguyen]

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched an investigation into the finances of six ministers after hearing reports of some preachers' lavish and opulent lifestyles. In a letter last week, he requested answers by Dec. 6 to questions about their executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.

Did Senator Grassley have some proof of wrongdoing beyond evidence of "wealthy and lavish lifestyles"? Is that alone enough for the government to investigate ministries? I may or may not be inclined towards any of these ministries, but government's interest should be confined to evidence of wrongdoing.

[ctdonath2]

So????

The whole operation took in $69M revenue. That’s not much for what is essentially a business.

Where the money went is a much more interesting question ... which probably has a very dull answer. (That the CEO got a Rolls is not interesting; nothing wrong with a little (and yes, it’s little) bonus for doing a good job financially.)