Read Romans 14:1-4, 10
Rom 14:1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
Rom 14:2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
Rom 14:3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
If the Crouch's have faith for a $5 million house, who am I to criticize?
However, Romans 14:15, 21 continue:
Rom 14:15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
So, perhaps in this the Crouches did err, in that their actions have grieved, offended, caused to stumble, and made weak people who have faith only to eat "vegetables".
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
All joking aside, what is unfortunate about TBN is that they will have some good evangelists on their station like Charles Stanley, Tony Evans, Franklin Graham, etc. sometimes and then they will have these deceptive snake handlers who have no concept of what the Bible says. There are many people that are new Christians who look at this channel and support whoever is on it.
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, wont you buy me a color TV ?
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a night on the town ? Im counting on you, Lord, please dont let me down. Prove that you love me and buy the next round, Oh Lord, wont you buy me a night on the town ?
Everybody!
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends, Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends, So oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Thats it!
Janis Joplin
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, wont you buy me a color TV ?
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a night on the town ? Im counting on you, Lord, please dont let me down. Prove that you love me and buy the next round, Oh Lord, wont you buy me a night on the town ?
Everybody!
Oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends, Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends, So oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Thats it!
Janis Joplin
I wish people here were more discerning.
Sits a ragged tent
Where there ain't no trees
And that gospel group
Telling you and me
It's Love
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show
Pack up the babies
Grab the old ladies
Everyone goes
Everyone knows
Brother Love's show
Room gets suddenly still
And when you'd almost bet
You could hear yourself sweat, he walks in
Eyes black as coal
And when he lifts his face
Every ear in the place is on him
Starting soft and slow
Like a small earthquake
And when he lets go
Half the valley shakes
It's Love, Love
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show
Pack up the babies
Grab the old ladies
Everyone goes
Everyone knows
Brother Love's show
Sermon
Take my hand in yours
Walk with me this day
In my heart, I know
I will never stray
Halle, halle, halle, halle, halle, halle, halle
It's Love, Love
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show
Pack up the babies
Grab the old ladies
Everyone goes
Everyone knows
Brother Love's show
Amen
I have found some great programming on the channel. I have enjoyed listening to many of the ministers on the channel. Tommy Teney is one that I particulary enjoy ( he is the author of The God Chasers ).
I have turned the channel quite often when I hear the pleading for $$$. I believe that we should be the stewards of what Gid has given us and provide for His work. On the other hand, I believe that if the work being done is TRULY his then He will always make a way for it to continue.
I guess the ultimate judge of the Crouch's and the others will be God. If the ministry has been used to reach ONE soul, just one is it worth it?
I find it difficult to judge these people not knowing their hearts as I believe that only God may truly pass judgement. I do believe in rebuke if another is misappropriating ministry funds. I do believe in prosperity but not always as being a financial gain. I always believe in healing but not that you havbe to pay for it via a donation to any ministry. Faith is free.
If Paul Crouch has financed this home off of the sales of his book and recent movie endeavors and if he donates to his own ministry then I hold him blameless and consider him to be blessed. If not then I say that he needs to be rebuked and to step down.
I believe that an audit of their financial accounts is readily available to all who request it. I am not sure though.
I am not defending the ministry but I am not condemning it either. I will simply use prayer and discernment in the matter. I don't envy the Crouch's ability to purchase their home. If it is an honest purchase then I am happy that they are blessed. If not, then I am sincerely disappointed as they will only hinder the work that the Lord desires to have done and that is spreading the gospel.