Ummmm... Jesus wore a seamless robe...so valuable that the Roman soldiers cast lots for it. He used creative miracles to feed the multitudes.... and He needed a treasurer to keep track of all the money He had. Your perception would make null and void His promises and desires for us...
Luke 6:
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
3 John 1:
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
How many bibles could that money have bought? How many poor family's could it have feed, housed, or clothed?
My very first NIV was given to me by TBN for FREE. You can call them up and ask for one and they will give it to you. They also have a bible program where they send them all over the world. They also have benevolence programs (food/medical) around the world and sponsor (help pay for) alot of other ministries who are just getting started and can't afford air time.. so they too can minister to the world. They have launched satellites and put in Christian stations around the world.. in order to have non-commercial sponsored, 24 hr Christian TV. I would suggest you do some serious research. They will open their books to anyone who would care to look, for they have nothing to hide.
I don't see how anyone with their heart truly focused on God's word and the furthering of his kingdom could spend money in this magnitude on themselves...I am not here to judge these peoples heart for God for that is not my job, but the fruits they have born are not of a good tree...
But you ARE judging them... without all the facts and without knowing their hearts... or what they've personally sacrificed over the years to put forth the Gospel throughout the world. I've watched them from 1982 grow into what they are today. Have you watched more than a few moments... before making an opinion of what and who they are?
I also know in the bible it says that if a brother(or sister) should stumble, it is up to their brothers(and sisters) in Christ to point this out and help them repent...usually this would be done by your pastor or some elder in your church that knows you and understands your walk with God...your walk isn't supposed to be a secret from all others..God says to correct your brothers mistakes...this isn't judging his relationship with Christ, but it is correcting a mistake, and we all make them...
They've always been very explicit about encouraging their viewers to support their local church with their tithes. They ask for offerings twice a year with their one week telethons. BTW, what other ministry has reached the far corners of the earth.... with radio and TV broadcasts...in the way that TBN has? It takes MILLIONS to do just that...not including everything else they do. Missionaries go to remote places but are limited to small areas (which TBN also supports) with limited populations.
Proverbs 13
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
Psalm 128
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Proverbs 8
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
Sounds to me like God doesn't want us to live like paupers! What is 5 million to God? We're the ones who count the decimals. HE owns it all. :) God Bless.
Sorry if I am still working this through in my head, I appreciate your input very much...
IN Christ,
Excellent point, among your MANY excellent points. One thing Jesus was NOT, and that's POOR. That is a myth propagated by those trying to sell Christianity to the poor of South America, and elsewhere...