I have some (well, mostly one) close friend who subscribes to the prosperity gospel whole heartedly.

I don’t mind someone wanting to be blessed by God, but I don’t think that means that it’s OK to just sit back and not work and just wait for a bag of money to land on the door step.

And the funny thing is, I don’t think it’s viewed as greed. Somehow it’s pious to sit around and salivate over money and possessions that are acquired.

It sickens me.

This morning, the Pastor had on a ring that was louder than his sermon. I constantly find myself distracted by his designer suits and jewels. Mind you, I aint mad at that. He looks good. lol

Before chuch, a pastor was on BET saying that pastors SHOULD have private jets bec flying commercial is “public transportation.” (ummm, how many of their parishioners wait on the bus to get to 9:00 service every week?)

I wonder how many would be “called” if there was no such thing as tithes and offerings?

I know a Pastor who by many standards would be a good pastor save for his ego and arrogance. I attended his church for a short time and saw the ugly transformation that he went through. I was tempted to join that church and give up on the one I’ve attended for almost 15yrs now, but there was something in my that wouldn’t allow me to go through with it. I’m so happy I let the spirit rule and move me because (as I said), his ego and arrogance made me sick.

He praised a family for their $350k house and for overcoming some family issues, praised a young man who drove a distance to his church and was in the military, and things of that nature. Meanwhile, I live in a $350k house, served in the military, etc and never bragged about it or wanted it bragged about.

To make a long story short, I feel you on this subject and it’s one that frustrates me because all too often, I see more pastors looking out for self instead of their ministry.

As JMW said, many in their own house cannot pay for utilities, rent, or food and they’re off blessing themselves with the church tithes and offerings.

The Health and Wealth movement better take a backseat! I believe God wants us all to be blessed. However, to each man it is measured and a mystery on how it is appropriated.

We need to be blessed where we are! Praise Him for the goodness we’ve reaped and the benefits we have currently.

I have some questions for any Pastor whose wealthy lifestyle exceeds that of his congregation’s community. What do you tithe? I sure hope it’s 90% of your salary, because if God’s favor is all over you he’s given you other opportunities to create an income rather than using His money. What do the financial statements look like? Do the tithers know how much income and expenses are each year? How much is your salary and/or your housing allowance?

In cases like these, I hear the words…”It’s just a business.”

The Bible clearly holds ministries to higher standards.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” Matthew 23:25

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

Let’s pray for them.

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord.

As you stated, Pastors are SUPPOSED to be annointed and appointed by the Lord, but we’ve got all these self-appointed, self-gloryfied, FALSE prophets/preachers heading up our churches and they’ve caused the Lord’s sheep to scatter with their greed and unwillingness to align themselves with the ways and words of the Bible.

The purpose of wealth within the House of the Lord is to feed His people…but too many pastors have taken that wealth to feed themselves while the people go hungry. He shouldn’t be called a shepard of the Lord, having a yacht while people within his community have no food or shelter. The Lord causes you to be blessed for you to be a blessing.

Lastly, Matthew 19:24

“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” So, where do these wealthy preachers think they’ll end up…or do they care!?!