Corruption of Wealth in Faith Based Organizations

“Like the prophets who brought God’s Word to the people, Jesus had sympathy for the poor and often rebuked rich people who were selfish and did nothing for the poor. In Jesus’ parable, the poor man Lazarus who died was carried by angels to Abraham’s side in heaven, and the rich man was sent to hell, where he was in torment. The rich man had lived for his own pleasure and had ignored the message of Moses and the Prophets. Lazarus had had no comfort in life, but in death he received the blessings of life with God in heaven.” ¹

Joyce Meyer [Pauline Joyce Hutchison] – Yup, another millionaire who simply says she’s “blessed” while the poor and hungry surround her “church”. ²

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.” ³

Matthew Ashimolowo – A millionaire many times over. His organization has been investigated about reported serious misconduct and mismanagement. Yet he loves his money. ⁴

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” ⁵

Temitope Balogun Joshua [aka T.B. Joshua] – Yes, folks are “hooked” on his YouTube videos. Hate caused the channel to be suspended by YouTube in 2021 for alleged homophobic hate speech. He loved his money but couldn’t take it with him when he died on June 5, 2021. ⁶

“He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’” ⁷

Rick Warren – Saddle Back Church, a megachurch in Lake Forest, California. Sells tons of books under the title of The Purpose Driven Life. His “wealth” is reported to be over $25 million. His anti-evolution and anti-gay preaching have angered many who continually protest his rhetoric. He has fought the IRS regarding housing allowances and his mansions where he refuses to pay taxes. ⁸

” A minister’s housing allowance (sometimes called a parsonage allowance or a rental allowance) is excludable from gross income for income tax purposes but not for self-employment tax purposes. If you receive as part of your salary (for services as a minister) an amount officially designated (in advance of payment) as a housing allowance, and the amount isn’t more than reasonable pay for your services, you can exclude from gross income the lesser of the following amounts: ⁹

the amount officially designated (in advance of payment) as a housing allowance;
the amount actually used to provide or rent a home; or
the fair market rental value of the home (including furnishings, utilities, garage, etc.).“

Billy Graham [William Franklin Graham Jr.] – Another person who couldn’t take his wealth with him when he died on February 21, 2018. He opposed John F. Kennedy, favored Richard Nixon, and loved Mitt Romney. Billy’s son endorsed and voted for Donald Trump. He encouraged Nixon to bomb North Vietnam. Money rules his decisions. ¹⁰

Creflo Dollar – Another rich “pastor”. He preaches something called prosperity theology”. ¹¹ It is obvioius that Creflo loves his money. ¹²