Pass the Collection Plate
A story recently surfaced about a GOP senator opening an investigation into some of TV’s most famous televangelists. Senator Charles Grassley is on the Senate Finance Committee, and he finally decided to take a look into some of the lavish lifestyles of TV ministries such as Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Paula and Randy White, Eddie Long, and Creflo Dollar. I say, it’s about time!
First things first, let me give you some background about myself. I had a Christian upbringing, and I believe in God and Jesus. I use to attend church faithfully, but a former minister at my church changed that when he started dipping in the collection plate and chasing members away with his “unique” sermons. He used God’s word to chastise the people in the church, which turned many off and sent them out of the door, including me. After I left my church, I attended other churches off and on until I eventually stopped attending altogether a couple of years ago. My parents, on the other hand, found a new church home that is similar to the prosperity teachings that some of the televangelists I mentioned previously teach. I attended their church a few times and never felt comfortable or at home there. It was too big (huge congregation) and a far cry from the smaller churches (with great country singing) I was use to attending. Still, I would go from time time. However, it wasn’t until their minister started slamming gay people during one sermon that I stopped attending their church and refuse to go back. I have gay friends/associates and do not appreciate ministers using the Word to throw slams at people, whether they’re gay, straight, or whatever. Slam-throwing is the reason why I left my former church home in the first place. However, getting back on track, my parents gravitated towards that particular church because they were fans and givers of TV-based ministries. My parents both sent in “love offerings” (aka donations) to Benny Hinn, Robert Tilton, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. I use to have discussions with them back then over how if they truly know their money isn’t being used to buy fancy homes and cars for these TV ministers. I was a child of the 80s and remember the scandals that cropped up about some of TV’s most infamous televangelists, so I always looked at these TV ministers with suspicion. My parents and I get into arguments about the matter to such a degree that I stopped engaging in that discussion with them. However, my dad finally saw the light and realized that he was donating his hard earned money without really knowing what was being done with it. Yes, he received “love gifts” such as special prayer cloths, books, CDs, etc. but he eventually wised up and realized these ministries were prospering off of his money. My mom, on the other hand, still blindly believes in these ministries along with millions of other people. I think it’s time for the blind to have their sight restored, hence why I fully support an investigation.
While I don’t think all of televangelists are corrupt, I believe the overwhelming majority of them are. I have seen and heard too many cases about healings being faked and evangelists with the power to “see things” discredited. That’s not to say that I don’t believe people can be healed or that there are people with special abilities. I just don’t believe these televangelists can do it. As a Christian, I learned at an early age that the devil has many workers in the church and that everyone preaching fire and brimstone to the masses are not who and what they really are once the cameras fade to black. I believe that some of these televangelists may start out their ministries with honesty and passion to spread the Word to as many people as possible to save souls. However, I also believe that with money and power comes corruption; the church and televangelists are not exempt from corruption. There is nothing wrong with Christian people doing well in life financially and having nice things. What is wrong is what these televangelists are doing with “love offerings” from supporters of their ministries. There are rumors of televangelists buying $23,000 toilets, riding around in Rolls Royces and other fancy cars, buying several multi-million dollar homes, living up the high life in lavish getaways, and using private jets to conduct non-church business - all [allegedly] on the dime of donations. These people don’t donate for TV ministers to live rock star lives with rock star wealth. They donate to help televangelists spread the Word and save souls. I don’t think high-roller lifestyles is apart of that mission. It is also a problem if these televangelists are using the church’s tax exemption to get away not paying taxes on personal income. How do we know some of the merchandise, books, CDs, etc. are not really personal income? Just because a televangelist writes a book doesn’t mean that it’s associated with the church, which is tax exempt. Of course, there is no evidence that televangelists are committing tax evasion, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this investigation turns up evidence that this is occurring.
I am extremely glad that televangelists are under investigation. Someone needs to provide some transparency over the usage of donations by these ministries. I’m sure some Christians who support these TV ministries view this investigation as an attack by the devil. I do not. I see it as something that’s been long overdue. I do not like people who use God to bilk people out of their money or make them believe by conducting elaborate “magic shows” when they travel around the nation or world. Let’s just hope they don’t uncover that more people’s prayer requests aren’t being thrown in the dumpster…after removing the “love offering” of course.
[Other Sources: Washington Post, Baptist Press]