Televangelists Under Investigation

This—financial investigations regarding several televangelists and authors—has been going on for several days now. It would be inappropriate for me to draw conclusions about any of these preachers—that's what investigations are for. I do regret the poor choice of words in the L.A. Times's headline: "Is prosperity a blessing from God, or a crime?" It depends on where it comes from, friends, and how it's used. It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil, not money itself.

If any of these preachers were deceptive in their fund-raising practices, or if they are misusing funds--on extravagant living, for example--that's wrong, it's illegal, and I support the Senate committee's efforts to expose it.

I have seen preachers commit both errors (deception and selfish extravagance), and I abhor it. I was at one event where the very famous preacher--I will not name him--exhorted everyone to "lift up one hand to God!" Then, "lift up your other hand to God!" That was followed by, "Now I'm going to bless your hands so that whatever you give will be returned to you one-hundred-fold!" Then they passed the collection plates. That's manipulative and abhorrent. (Somebody in that ministry knew that, too--it was edited out of the television presentation of the event.)

I rush to add that this is not typical of most churches or most Christian leaders. There are far, far more examples of godly leaders with sterling integrity (like Billy Graham) than of deceptiveness or manipulation. But some people with high visibility have not always been great examples. I do not know what will be found regarding any of the individuals included in this investigation, but I strongly support any effort to assure integrity. I pray that I myself will be faithful in these things.

Posted: Mon - November 12, 2007 at 09:12 AM |

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Televangelists Under Investigation

Thinking Christian by Tom Gilson