Fraudulent, Unchristlike, or Just Poor Stewardship
By Dr. Carl S. Parnell
A possible ethical problem in America’s modern-day Christian Church has developed over the wealthy lifestyle that many television and or mega-church ministers are living. These ministers receive large sums of money from their followers on a regular basis to support their ministries. But, most of the people who send money to these televangelists assume they are mainly using it for the ministry of the Gospel. They also assume that their money is being used frugally. But, do they really expect their contributions to be used frugally? However, based on recent news stories describing the lifestyles being lived by many of these ministers, their money is apparently making these ministers richer and richer and making them poorer and poorer.
Presently, many newspaper articles have criticized the lavish lifestyles that these Christian ministers are living. Also, some members of the United States Congress have questioned the lifestyles being lived by these ministers on tax-exempt money. However, should the United States government get involved with this religious issue? Also, is there the distinct possibility that the outcome of government intervention in the religious arena could finally give the government the legal rationale to eliminate the tax-exempt status of all churches in the United States? If this were to happen, many Christian churches in America would have to close their doors. They would not have the money to pay the extra taxes. As a result, the failures or poor judgments of some leaders of America’s Christian Church could negatively effect Christianity as a whole.
In reality, have these ministers violated the trust of their followers? The answer is contained in the mindset of the ones who sent money to these mega televangelists and the mindset of the televangelist themselves. If the followers of these ministers sent money for the sole purpose of gaining prosperity, just like their favorite televangelist preaches, they would expect them to live an opulent lifestyle. It is similar to the purpose of purchasing lottery tickets on a regular basis. The person who purchases the tickets expects to hit the jackpot at some point in time. But, God did not promise a life of prosperity for all Christians. I n fact, when a person gives to the work of God, he or she should not expect anything in return. Of course, if a televangelist preaches a prosperity gospel, right or wrong, it makes logical sense that he or she would have to live a life of prosperity. In his or her eyes, it would look bad for his or her image as a prosperity preacher if he or she drove a car that cost less than $100,000 dollars. However, what really constitutes prosperity?
But, the people who give generously to these television ministers give without being able to control how their money is used, but they still give. Therefore, even though the type lifestyles these ordained ministers live with other peoples’ money may be unethical, they are probably not guilty of fraud. However, they might just be guilty of the sin of greed and the failure to follow Christ’s teachings on proper stewardship. As Christ stated in the Bible, His followers, including ministers, should concentrate on meeting the needs of His people, not building up treasures for themselves here on the earth. However, God has promised to meet the needs of His followers according to His riches in glory.
A government investigation is not the proper way to solve this religious problem at hand. A return to the altar would be the main solution. When these ministers return to God’s plan for their lives, He will take care of them. But, possibly God’s plan for taking care of them would not include a multimillion-dollar home and a Rolls Royce. Another solution would involve the followers of these ministers. If the followers of these ministers do not agree with the lifestyle that they are living, they should begin immediately to cut back on their donations or do not give any donations period. If all these ministers’ followers would decrease their donations, these ministers might have to live on a budget, just like the people who sent them their hard earned money. But, if it does not bother them that their favorite television preachers are living lifestyles that far surpass theirs, so be it.
However, if the U.S. government continues to investigate these members of the clergy, it could very well violate the separation of church and state in America, if there is one. Also, it could open the door for even more government intervention in future religious issues. But, needless to say, the Christian community does not need the scrutiny of the U.S. government. In fact, since members of Congress are paid with taxpayers’ money, how would members of Congress feel if a select committee of ministers scrutinized their activities and their lifestyle? Would they be willing to turn over all their tax records to this watchdog committee of ministers? Most likely, they would not be agreeable to the committees’ demands. Therefore, they should understand why these targeted ministers do not want to meet the demands of a congressional committee.
Ultimately, the Christian community needs to solve their own problems under the direction of God and the people that He has ordained to lead and guide His children. If ministers of the Gospel are living in a manner that goes beyond God’s standards, then selected members of the religious community, not politicians of the United States government, should devise a plan to correct and monitor them. Politicians have enough trouble now attempting to solve their own problems and the problems of the United States government. Also, solutions to spiritual problems cannot be legislated by the United States Congress. Therefore, it is the responsibility of those who are led by the Spirit of God, not the spirit of man, to solve spiritual problems and or religious issues in America.
Dr. Parnell is a retired public school educator and presently teaches social science courses at a private, Christian high school in Georgia. He is the author of From Schoolhouse to Courthouse: Exposing America’s New Terror From Within (Wheatmark Publishing, ISBN: 1-58736-613-4). He is also a guest columnist on several online websites.
