Thread: View Profile History God is big business! Just ask Joel Osteen who lives in this nearly $10.5 million mansion house! So what is the ten and a half million dollar question? Maybe the question is �Should a televangelist be living like Scrooge McDuck in such a high-priced home, while poverty stricken people literally beg for change down the street from this prestigious neighborhood?".
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View Profile History God is big business! Just ask Joel Osteen who lives in this nearly $10.5 million mansion house! So what is the ten and a half million dollar question? Maybe the question is �Should a televangelist be living like Scrooge McDuck in such a high-priced home, while poverty stricken people literally beg for change down the street from this prestigious neighborhood?".
Posted : 21 Jan, 2012 06:07 AM
God is big business! Just ask Joel Osteen who lives in this nearly $10.5 million mansion house! So what is the ten and a half million dollar question? Maybe the question is �Should a televangelist be living like Scrooge McDuck in such a high-priced home, while poverty stricken people literally beg for change down the street from this prestigious neighborhood?".
River Oaks is home to some of the world�s wealthiest people. It�s the kind of community that most people don�t understand, and many aren�t even highly aware it exists. A person needs an eight figure bank account to even qualify as a new blood. Read more about it. The community�s palaces are safely tucked away behind a few city blocks, inside loop 610. Almost all of the houses are covered with high dollar greenery to screen themselves off from everyone else. They are hidden gems, and Joel Osteen�s house is no different in that respect. On these affluent streets sit homes owned by people who own or run companies you�ve heard of.
Joel and his wife Victoria�s 17,000-square-foot mansion is walled off completely, and the place swarms with security. In 2010, property taxes for this River Oaks home were over $267,000. Some people may feel a stark contrast between comfort and extravagance when they learn of the three in-house elevators, 6 bathrooms, and five wood-burning fireplaces. Some just won�t be able to overcome that more than $10 million price tag, especially knowing this isn�t the family�s only property. Still, others will say �Hell no, enough is NEVER enough!�. Self-justification just seems to be par for the course when aspiring to ride on the prosperity gospel�s gravy train.
With little cameras littering the lawn and bodyguards buzzing the block, who needs to practice faith in their protection? It can be said that Joel Osteen certainly has a lot to protect. Let�s just say his worldly accumulations have really accumulated. These are the days when amassing money and material appear to be the main objective. Perhaps science has been putting a damper on speculation of eternal afterlife rewarding, in the past couple of decades. Whatever the reason, now is not the time to second-guess this new world mission. Just keep reaping rewards. Just keep selling. And the number one product? Well, the number one product is Jesus. Joel�s image isn�t too far behind though, along with self-help, inspiration, and hope. Think of it as a money-making cocktail. With success, he peddles this message that simply feels good.
Lakewood Church was started in 1959, primarily by Joel's father, John Osteen. For many years, it was known as 'The Oasis of Love in a Troubled World'. John was a personable community figure, and had a unique talent for public speaking. He was notably charismatic in his sermons. Compared to his successor, John's tone was more "fire and brimstone". He was ordained by the Southern Baptist Congregation, which likely influenced his approach. His message was already that of a newly-developing prosperity gospel. In some instances, he would tell his congregation that there were more important things than money. Concurrently, he would tell people that God wanted them to be financially successful, and that they needed to be active in supporting the church. By 1979, attendance at Oasis of Love was over five thousand and growing. John Osteen's popularity was also increasing, as many people came to admire him as a great spiritual leader. His church would come to be known as 'Lakewood'.
In 1981, Joel turned eighteen years old. A path was being cleared for him. After graduating from Humble High School, Joel started attending Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. His studies were focused around broadcasting. However, he eventually dropped out and headed back to Texas. Not long after, Osteen Sr. brought Joel into the business. The two worked together to establish the Lakewood Television Ministry. Joel would go on to produce the show for many years, while collecting a generous church salary. During this time, he was reportedly buying and selling small TV stations on the side. In January of 1999, John died of a heart attack. After his father's passing, Joel took over as senior pastor. He never went to seminary, but he knew broadcasting. Viewership began multiplying as Joel perfected his pitch. He began to evolve the prosperity gospel into what it has become today, but with a smiling face and a soft compassionate voice.
Many loyalist proponents of Joel Osteen�s practices have stated that the money for his lifestyle has not come from his church. That is a statement based on a partial truth. The true part is that he has not drawn a direct salary from the church since 2005. It might be appropriate to put that into context. Osteen did in fact draw a hefty salary from the church for many years up until the point he declined it. His last direct church salary was reported to be $200,000-a-year. To put that into perspective, the average house income for Houston in 2009 was approximately $42,945 (Census Data). From his church salary alone, he was making nearly 5 times that average household figure per year. Despite the lavishness of Osteen�s church salary, time has shown us where the greater value existed. The most significant value was and is in Joel�s following. He had already been the star of the church TV show since October 3, 1999. By 2005, his television viewership fan base had helped to propel his then-current book �Your Best Life Now� to number one on the New York Times� Best Seller List for more than a year. During that time, he not only realized where the real future potential existed, but had also been using his church income for some successful secular business ventures. Things were going great, and they were about to get better. Due to the success of �Your Best Life Now�, there were already talks of a follow-up book that would net him well over $10 million. It was an ideal time to give up his church salary. In return, the token gesture has earned him bragging rights and a heightened sense of credibility in the evangelical community.
I made a trip to the famed Lakewood Church to discover first-hand just what the big �to do� was all about. Notably, I didn't notice any crosses. However, there was a very large globe decorative piece. During the service, Joel Osteen said everything anyone would want to hear! He told everyone in attendance how we are all blessed, have potential, and how success is just waiting for one thing� us. According to his speech, all anyone has to do is kinda help things along, and just be ready in general. The sermon was seemingly inspirational, and felt like a pep rally or motivational conference. Toward the end, we were handed some rather deep collection plates to deposit our monies into. On my way out of this church, it was hard to miss a huge glaring gift shop full of merchandise. Lakewood Church makes more than $75 million in revenue each year. Osteen sells DVDs, books, and christian wares. There are other products in the store as well, but Osteen�s merchandise clearly stands out, especially his books. His bibliography is undeniable and altogether impressive. His list of books is growing, and so is his platform for selling them. As I stared into this Lakewood Church gift store, which was inundated with its pastor�s merchandise, I thought to myself �This guy is really good�.
Later on, I proceeded to watch a couple of Joel�s interviews. Like a politician, his words are carefully crafted as to not offend a potential customer or bring about a negative opinion. He speaks much in the way a public relations professional would. He avoids hot button issues, concentrates on his positive points, and is vague when pressed to address something controversial. He truly is living the American dream, and for that I commend him. He is one of the greatest salesman of our time. Reportedly, Joel and his wife Victoria are actively seeking a lucrative reality television deal. The feel good TV show would likely be chock-full of missions for unity, with a sense of pride in giving. The Osteens would be portrayed as generous spiritual leaders. However, reality television has been shown time and again to not be as real as previously thought of. For a televangelist so ambitiously presenting such a befitting public image, his societal disconnect could be considered as formidable as it is perplexing. Still, a new TV show with a message of giving would certainly appear to be a good public influence.
Before his sermons, Joel Osteen does a 'this is my bible' bit. During this ritual, he has his audience repeat back what he says. In first-person narrative, the congregation recites about how they are about to be taught God's word, coming from inside those bible covers. Today, the New International Version is the most popular selling bible. It was published in the 1970's, but isn't as accurate to original translation as the King James Version. This has been noted by biblical scholars, such as N. T. Wright. The following scriptural quotes are from the King James Bible. I have listed these scriptures only to demonstrate the contradiction between Osteen�s pastoral lifestyle and prosperity message, and what it is purported to represent:
Mark 10:25: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
John 2:16: "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."
Luke 12:33: "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth."
Matthew 19:24: "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
1 John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
How officious and self-serving to preach 'Your Best Life Now' sermons, label it biblical, and proclaim to be delivering the righteous word of God; it's quite convenient to then head back to a swanky compound, not far from destitutes. According to the 2010 annual report by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston, there are 9,692 homeless people on any given night in Harris County. These people need more than prophetic dispatch. It takes resources and tangible help. Ironically, people with very limited resources are often the first to monetarily support well-off church leaders. Where is the rationale?
Joel Osteen gives people around the world inspiration, hope, and a positive outlook on life. However, I can't help but to consider the cost. Many of his followers listen to his every promise, and financially support him in return. Promises of health, wealth, and happiness are a driving motivation. Be that as it may, Osteen's message could mostly be planting false hopes, and misleading people in general. Surely, a person in his role has considerable responsibilities. I can�t answer the $10.5 million question, but I would like to put a realistic picture in people�s minds. As I�ve noticed, most of his followers honestly believe he�s just an average Joe, living in a modest home, driving an older but reliable car. That is just not the case. He is a powerful king in the industry of God inc. He sits on his throne at the crossroad of Religion St. and Commerce Blvd.
View Profile History God is big business! Just ask Joel Osteen who lives in this nearly $10.5 million mansion house! So what is the ten and a half million dollar question? Maybe the question is �Should a televangelist be living like Scrooge McDuck in such a high-priced home, while poverty stricken people literally beg for change down the street from this prestigious neighborhood?".
Posted : 21 Jan, 2012 06:26 AM
Is it indeed so very hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, and yet are men so anxious to become rich, and so much disposed to envy the rich, and to count them happy?
Jesus eliminated the eye for an eye laws and commanded us to always offer up the other cheek and to love {See Matt 5:38-48} our enemies. And of course Jesus eliminated all sacrifices and offerings for sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Jesus also eliminated the earthly rewards for faithful service and commanded us to sell our possessions and give to the poor and get TREASURES IN HEAVEN and **THEN** to come follow Him!
Luke 12:33,34: Jesus says, �Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted....For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.�
Matthew 20:20-24: �All these {Commandments} I have kept, the young man said. �What do I still lack?� Jesus answered, �If you want to be perfect, go, sell tour possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. **THEN** come, follow Me.� When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus says, �It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.�
Luke 6:20: Jesus says �Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.�
2 Corinthians 6:4-10: As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love, in truthful speech and in the power of God; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; *POOR*, yet making many rich; *HAVING NOTHING*; and yet possessing everything.�
Matthew 19:27-30: Peter said to Jesus, �We have left EVERYTHING to follow you! What then will there be for us?� Jesus says, �I tell you the Truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me {Including Paul}will also sit on 12 thrones...And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive 100 times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last {In this life}will be first.� And there will be plenty of room for 100 houses and 100 fields in the New Jerusalem since it will be over 1377 miles long and wide and high.
I John 2:3-5: �We know that we have come to know Him if we *OBEY HIS COMMANDS*. The man who says, �I know him,� but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.�
I Timothy 6:5-10: There are men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with Contentment is great gain....If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.�
The early saints followed these commands of Jesus and the NT Covenant:
Acts 2:44,45: "*ALL* the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
Acts 4:32:"*ALL* the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.":applause::angel::peace:
View Profile History God is big business! Just ask Joel Osteen who lives in this nearly $10.5 million mansion house! So what is the ten and a half million dollar question? Maybe the question is �Should a televangelist be living like Scrooge McDuck in such a high-priced home, while poverty stricken people literally beg for change down the street from this prestigious neighborhood?".
