What do you think about Joel Osteen and his Church?
What do you think about Joel Osteen? Is he a real Pastor or one of those prosperity TV preachers making money hand over fist selling his books, CDs and DVDs?
Those the Bible talk about making money? Is the rich going to Heaven? Is Joel Osteen a Christian? Is Lakewood Church a real Church or a Motivational Weekly Seminar?
What do you think?
Those the Bible talk about making money? Is the rich going to Heaven? Is Joel Osteen a Christian? Is Lakewood Church a real Church or a Motivational Weekly Seminar?
What do you think?
Tags: and, chris, church, god, joel, lakewood, lily, making, osteen, preaching
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by tom ryder on
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Joel olsteen.....let's see....where should I start.....Weak,watered down,defeated doctrine teaching,came as you are(as long as you have your wallet), God will make you finacially rich......just a few of my thoughts off the top of my head....I'm not judging him but I know the message he spreads is a false doctrine.
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Permalink Reply by Dan on -
Well if he brings at least one person to Christ then what he does is certainly worth it. I wish he would quote more from the Bible instead of giving pep speeches though. It's God's word that is important, not his. As far as his making money goes I think he should spend more of it on the poor instead of building these giant, elaborate, multi-million dollar churches. If he's making money as a spiritual leader then he should at least act accordingly and use his proceeds to help the needy. There are many churches that do the same thing. I do understand that building more churches is supposed to increase membership and bring more people to the Lord. However, how are the destitute supposed to attend these services? Isn't their salvation just as important as everyone elses? Imagine not having a TV, phone, car or decent clothes. Does that mean that that person gets excluded? Let's make sure everyone has an opportunity to get to church or at least watch it on TV before we go spending millions building new churches.
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Permalink Reply by Chris and Lily Stevenson on -
The only way to bring the word of God to the needy and help the needy is to go there directly to the needy and help them and spread the word.
Is Joel Osteen's Church involved in Missionary work? I have no idea but I would think so.
Building a HUGE Mega Church is great but as you say it does not mean a thing if you do not preach the word of God and bring people to Christ, I believe Joel Osteen is bringing thousands to Christ and those who come to Christ may decide one day to go to Haiti, Africa, China, India or any other needy country of both food and the word of God and go make a difference. To compare spending money on a Church and giving it to the needy really does not make any sense.
There is NO sin in making money as most of us will agree, however how you make it and what you do with it is what matters. God is concerned with your heart not your bank account.
Spending millions on building a Mega Christian Bible reading Church... good or bad? I believe it a good investment in the work of the Lord. Is a Church measured by its size? Is it measured by how many verses are said during it services or is it measured by how many people come to Christ. I think none of these. What do you think?
Does Joel Osteen have MANY Mega Churches? I just know of the one in Texas.
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Permalink Reply by Dan on
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The thing is, Joel is selling his books using God as a selling point. If Joel was not a religious leader then no one would care what Joel said. Basically, it's really God that is making the money. Should Joel pocket some of that, sure. He spent the time writing the book. But then shouldn't he also use some of that money to help the poor? I think so. We're expected to tythe from our meager wages. Why can't he from his vast wealth? Jesus said that when we have a feast we should not invite our family but instead the poor. I think this applies to everyone, including Joel.
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Permalink Reply by Chris and Lily Stevenson on
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Well that is my question, who knows if Joel Osteen and his Church gives to the poor or not? I am guess YES, I would think so. How much does he give I have no idea only God knows that, so you can not judge a person by how much money he makes, but what he does with it and if you do not know what he does with it then you can not judge.
Do you agree?
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Permalink Reply by TruthSeeker JAM on -
How much $$$ does one need?! If a Christian is very wealthy and sees needs all around them, then what should they do?
Having bought into the non-N.T. tithing false doctrine for many years, I've found 'the truth'---all I have belongs to God and I give as He directs me. 'Giving' is N.T., including support of your local Pastor: but, not to see any other needs and still be lead by the Lord doesnt make sense! I try to take more personal responsibility instead of just handing my paycheck over to a church to distribute.
But back to Joel and his 'millions' as has been reported----it is private what he and his wife do in meeting ppl's needs. There are many stories of wealthy ppl, like Mr. Hershey, who gave 90% and lived on 10%! I may be wrong, but I think that Rick Warren does the same(?!)
Remember, "For to whom much is given, much is reqd." And dont let ppl who use the copout of what Jesus said, "The poor you will have with you always" also use that as an excuse not to 'try' to help the poor as well as the 'aliens (ref to non-citizens back then), widows & orphans.' But do so in private so that you will not lose your heavenly reward....
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Permalink Reply by Chris and Lily Stevenson on
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TruthSeeker,
I agree 100%! We own nothing, it is all God's, all of it, your money, your house, your car.. everything is God's, it belongs to him. We are just stewards, we own nothing, even our very lives is his to give and take away.
The wonderful truth is, God is LOVING God, he cares for us, even each hair on our heads he counts!
To Give is to be like God as he has given us so much already.
There are plenty of "rich" people in the world that Love the Lord and give plenty, yes Rick Warren gives 90% and even he still gets flack from many Christians.
There are plenty of "rich" peolpe who give as well, but they give to show off to man, not from the heart, we know who they are too and their reward they will receive according to their hearts or lack of heart.
Even peope who are not "rich" give and do not give, even the poor can give. We all can give 10% if you only have a dollar, you can give 10 cents.
Again Joel Osteen I believe, but of course not certain gives much not just in money but in hope in God, he preaches success not making money. One man's success is different from anothers.
My goal is to make just enough extra money a month so that my pregnant wife Lily can stay home with our children and we can home school our kids.
Lily works full-time she makes a certian amount of money a month, if I can substitute that income with a home based business then I will be VERY happy. I am not looking to change my lifestyle I am looking to change my life and my families life so my Wife the mother of my children can raise my kids not some stranger or the government. Going forward I would also like to come home too!!
One Goal at a time.....
Thanks again TruthSeeker JAM for you words of wisdom, God Bless you all!
Chris Stevenson
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Permalink Reply by TruthSeeker JAM on
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Thx, Chris, and to you and Lily it sounds like you two have got a handle on what many if not most Christians never understand or discover---our 'Liberty' in Christ Jesus! Paul talked about how they (the Jews under the Law) tried to 'spy out their (the believers) liberty by which Christ Jesus has set us free;" such as what you eat and drink---but as the scripture says, "It's not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of his mouth." We are free of the old Laws of the flesh and now submit to the new Law of the Spirit. Which means, we are led by the Spirit---including in our stewardship of all that He has given us.
The key to N.T. giving is to give with a cheerful heart, and not begrudgingly! If giving the O.T. tithe, which is an O.T. Law that if one wants to put themselves under it is their choice, then if (& when) finances get tight, the believer will be giving begrudgingly---that is NOT God's desire. God's loves a cheerful ('hilarious') giver. Give that amount that you and your wife agree upon and that you both can give with joy, and God will bless it. Since per the Word, obedience (to the Spirit) is better than sacrifice.....God's best to you both. JAM
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Permalink Reply by Celebrating Sterling on -
Whenever I am in Houston (I pray they find relief soon from theire present suffering) for work, I make sure I am there on Wednesday so I can attend Lakewood. I enjoyed reading your discoussion of Joel Osteen. I find his church uplifting and it does not make me forget the suffering He endured. I don't feel any pressure to give to that church and I am not looking to God to meak me rich. I am already rich in the Spirit. I think Joel is man and is not perfect, but noone is. He does much good work and some that could be better.
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Permalink Reply by Michael on
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The message Joel Osteen speaks is not the true Gospel of Christ. The true Gospel of Christ comes with trial, hardship and persecution-not health, not wealth and not wise. The message of the Gospel is foolish, and it is an offense to the sinner. We should not be seek the wealth of this world, for our wealth will come in the age to come
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Permalink Reply by cmyfriends on -
Most religious leaders, have a way of attracting people because they make them feel good about themselves. Also promising financial success, to those who listens to them.
CMyFriends - friends, friend, locations, messages, message, geocode...
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Permalink Reply by Dan on
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I think Joel is a great motivational speaker. He does give really good advice to deal with life's everyday problems. Unfortunately, the things he says don't always jibe with what the Bible says or means. There is always the potential that he may lead some people astray. However, if he inspires sinners to pick up and read the Blble then what he's doing isn't so bad. The Word is the truth. If people, including the membes of his church, deigned to actually read the Bible themselves, they could decipher the fact from the fiction. They would know when Joel is full of himself or when he's accurately translating verse. Man is never perfect and will always make mistakes. This includes pious church leaders. If you want answers, God has them in the Bible just waiting to be read.
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