Some preachers are excellent motivational speakers - Are they called by god to be a blessing to people or are they slick oppurtunist?

 

 

 

 

   Joel Olsteen, T.D. Jakes, Bill Winston and the Preachers of LA are just some of the men that bring words of hope, peace and prosperity to many people all over the world. There is no question that these individuals have the gift of gab. The question is, whether these men are called by God or just  men who are opportunist. Now, when I say this, I am looking at this realistically.

 

   We live in a time where there are many people who claim to exist for the purpose of being a blessing to others. In reality, they are people who put up "fronts" for the purpose of benefiting themselves. American Greed is a program that highlights people who are con men and women. These people use the assets of others to live fabulous lifestyles.

 

   I was a musician for over 30 years. In that time, I spent much of it playing for many churches. I was around many preachers. All of them at one point in time or another asked for money. One pastor I had encountered not only asked members of the congregation for money, but their food stamps. The money and food stamps were to be used for the benefit of the church. I had no way of knowing if the money and food stamps were really used for that purpose. 

 

   In the case of the preachers I mentioned earlier, they ask for financial help from people all over the world. These preachers have huge churches, congregations, nice personal vehicles, clothes, homes and large bank accounts. If my memory and knowledge serve me correctly, Jesus went around the known world in secret preaching the Gospel. He didn't have fine clothes. He didn't travel in style. He certainly didn't posses vast sums of money.

 

   So, are these preachers with television programs and mega churches "for real"? Can they be trusted? Or are they just like the people featured on American Greed who prey on the weaknesses of others? I am a trusting person by nature, but I can't help but wonder about these so called" men of God". I probably would feel better if they didn't have so many assets.

 

   I will be examining each of the preachers I mentioned in this piece in later works. So, stay tuned.