Christian Living

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The world is offended to see a successful preacher living the good life. What’s more, there are some Christians equally vexed at such a situation. There is a certain feeling that Christ-likeness is the equivalent of poverty or a hard life. Will a person criticise a pastor when they both live in a council estate? Will a person have a problem when a preacher drives a Ford Ka? How about a preacher on welfare?

The probing question we all need to answer may be this: Should a man not be rewarded for his labours? Answering in the affirmative clearly contravenes Scripture (1). Additionally, we are reminded: “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (2). To this we may add: “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things” (3). Perhaps, we should throw in another text: “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits” (4).

The perdurable debate and polemic discussions about Christians and wealth, and in particular the wealth of pastors seems unlikely to abate. Will we ever have any form of commonsense armistice on the subject? Unfortunately, a realistic position may very well be that the church will never agree on the subject of wealth. The glaring divide will continue to deepen anytime the subject is broached, until we fully understand the true spirit of Scripture. And this will be no mean feat as both proponents and opponents lay claim to the same Bible to corroborate their stance.

While this article mentions Joel Osteen, in a way, it does not only focus on him. There are other mega church pastors who command such a large personal fortune—even if we are told it belongs to the church.

Joel Osteen, without doubt, is one preacher with a lot of critics—both internal and external. There are pastors who are perhaps jealous anytime they see his congregation and the fact that any book he releases becomes a huge bestseller. Furthermore, there is another group who are equally puzzled at how someone who has not been to seminary should have such a large following. In fact, almost everything about him does not escape criticism from a certain boisterous critique band. While some of the torrent of criticism that he receives are mild, others are altogether scathing and withering. It appears there is a bunch waiting for his next slip to use as fodder for their questionable purpose. People will have to decide whether that is the right path they ought to take. Nevertheless, from a certain angle, it very much appears that he seems to get better with time: his charm offensive and impressive humility shows no signs of wilting. Surely there must be something going right for him. For his reported personal fortune and the bad press that televangelists receive; it’s surprising we never see him asking for money on TV, and if reports are true, he stopped receiving a salary from his church in 2005.

However, the attacks on him with regards to doctrine are another Pandora’s box. Some remain aggrieved he does not teach theology, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, philosophy, eschatology etc. Recently his wife has also come in for a flurry of criticism about something she said (or should not have said in the way she chose to say it). Nevertheless, it seems anyone in the public eye may as well concede they are in the eye of the storm.

Personally, I have watched Pastor Osteen, and while I may not agree with everything he says—or only restrict myself to an area of ministry—I wonder whether perhaps he is using the talent that he was given. Should we expect him to give what he does not have? Or expect him to teach what he does not feel inclined to? If a preacher were to preach—or felt led to preach—only salvation, Sunday after Sunday, would he come in for much criticism? Nonetheless, if I had the privilege to talk to Joel, I might suggest a bit more breadth (and perhaps variety) in his sermons considering the multifarious subjects covered by the Bible; but that will only be graciously and lovingly done from an angle of a brother wanting to help another brother, and not a captious critic interested in finding fault.

But Joel has his supporters—and they are many! Yes, judging by the audience he pulls in every week, the man must be doing something right. Sure, he must be—nobody runs such a large organisation by a freak accident; there must be diligent application, concerted effort, and demanding sacrifices going on behind the scenes. Now, while mere crowds and undeniable wealth cannot be equated with success—remembering that there is something called “good success” (5)—Mr. Osteen’s message surely has a place. Indeed, I am of the opinion that with the direction the world seems to be heading, a church in the mould of Lakewood will continue to grow and flourish. Why? Because they offer HOPE in a world where hope is vitally needed; it is a princely find—a desideratum par excellence.

Most people beaten, battered and bruised by life will definitely keep flocking to a church where they can find respite. It is in the verisimilitude of the biblical Adullam (6). Joel will offer you copious hope—the critics will argue it is false hope—rather than wrest the modicum you are clinging onto. Indeed, there are also many who find themselves in churches that are overly negative. Their focus is too much on evil. Sure, there is a place for this, but some are too skewed towards evil. The members of these churches will find a church like Lakewood very refreshing. After all, their focus very much seems to be on what God can do for you. And this no doubt is a major shift from certain denominations where it’s always about what the devil has done, is doing, or is about to do in a person’s life.

In a way, a Joel Osteen can be seen as a salesman selling in a shop. Now, while everyone feels—or expects—that a church should focus on every part of the Bible, it may be noted that every church does not preach the same thing, let alone the whole Bible: How many churches teach straight through Genesis to Revelation? The indubitable truth remains that we as a church do not agree on many things. Pause and think: If we did agree on the same things; why do we have so many denominations? Granted we have some things that unite us, but we also have many things that divide us. And these topics continue to fray and triturate ecumenical dreams.

Now, do not go to a fashion shop expecting to buy furniture. While this may be a trite example, it tells the story. Do not watch Joel Osteen or go to a church like Lakewood expecting to study about the nature, manifestations, and actions of demons, and how to cast them out. Be warned: you will be disappointed as that is not their focus. Go to a church that preaches what you want to learn. And a statement like this not fully and contextually understood is in itself controversial, considering what Paul taught about the last days and people heaping to themselves teachers, having itching ears (7). Ultimately you need to find yourself in a church where God wants you to be; and yet you have a say in the matter. You have a role to play in deciding where you go.

To all those who believe someone like Joel Osteen is doing more harm than good by the message that he preaches [forgetful what Paul taught (8)]; even if you are frustrated with the man—perhaps angry, judging by the bilious and opprobrious information online—here is a fail-safe suggestion for you: Pray for him! After all, none of us appointed him as a pastor. But also remember there are many who can testify how they have been blessed and are grateful to have encountered him. These should continue to thank God for his life, regardless of what others think or say. They should follow one blind man’s example in the Bible who testified saying: “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (9). Returning to the example above, don’t belligerently decry fashion shops just because you are in need of furniture. Remember, others do not need furniture but clothes on their back.

Perhaps, in the distant past, before spending time in the “university of ‘intentional’ solitude,” I may have written this article in a more judgemental and scarifying tone very much in agreement with the trenchant critics. Having undergone an internal transformation of the heart, my comments are more prayer-focused. Without doubt, another preacher is God’s servant. And to quote the words of Paul, “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” (10).

Finally, without adopting a position of blind judgement that is ignorance personified, we should pray for people like Joel Osteen to do what Paul prayed for Timothy and Archippus to do (11); and also for pastors like him to take a cue from Paul himself (12). On a wider scale, we should all follow the example of Amasiah, the son of Zichri (13).

Hopefully, when we do so, the cacophonous sounds and dissonant tunes that jar and mar our halcyon longing for vital unity and refreshing harmony will be stilled. And in a sense, we may yet move the discussions from a terminus of purpose in things, to seeing things as a means over and above sublunary purposes; and conclusively, as a relevant bridge over the canal in our quest for fulfilment of a yet more celestial aim and a truly ethereal objective.

Blessings,
R. B. Silverson

Rev. Dr. R. B. Silverson is president of RBSM (www.rbsmin.com); a ministry Informing, Motivating, and Transforming lives for God’s glory. He is the author of The 4 Most Important Prayers Guaranteed To Change You (Spirit & Word Press) available in October 2014. His second book, Tasty Dust is due to be released by the end of the year. You can write to him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @DrRBSilverson.

Notes
All text from the King James Version (KJV) unless otherwise advised.

1. 1 Timothy 5:17-18: 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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Luke 10:7: And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
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Matthew 10:10: Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

2. 1 Corinthians 9:14: Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

3. Galatians 6:6: Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

4. 2 Timothy 2:6: The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

5. Joshua 1:8: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

6. 1 Samuel 22:1-2: 1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

7. 2 Timothy 4:3-4: 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

8. Philippians 1:15-18: 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

9. John 9:25: He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

10. Romans 14:4: Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

11. 2 Timothy 4:5 New King James Version (NKJV): But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
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Colossians 4:17: And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

12. Acts 20:27 Amplified Bible (AMP): For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God.

13. 2 Chronicles 17:16: And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

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