((WOW)) JOEL OSTEEN Says he is Shunning the Lavish Lifetyle!!!

[Thad]

orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-osteen2907nov29,0,5322435.story?coll=orl_tab01_lay out

OrlandoSentinel.com



Televangelist Joel Osteen shuns lavish lifestyle, visits Orlando today and FridayMark I. Pinsky

Sentinel Staff Writer

November 29, 2007



If the evangelical world is looking for a poster child to offset the negative publicity surrounding rich televangelists, Joel Osteen would be a good choice.
Osteen is among the nation's most widely recognized television ministers, trailing only Billy Graham and Rick Warren, and in 2006 was named the most influential Christian in America by readers of Church Report magazine. A best-selling author of religious and inspirational books, Osteen brings his rock-star status to Orlando tonight and Friday at Amway Arena.

The contrast is stark between Osteen and the six televangelists suspected by Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley of living lavish lifestyles -- large estates, vacation homes, exotic trips, luxury cars and private jets -- at the expense of their tax-exempt television ministries. Among the accused are Paula and Randy White of Tampa, and Benny Hinn, formerly of Orlando.

Author Herbert E. Brown, in his 2001 book, characterized such high-living pastors as "pimps in the pulpit."

Osteen lives a much different life.

He has not taken a salary from his Houston megachurch for two years. He owns one house -- the same one he and his wife, Victoria, have lived in for 13 years -- and until recently he drove a 9-year-old car he inherited from his late father. Osteen pays his own hotel bills, and there is no private jet.

Although the upbeat minister does take collections at services, netting an estimated $43 million a year, Osteen does not ask for money on his broadcasts, which reach an estimated 7 million viewers weekly in the U.S. and 100 other countries. Nonetheless, an additional $30 million comes through the mail. His most recent book deal earned him a $13 million advance.

"We make plenty of money from our books," said Osteen, 44. "But we just live normal lives. We try to be conservative and honor God with our life and with our example."

Osteen refuses to condemn the targets of Grassley's inquiry, or Richard Roberts, who quit as president of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., amid charges that he used school funds and facilities for his family.

"While I never like to hear negative things about friends and other ministers, I choose to believe the very best in them," Osteen said.

Osteen leads the 48,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston. Services border on the nonsectarian, with no crosses in evidence. Osteen's theology is more inspirational than theological, with a strong emphasis on self-help, in the feel-good tradition of Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller. Osteen speaks from a lectern he prefers to call a "podium," rather than a "pulpit." His books are filled with lots of exclamation points, but the word Jesus rarely appears.

Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, sold millions of copies. His latest, Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day, is on The New York Times best-seller list, and propelled him onto 60 Minutes and Larry King Live, as well as several magazine covers.

In his new book, Osteen points to himself as an example of unlocking hidden potential. A college dropout, he preached for the first time when his father, who founded Lakewood Church, became ill and later died. For the preceding 17 years, Joel Osteen had worked behind the scenes in production at the television ministry.

The success of these books raises questions about how religious figures should handle the millions of dollars in royalties and contributions.

Osteen is not the only prominent religious figure who tries to navigate these issues and, by doing so, differentiate himself from such controversies.

Warren, for example, has repaid every dollar he has earned in the pulpit of Saddleback Church in Orange County, Calif., and pledged to give away 90 percent of his book royalties. He accepts no speaking fees and is not as reluctant as Osteen to criticize those who are less altruistic.

"The opulent lifestyles of televangelists make me sick," said Warren, of those ministries now under investigation. The scandals, he said, flow from the "prosperity gospel" that many televangelists preach.

"Success in any area often creates a spirit of entitlement -- 'I deserve this' -- that is the exact opposite of servant leadership," Warren said.

Osteen agrees, offering his own definition of the prosperity gospel: "I never preach a message on money," he said. "I do believe that God wants us to be blessed, to have good marriages, to have peace in our minds, to have health, to have money to pay our bills. I think God wants us to excel. But everyone isn't going to be rich -- if we're talking about money."

Mark I. Pinsky can be reached at mpinsky@orlandosentinel.com

[Thad]

another surprise-


Rick warn says that TV Evangelist living lavish lifestyles makes him sick?

[HeavenlyOne]

His books are filled with lots of exclamation points, but the word Jesus rarely appears.

This is the saddest part of that report. I like Joel, but I wish he'd lift up Jesus more than lifting up those in his congregation.

[revrandy]

I'm impressed...

[Thad]

I'm impressed...



randy?? TIC or serious??

[Pastor Keith]

another surprise-


Rick warn says that TV Evangelist living lavish lifestyles makes him sick?

Another reason to like Rick Warren.

[Thad]

Another reason to like Rick Warren.





I'm not a fan of either's watered down gospel, but surely they deserve credit for trying to portray a more low key lifestyle.

[revrandy]

I'm not a fan of either's watered down gospel, but surely they deserve credit for trying to portray a more low key lifestyle.

I can appreciate principled men even if I don't agree with them...

That's why some of our group could probably take some lessons from them...

[RevBuddy]

I find the comment, "Osteen's theology is more inspirational than theological, with a strong emphasis on self-help, in the feel-good tradition of Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller" very revealing, even for a journalist.

An inspirational doctrinal base that emphasizes "self-help..." now that's scary! If the trend continues, modern-day megachurches will evolve into gigantic congregations worshipping themselves and/or their leaders.

Sad, really.

[Sandra]

I love Rick and Joel... They may say they don't like lavishly, but I beg to differ.
The reason we don't know how they live is they don't speak about it or teach on prosperity.
They are both millionares ,they both live Large and I think its A-OK. They have sold millions of books, they should enjoy their wealth. I know they are givers also.... Joel Osteen gave a church I sang at Sunday Night $500,000.00 after Katrina.

[dizzyde]

I don't know what Joel Osteen preaches/talks about in his crusades, but I receive his daily devotional e-mails, and they are not ambiguous regarding God or the Bible. They start with a verse and follow with a thought that always refers to God multiple times. So I am a little confused about all the criticism regarding his approach.

[SDG]

I love Rick and Joel... They may say they don't like lavishly, but I beg to differ.
The reason we don't know how they live is they don't speak about it or teach on prosperity.
They are both millionares ,they both live Large and I think its A-OK. They have sold millions of books, they should enjoy their wealth. I know they are givers also.... Joel Osteen gave a church I sang at Sunday Night $500,000.00 after Katrina.

Joel Osteen doesn't preach on prosperity???? Lol.

[Sandra]

Joel Osteen doesn't preach on prosperity???? Lol.

Well, thats not his message. He tells us little stories:D

[Pastor G]

Well, thats not his message. He tells us little stories:D

It's all super skim milk... But it is all he knows...

[RevBuddy]

Paleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese.....

[SDG]

Time Magazine: Does God Want You To Be Rich?

A growing number of Protestant evangelists raise a joyful Yes! But the idea is poison to other, more mainstream pastors
By DAVID VAN BIEMA, JEFF CHU

When George Adams lost his job at an Ohio tile factory last October, the most practical thing he did, he thinks, was go to a new church, even though he had to move his wife and four preteen boys to Conroe, a suburb of Houston, to do it. Conroe, you see, is not far from Lakewood, the home church of megapastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen.

Osteen's relentlessly upbeat television sermons had helped Adams, 49, get through the hard times, and now Adams was expecting the smiling, Texas-twanged 43-year-old to help boost him back toward success. And Osteen did. Inspired by the preacher's insistence that one of God's top priorities is to shower blessings on Christians in this lifetime--and by the corollary assumption that one of the worst things a person can do is to expect anything less--Adams marched into Gullo Ford in Conroe looking for work. He didn't have entry-level aspirations: "God has showed me that he doesn't want me to be a run-of-the-mill person," he explains. He demanded to know what the dealership's top salesmen made--and got the job. Banishing all doubt--"You can't sell a $40,000-to-$50,000 car with menial thoughts"--Adams took four days to retail his first vehicle, a Ford F-150 Lariat with leather interior. He knew that many fellow salesmen don't notch their first score until their second week. "Right now, I'm above average!" he exclaims. "It's a new day God has given me! I'm on my way to a six-figure income!" The sales commission will help with this month's rent, but Adams hates renting. Once that six-figure income has been rolling in for a while, he will buy his dream house: "Twenty-five acres," he says. "And three bedrooms. We're going to have a schoolhouse (his children are home schooled). We want horses and ponies for the boys, so a horse barn. And a pond. And maybe some cattle."

"I'm dreaming big--because all of heaven is dreaming big," Adams continues. "Jesus died for our sins. That was the best gift God could give us," he says. "But we have something else. Because I want to follow Jesus and do what he ordained, God wants to support us. It's Joel Osteen's ministry that told me. Why would an awesome and mighty God want anything less for his children?"


CONTINUED ....

[SDG]

Article removed due to copyrights

Finish article here.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...533448,00.html

Makes you wonder if this new Osteen story has been put out by his publicist. Perhaps to avoid a Senate inquiry?

[Sandra]

I want to be RICH... I have so much I want to do in UGANDA!! We have 30 children now, I want a campus to house 1000. It will take money to do that.

[SDG]

Finish article here.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1533448,00.html

Makes you wonder if this new Osteen story has been put out by his publicist. Perhaps to avoid a Senate inquiry?

[Pastor G]

I want to be RICH... I have so much I want to do in UGANDA!! We have 30 children now, I want a campus to house 1000. It will take money to do that.

You will have it too...

[SDG]

I don't know what Joel Osteen preaches/talks about in his crusades, but I receive his daily devotional e-mails, and they are not ambiguous regarding God or the Bible. They start with a verse and follow with a thought that always refers to God multiple times. So I am a little confused about all the criticism regarding his approach.

His e-devotions might be chock full of the Word ... yet when I hear him preach on TV ... I go hungry.

[SDG]

Lord, I need a pair of crocodile shoes.!!!

[Pastor G]

I will tell you what, If he has 48,000 people and only $43 million a year comming in from the church family... He is not a very good prosperity preacher...

Of course I think the 48,000 is evangelistically speaking...

[Neck]

Follow he money it's there.

His ministry buys enough books when it first come out to put the book on the New York times best sellers list.

Then the rest of the public buys it because they think it is a good book.

Follow the money he has it!

[Sandra]

Follow he money it's there.

His ministry buys enough books when it first come out to put the book on the New York times best sellers list.
Then the rest of the public buys it because they think it is a good book.

Follow the money he has it!

this practice is not justwith christian books but with many books, very common.

[crakjak]

I don't know what Joel Osteen preaches/talks about in his crusades, but I receive his daily devotional e-mails, and they are not ambiguous regarding God or the Bible. They start with a verse and follow with a thought that always refers to God multiple times. So I am a little confused about all the criticism regarding his approach.

Hey Diz, when you are out front you are a target. What folks on this forum judge JO on is what they see from a long way off, they DO NOT have the complete picture. His TV ministry is for getting the attention of screwed up human beings who are beat up on every turn. If a person can get a healthy view of who they are as a person, then they can grow, until then they are just another piece of the mindless masses, perishing and wasting away. Let God speak to you from those devotions, the Holy Spirit will help you to separate the precious from the vile.

[Pastor G]

Hey Diz, when you are out front you are a target. What folks on this forum judge JO on is what they see from a long way off, they DO NOT have the complete picture. His TV ministry is for getting the attention of screwed up human beings who are beat up on every turn. If a person can get a healthy view of who they are as a person, then they can grow, until then they are just another piece of the mindless masses, perishing and wasting away. Let God speak to you from those devotions, the Holy Spirit will help you to separate the precious from the vile.

I agree that Diz should let the scripture inspire her and the Holy Ghost will guide...

But is me thinking I am ok in my sin and that God will bless me in my sin a healthy view of myself?

[dizzyde]

Hey Diz, when you are out front you are a target. What folks on this forum judge JO on is what they see from a long way off, they DO NOT have the complete picture. His TV ministry is for getting the attention of screwed up human beings who are beat up on every turn. If a person can get a healthy view of who they are as a person, then they can grow, until then they are just another piece of the mindless masses, perishing and wasting away. Let God speak to you from those devotions, the Holy Spirit will help you to separate the precious from the vile.

I had the same thought about this, that the TV stuff is to get people to take a look at their lives, and then the meatier stuff can follow.

I agree that Diz should let the scripture inspire her and the Holy Ghost will guide...

But is me thinking I am ok in my sin and that God will bless me in my sin a healthy view of myself?


I'm going to assume that you aren't referring to me specifically?

[crakjak]

I agree that Diz should let the scripture inspire her and the Holy Ghost will guide...

But is me thinking I am ok in my sin and that God will bless me in my sin a healthy view of myself?

No, but coming to spiritual maturity is a process, not a instantaneous occurrence.

[Pastor G]

I had the same thought about this, that the TV stuff is to get people to take a look at their lives, and then the meatier stuff can follow.




I'm going to assume that you aren't referring to me specifically?

Oh no, sorry if it sounded that way...

[Pastor G]

No, but coming to spiritual maturity is a process, not a instantaneous occurrence.

I understand that but you can't even be spiritually immature, felling right in your sin...

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Will JO now be a featured preacher at BOTT or is that only the John Maxwell Propersity Preaching Place?

[CC1]

I can appreciate principled men even if I don't agree with them...

That's why some of our group could probably take some lessons from them...

This does it. Now you have stepped over the line and obviously "gone charismatic".

The only thing trinitarans ever wrote worth reading is the Readers Digest and Louis LaMour books. Oh,and....er....translated the bible. You should know this!:bliss

[dizzyde]

Oh no, sorry if it sounded that way...

No problem, like I said, I assumed that you weren't, just wanted to clarify. Thought maybe you knew something about me that I didn't! :lol

[simplyme]

I agree that Diz should let the scripture inspire her and the Holy Ghost will guide...

But is me thinking I am ok in my sin and that God will bless me in my sin a healthy view of myself?

No..so stop that!
:D

No seriously you have a good point there, and see I listen to his televised so-called services or 'sermons'(?) I cannot call them sermons, but they are more like devotionals, or better yet, INSPIRATIONAL talks using parts of scripture that are more positive, possibly 'faith builders'..or "faith extenders" reminders of GOD's goodness, how we should apply His word to our lives, etc.,
but they DO leave out GOD's righteous judgment(s) and many that listen, or even attend his 'church'(?) may perish for lack of this knowledge., he doesn't mention salvation but at the end of every show, he offers people the opportunity to make JESUS the LORD of their lives. (easy believism) baptism is never mentioned.

[simplyme]

As for "shunning" the lavish lifestyle?
That may be that he is not AS extravagant as the others, with bling to spare, lol
BUT I doubt he lives a really HUMBLE lifestyle, such as you or I., (well me for sure :D ) I remember specifically one I listened to where he talked about how his wife was dreaming about a house that they happened to walk by, years ago, early in their marriage, how she told him that one day they would have a big new house like that., and he just shook his head., not quite wanting to believe that., but not directly disagreeing with her.
NOW, he said, indeed they had one exactly like that., and he attributed that to GOD's goodness in rewarding them for their ministry.

[crakjak]

I understand that but you can't even be spiritually immature, felling right in your sin...

What.....?

[Blubayou]

I have briefly listened to his talks on TV. I was not impressed. They were very lightweight in substance, easy to listen to, but nothing to sink your teeth into.

[crakjak]

No..so stop that!
:D

No seriously you have a good point there, and see I listen to his televised so-called services or 'sermons'(?) I cannot call them sermons, but they are more like devotionals, or better yet, INSPIRATIONAL talks using parts of scripture that are more positive, possibly 'faith builders'..or "faith extenders" reminders of GOD's goodness, how we should apply His word to our lives, etc.,
but they DO leave out GOD's righteous judgment(s) and many that listen, or even attend his 'church'(?) may perish for lack of this knowledge., he doesn't mention salvation but at the end of every show, he offers people the opportunity to make JESUS the LORD of their lives. (easy believism) baptism is never mentioned.

It kinda hard to baptise a tv audience, so the best approach is to try hookem on the goodness of God, so that they will turn to Him and seek to know Him.

To know God is to love Him and to obey Him, so maybe we should pray for JO to be led of God, since He certainly has the audience.

[Rev]

I find the comment, "Osteen's theology is more inspirational than theological, with a strong emphasis on self-help, in the feel-good tradition of Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller" very revealing, even for a journalist.

An inspirational doctrinal base that emphasizes "self-help..." now that's scary! If the trend continues, modern-day megachurches will evolve into gigantic congregations worshipping themselves and/or their leaders.

Sad, really.

Indeed!

[crakjak]

I have briefly listened to his talks on TV. I was not impressed. They were very lightweight in substance, easy to listen to, but nothing to sink your teeth into.

Right it is missing that old hard, guilt ridden, scare the hell out of you preaching.:tease "

"Come to Me, and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, My yoke is easy and My burden is light," said Jesus.

[dptexas]

When...... if ever......... will the one's with so much judgement, because it's not their way or their organization or their specific doctrine, learn and read the Word of God (there are more scriptural truths than Acts 2:39)and realize that other people are truly doing a work for God different than the way (the judgers) thought and think it has to be. Do you really realize how many people have been brought to Jesus Christ through the ministry of Lakewood and Joel Osteen. Do you stop and think about how many people have been touched by that "SOft Gospel" but then brought into deeper gosple and a relationship with GOD.... Oh and by the way, extravagence in lifestyle..... how about that 6000 square foot house that was for Jean Urshan and her caregiver, and about the other Preachers who always had large better houses than anyone in their church, who took all the tithes and answered to noone for it, who had absolutley no accountability to anyone.....but they weren't TV preachers so I guess that made it alright........Get some sense people and stop your sinning........because when you are gossipping and criticizing and judgeing your brother...You Are Sinning.....

[dptexas]

Article removed due to copyrights

Finish article here.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...533448,00.html

Makes you wonder if this new Osteen story has been put out by his publicist. Perhaps to avoid a Senate inquiry?

Daniel, you don't even know the man...just going by what you hear and read..
Oh and by the way, you say you are the most Apostolic.....Well if my memory serves me correctly, in the apostolic movement, a Apostolic would never be seen or photographed in a pair of shorts or a swimsuit, and certainly would not put up the picture for everyone to see.....

[DividedThigh]

well they dont have to have a big church to suck the people dry i know some small preachers who do that not, dt