Eighty Years

My first twenty years were years of  terror, agony and despair.  My second twenty years were of fear, disappointments and failures.  My next forty years will be years of joy, prosperity and peace – while helping others overcome my first forty.

Jealousy: Enemy to “Rich” Preachers

For many years I have kept silent when it comes to “rich” preachers and the constant bickering I hear from news articles, forums and radio & television interviews. I believe when all is said and done, those that have a problem with it are simply jealous. From that jealousy stems envy, which leads to complaining and crying, because that’s not the position these individuals are in. Before you know it, these same individuals become selfish in their thinking and you can even hear it in their speech. Instead of rejoicing in their success and well being and seeing the tremendous impact they are making in the lives of people, these miserable people conform to judging and speaking negative of these men of God.

Money-hungry preachers are out there I’m sure. History has even shown us that. I even heard of one minister that was more concerned about his “famous” status than what impact he will have on the people that are listening. Just because some of these preachers stoop to the lowest form of hypocrisy doesn’t mean I’m going to classify all preachers as having that same mindset. I have been guilty of feeling and thinking horrible opinions, not only towards “rich” or wealthy preachers, but also towards anyone that gained riches in some form or another. It’s amazing the things you can think about when evaluating someone that has a higher status than you, even when it comes to family members. But it still doesn’t give us the right to blame and speak harsh things about them, especially when we know little about them or their heart. Selfishly, we focus so much more on what we would do if we were so rich, yet as so many have done, we throw facts right out the window. We go from being selfish to living in assumption, which is the lowest form of knowledge.

Though I live an average lifestyle, I know a few very wealthy preachers. The big difference between these worldwide bashers of “rich” preachers and myself is the fact that I have been in the presence of their Ministry. I have lived with them, fellowshipped with them and heard their real heart on matters of life and people they care about. I have witnessed first-hand the days they were struggling just to get by, then to see all the wonderful things they have done for others when they were doing exceptionally well. You can read all the statistics you want and hear about all the laws of non-profit organizations and governmental taxes, but at the end of the day, if you haven’t seen or experienced a relationship with these “rich” preachers or have true evidential facts, you have no place to judge.

The two most common things I have heard in the continued debate of the morality of “rich” preachers are almost comedic. Should they possess that kind of money when there are many people in need? I have not heard anyone bash George Lucas, Brad Pitt, Steve Jobs, or Stephen King as to his wealth. But if a person that impacts more lives for the better than all of the above combined, you have a problem with that? You have an issue with a ministry that possesses millions of dollars, but you don’t have issues with companies such as Apple, Pepsi or Universal bringing in billions? I don’t have any problems with the individuals or companies I’ve mentioned. In fact, they are some of my favorites, but it is ludicrous to think and speak bad of a successful Church, Ministry or Preacher, yet you have nothing to say about anyone or company that is more successful? Someone’s success and wealth has nothing to do with the fact that there are many individuals with serious needs.

Then there is the all-famous statements, “He/She shouldn’t be driving those expensive cars and have expensive homes and shouldn’t be owning private jets. They should sell those things, even if they were given to them and give the money to the poor.” Anyone I have seen and heard make those statements are the same individuals that drive Benz’s, Lexus’ and Porches’ and live in very nice homes, while flying with first-class tickets. Why don’t YOU sell all you have, drive a 1969 car that can get you from point A to B and live in a cheap apartment. Then give all your money to the “poor”. I have heard individuals less fortunate say the same thing, but first, they have no idea what that “rich” preacher has done to end up where they are or what they are doing now to help those less fortunate. Yet you never hear these same individuals say that any particular celebrity should do the same thing. Helping the poor and needy is a joint effort. Most of the “rich” preachers I know make it their life to help those less fortunate, that’s what their Ministry is all about. I research many critics about these great men of God and find that they are not part of any organization to help people. Can you say hypocrisy?

How about we all start looking in the mirror and evaluating ourselves before judging someone else, Preacher or not. How about we start working on taking the plank out of our own eye before trying to remove the speck out of anyone else’s. At the end of the day, we are where we are today as a result of the decisions we’ve made in the past. I have not lived a wealthy life, because of all the mistakes I created for myself in the past. But never will I speak badly or judge others for being “rich”. Those of you that have gone that far need to grow up and stop judging others. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Look at your past faults and failures and look ahead to better things with a much more positive attitude and find someone you can help and impact their life for the better. Take that negative energy and focus it towards something good. Choose to believe the best of these “rich” Preachers and the lives they are impacting on a daily basis. If they have done wrong or broken the law, not only will God deal with them, but will also get caught and dealt with. Trust me, they will surely get theirs – as history has shown us many times.

That’s My Two Sense – Greg Dollar