In November Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa sent letters to six ministries that preach a gospel of prosperity about their finances.
Today Christian leaders signed a letter addressed to the Senate Finance Committee inquiring into the investigation of these ministries including Eddie Long, Randy and Paula White, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer, and Kenneth Copeland. Their letter suggest that the 6-month-old inquiry sets a dangerous precedent and that these ministries were targets because they shared “the same branch of evangelicalism” and promoted “socially conservative public policy positions such as support for the traditional definition of marriage.”
Signers of the letter are Moral Majority co-founder Paul Weyrich, American Family Association chairman Don Wildmon and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. They argue that the investigation violates the Internal Revenue Service’s justification for church investigations.
Jill Kozeny, a spokeswoman for Grassley, said the investigation is not concerned with church doctrine but with the adequacy of tax-exempt laws.
The investigation of these ministries is warranted. It has nothing to do with jealousy, but their extravangant lifestyle which brings into question the legitimacy of the management of the finances that are donated.
If each of them were truly acting with honesty and integrity, then the full release of their financial statements should prove there was no misappropriation of finances.
“Biblical prosperity is not given to bigger cars and houses. Biblical prosperity is to be poured out for lost humanity with the compassion and selflessness of Jesus Christ.”
The Corinthian Problem Part 8: When Carnal Men Claim the Throne. The video of this sermon is available at http://www.tscnyc.org/sermons.php?filter=y&media_type=WMV
In response to the article written in reference to the senate investagation, Iam inclined to agree with Mr.Michaelson.The church that is truly established on New Covenant principles and objective (Acts 2:42-47;4:32-37; and John18:28-38), there would be no hesitation to stand before any worldly authority,because the outcome and verdict would be retroactive accordingly.
It is the Lord God who will use worldly authorities to uncover the church and it’s greed for Mammon. We have been directed to be an Ephesians 4:1-16 church, and not as the harlot of Rev.17 and 18(note: verses 9-24).
The true leaders of the true church, established on “better promises” (Heb.8-9),as outlined for us all who are truly “called” of God, can with-stand any scrutiny, because there is no darkness in our works and the fruits give witness to themselves.
It will be the Lord God who will uncover and bring down the latter day towers of babel.It is His inspection of the works that will really matter.We should not interfere with Kingdom assessment.Even if the assessors used are of the World Order. It’s done according to the written pattern ( Gen.11:3-9).
Discern before you deliver,you my be coming against the Lord Himself- Acts 5:34-39 (the counsel of Gamaliel).
It took The Christ just 3 years to restore the Kingdom Order back to the Father.It has taken over 2008 years and counting for undiscipline and selfish latter day Pharisees and Sadducees to bring us almost to a place of broken fellowship and unwarrented alignment with the kKingdom of God.
Let’s restore and reform the church back to it’s priginal foudation, that of the true Apostl.Prophets, and Teachers and allow the Glory of the Lord to fill this earth once again. Selah
We have to be very careful with this issue. If it is ok for the government to ask for the financial records of the leaders of these ministries, what then stops them from asking for the financial records of the members of other ministries as well? Take is a step further, what stops them from asking for the financial records of “all believers” who have nice homes and drive nice cars? It is ironic how the “seperation of church and state” only conveniently apply to the movements those anti-kingdom of God/anti-christ propgandist choose to apply them. The notion of “seperation of church and state” was brought about for this reason – to keep the government out of the affairs of the kingdom of God.
In no way do I believe that any man or woman of God should misappropriate or misuse the money people give for their own personal gain. However, 1 Timothy 5:17 says “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” This honor is not just respect, but we are to bless them financially as well. Even Abraham gave a tithe of “all” to Melchizedek after he blessed him. Let’s not get distracted because all of these ministers work hard and well deserve whatever financial blessings they receive. That is the double honor.
What we should be more concerned with is whether or not we want to give more power to any establishment/government by keeping silent about this issue. It has happened in other nations where the financial records of the “members” were also requested. Whose to say if this doesn’t stop here that it won’t trickle down. I say, why don’t we request the financial records of Senator Charles Grassley and all those who are in support of his request. Then we can talk!
Don’t be so naive. “Separation of church and state” (originally) meant simply that the “state” wouldn’t create a “state religion” that everyone was supposed to adhere to. (Remember England?) It was the banner of “religious freedom” - freedom to choose your religious beliefs. (Remember, that’s why the Pilgrims came here?) It has nothing to do with the “state” staying out of kingdom business.
Side note: If the church is really going to push this “separation of church and state” then these same ministries need to stay out of the political realm as well. Or maybe we only want our separation of church and state when it benefits us?
If you understood anything about a not-for-profit status (aka 503(1)C) then you would understand that churches VOLUNTARILY give up certain “rights” in order gain certain tax advantages. This process is such a “norm” for “the church” that we often don’t think about it as being an option (an option to be a 503(1)C or not to be one). And, of course, Americans have been so trained that they get a tax deduction when they give, that it would truly be difficult to run a church without the automatic “tax deduction” incentive.
Under the I.R.S. laws, a 503(1)C is supposed to conduct it’s finances in a particular manner. THAT is what is under investigation. They don’t care about what the church teaches — they care that it “appears” that a whole lot of money is not being used for “charitable” or even “religious” purposes. They don’t want a fortune 500 company posing as a religious not-for-profit company … that’s all.
If there’s no abuses … it should be easy to prove. So why all the hubbub about “we’ve got to keep this out of the public eye?” Makes you wonder, huh?
There is a bigger picture here which Copeland and the other Christian leaders can see. The future implications are scary if Grassley is given access to this kind of information just because he feels it’s necessary. Copeland is calling for the proper agency to conduct the investigation, just as Grassley should have done from the beginning.
looks like Copeland is fighting back with a website of his own. I can’t say that I blame him. This article recently came out in Dallas Star Telegram..
http://www.star-telegram.com/northeast/story/671754.html
Blogguy - I have to agree with you. I think it’s great that Copeland has decided to create a way to keep the public up to date as to the latest and most recent happenings with this situation. I am also glad to see that he has gained the support of many of Christian leaders who also recognize the effects this could have on all of our future. There is also still no evidence to date to verify any kind of wrong doing by any of these groups.
I believe that when the government does not question how much our sports figures make for a season they have no right to question our ministries. They are putting questions on the people that are doing God’s work. How many of our Heros of the world are making rediclious amounts for catching or kicking a ball and no one questions them. Most if not all of these ministers write books, sell tapes, go out and minister other places and receive love offerings. What is so different about the endorsements that sports heros receive. God is not concerned about how many touch downs you make,home runs you hit, baskets you make or races you win. The thing He is concerned with is how many souls have you ministered salvation to? We should all tell this man to start with the congress men, senators and leave God’s Anionted alone. God knows how to take care of His own. Have you ever heard the scripture that if you do not judge your self God will bring it out. So let God judge the church and the Government be concerned with the other figures. The church does not need these people trying to figure us out.What price can you put on eternal Life and keeping a soul out of hell for eternity? If sports figures get paid for there talents, ministers should be paid well for their anointings and for Gods work. Again what price do you put on Salvation. That is if you understand what it is. I think the Senator should spend his time else where like corruption in the Government and let God judge the church.Ministers living like a poor church mouse went out a long time ago. The anointed of God should receive what they are worth.