Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has send a 42 item questionnaire to six leading televangelists inquiring into how their ministries spend the multi-millions of dollars that they receive in donations each year. The six are Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long and Joyce Meyer. The November 26th issue if Time details the issues that Senator Grassley wishes to examine and has hints that he may hold Congressional hearings on the subject.
Churches have been exempted from taxes since the founding of our country, but there were no income taxes or televangelists during that period and being a minister of the gospel was hardly considered a way of earning great deal of money. The exemption from taxes has been based on the First Amendment to the Constitution, which reads as follows:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The fundamental issue with the religious exemption from taxes is that you cannot have the “free exercise” of religion if the government has the right to tax your religious activities. Today the number of non-profit organizations in the US exceeds one million, with more being formed every year. Churches and other religious organizations are exempt from income and other taxes and are not required to file any public financial reports. Non-religious, non-profit organizations, such as the United Way, are tax exempt but have to file public financial reports each year detailing their income, charitable activities and operating expenses. A standard IRS report, Form 990, is used and is available for viewing online through Guide Star, a website that allows donors to examine the financial reports of a charity they wish to donate too. Other organizations examine the financial results of non-profits and assign effectiveness ratings that involve the calculation of ratios of operating expenses and other important measurements.
The importance of having non-profit status as a school, religious organization or charitable organization cannot be over estimated, since this designation means that donations made to the organization are tax deductible to the donor. The loss of non-profit status because of a failure to follow the IRS rules can doom the fund raising efforts of a non-profit. One important feature of the Form 990 is to detail the names and annual earnings of every employee or officer that receives $50,000 or more in compensation, revealing to any prospective donor if the leaders of the organization are being reasonably compensated.
The recent financial scandal at Oral Roberts University the led to the resignation of President Robert Roberts and the reports of lavish and questionable spending in the Time article clearly indicates that problems exist anytime hundred of millions of dollars are accumulated and spent without any oversight or control. Can anyone forget the financial waste and outright theft that occurred in the Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker scandal involving the PTL Club in Charlotte in 1987? There were no internal controls or outside scrutiny and one worst sides of human nature, greed, was exposed.
I am proposing a solution that will preserve the current tax exemption for churches and other non-profit religious organizations, but provide the current and future donors with information on where the money is coming from and where it is going. I believe that we should require all non-profits, religious or secular, to complete and publish the IRS form 990 if their annual total receipts/donations exceed $1,000,000. This limitation would exempt the vast majority of churches and other strictly religious organizations. If a church or religious organization is taking in $1,000,000 or more per year it already has in place a financial structure to manage and account for the funds, so filling Form 990 would not represent a major additional burden.
This proposal does not limit anyone’s “free exercise” of their religious beliefs or place any restriction on how they spend the donations they receive, or allow the government to tax the funds. It does recognize the rights of the donors to know here there funds are going whether they are giving to their local church or the United Way. Sunshine is the best antiseptic, and providing information to donors will at least allow them to make informed decisions on where and how to donate in the future. It would also reveal the compensation the religious leaders are receiving, a major issue when we are trying to determine when religious leaders are enriching themselves, or living lavish lifestyles, with their donor’s money.
The process of making public the way in which donated funds are expended will make the persons determining how the funds are expended more thoughtful about spending decisions and more likely to make sure they conform to the mission of the religious organization.
The six televangelists that Senator Grassley sent the questionnaires too will certainly object to the requirement to complete the Form 990, claiming it is “government interference” with their religious practices, but we have to protect the rights of the donors as well. In the PTL scandal many donors lost money when the same apartments and condos built by the PTL Club were sold multiple times. Government does have the obligation and authority to prosecute financial crimes regardless of who is committing the crimes, but without information authorities cannot determine if crimes are being committed.
It is time for us to realize that while the vast majority of religious organizations are open and honest, but there are a small number that are taking advantage of our Constitutional protection of religious beliefs and practices to enrich themselves and live lavish lifestyles. We need to begin to separate the wheat from the chaff.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 9
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Only those who are Born Again will be saved form God's wrath and eternal torment in hell.
Secondly the Bible clearly states that we are to consider all things by the Word of God so that we know how the Man of God should conduct himself.And the word of God says in 2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And the word of truth is what we are to use to conduct our lifes.And if one studies God word they will find In 2nd Timothy 3:16-17:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Gods word is profitable for many wonderful things and here in particular 4 Things. 1-For doctrine 2-For reproof 3-For correction 4-For instruction in righteousness
And these 4 Things are provided by God to us for a reason because without sound doctrine,without reproof,without correction and without instruction in rightousness
Then v:17 would not be correct which says:
17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
So when some suggest that someone is judging by agreeing with what Senator Grassley is bringing out in the open about these Pastors lifestyles.It has been reported in the US press that some of these 6 ministries Pastors under public scrunity that they fly in Cessana Jets,drive Rolls Royces and Bentley Convertables,live in Mansions worth from 2 Million Dollars up to 10 Million Dollars,stay in Presidentalial Suites for a sum of one Thousand Dollars up to Ten Thousand Dollars a night.One of these 6 Pastors when asked on CNN IF THEY BELIEVED JESUS WOULD AGREE TO THEM HAVING A ROLLS ROYCE? HE SAID "YES Jesus would agree"
So when we look at what is taking place with Senator Grassley,s requested inquiry on ministries such as Benny Hinn,Keneth Copeland,Crefflo Dollar Joyce Myers and others and in light of the scandal at Oral Roberts University where as even the President Richard Roberts resigned on Friday after his accountant informed the world that he was instructed to "cook the books" by Richard Roberts himself and the accountant was Fired.
And when you take into account that these 6 ministries teach false teachings that I Quote.."We are all little gods" and that we have the power to create through our words,and the Properity Gospel.Perhaps one is being judgemental if you think that Doctrine Reproof,Correction and Instruction in Rightousness is not an appropiate measure to be guided by not only in these 6 Pastors ministries but in any Christian ministries.And let me ask have you really dug into what The Word of Faith Movement teaches?I suggest that any one reading this finds out and become aware of what these ministries teach.The choice is yours.
It's about time that MEN OF GOD STAND UP and speak the word of truth in love and through Gods Word find Doctrine and Reproof false teachers and bring Correction so that people are not mislead and bring Instruction in righteousness so that people wiil be aware of what is happening.
I am an ordained Pentecostal minister in Regent Park -St. Jamestown Toronto.And I have a duty as a watchman of the church God has called me to lead.Here are some scriptures to that warn us of the very things we are talking about.
2nd.Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2: And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3: And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
1 Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1rst Timothy 6:3-11 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4: He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1rst Peter 5:2: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3: Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
If anyone would like to discuss what My views are on any of the above statements or on the bible in general,please feel free to respond to this email... Pastor Mike Grady info@mgrady.net
In Canada the whole issue brought forth by the Grassley 6, which is one of integrity and not creating the appearance of evil, has basically not been taken. I wonder if the very Secular Canadian Media will only pay attention when and if, one-or-more are sent to prison.
Personally, I too want to believe their innocents. Yet, my research has brought up some very scary teaching in their movement. There is definitely an appearance of evil. That does not take a special investigator to determine and I do realize the over all complexity of the situation.
However, in my mind, maybe not yours, I can not help but think about THE USA's overwhelming response to the evil done by a Muslim monster who hijacked planes and crashed them killing innocent people on September 11. I remember that day, as all that were around to watch it on CNN would.
Personally, I have come to believe that these Grassley 6 have done something remarkable in our time. Just like I think Bin Laden did something remarkably evil in our time. The Grassley 6 like Bin Laden have managed to hijack the faith of there choosing to meet personal gains and ends.
In Canada we have the MelinChucks (spelling may be wrong for the name so forgive me) who have done the same thing. I as a pastor have watched the results of these prosperity gospel mongrels and their followers. Perhaps, you have too; they worship them, not even wanting to question them. The reason, fear!
They fear them because they claim to be the LORDS ANNOINTED! I remember one day not many months ago, I was on a TTC bus in TORONTO, and was talking to a friend of mine about the very issues we are discussing here. Muslim, Hindu, who knows what else in a position to hear.
I made a blatant comment about Mohammed being evil and a false prophet. The Muslims, which out numbered me, said nothing and ignored it. Yet, when I made a comment of concern about the Benni Hinn Ministry to my friend, a Hinn worshiper verbally assaulted me. Telling me that by attacking Benni Hinn I would bring the very wrath of GOD down onto me.
After about a minute or two of her "do not touch the LORDS ANNOINTED" poorly understood theology, my friend speaks up saying, "you know he's not attacking Benni Hinn only telling me what people are saying, he too is a pastors". That same woman shrank back perhaps the very thought of attacking another of the LRODS ANNOINTED (Me being a pastor) scared her silly.
She shrank back, and we continued on with our night. What this tells me is how much power the Grassley 6 have. I know another woman who has literally destroyed her family, finances, all in the dream of being Joyce Myers or the next Benni Hinn. Tell me how is this GOD?
I am honestly concerned about the overwhelming reality these Grassley 6 represent. A Christianity that is now above accountability and can no longer is challenged on the basis of being the "LORDS ANNOINTED". It means that people like Benni Hinn are as dangerous as that of Binn Laden. Thank GOD on high that the Grassley 6 are more benevolent that the alternative example given.
You may rightly ask me why? Well, the answer is plain to me...I would rather someone be out for my grandmothers well intended money than her life. Not that I am suggesting that the Grassley 6 are innocent or guilty, that only time can tell. However, if they are guilty, their crime is far less evil than that of Mohammed's followers.
The Grassley 6, need to play the humble card. You see the world is watching and many souls are following them. My advices to the '6' give Grassley your finances, make the changes that are required admit any wrong he suggests and repent. Following this move on with your life and hopefully, your ministry will stand the test and trial before it. By the way, count it a pleasure that you've been counted worthy by GOD TO be corrected, rebuked, tested, and persecuted because GOD only punishes those he loves...and if GOD loves you BENNI, he will correct you, or did you forget that lesson from your bible college and theology training - wait many of the Grassley 6 admit to not being trained, so I would also suggest training, but not at ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY!
Blessings, Pastor Joseph Vaillancourt
Toronto ONTARIO