He has not exactly won-over true Christians on national talk shows by refusing to actively support the Biblical stands against abortion and homosexuality, but rather hem-haws when asked. (He admits they are wrong, almost grudgingly or apologetically.) As he told HuffPo Live," I’m not here telling people what they’re doing wrong.” What kind of care and soul-overseeing is this?
Still - Joel Osteen has, in effect, become "America's Pastor/Preacher." He teaches a strictly uplifting message, focusing on hope and happiness and prosperity. He is fond of sharing that God has "a plan for your life." To some extent, what he says is true. However....
Indeed, when Joel says "plan," he infers a long-range fulfilling situation in this life. Does he know that about 240,000 human beings die each day? Many, no doubt, watched him. What were their "plans" to be if they watched him a month, week, or day before dying? By his own context, not much of a plan!
This man and his family's particular "ministry" basically conduct a motivational speaking/book company, under the guise and umbrella of being a Christian ministry. (The government has been looking into this.) Sure, they go through the motions to make sure the tax-exempt status/situation is maintained by acknowledging the Bible, having a quick call for salvation near the end of "sermons," a prayer or two, and other elements we all associate with a Christian Ministry - but examine the substance of the messages. (I, myself, will soon use some Scriptural citations to explain and verify some points.)
Joel's messages are always positive, uplifting, and focused on what God can do for YOU. He rarely preaches against sin, or teaches about conviction, atonement, sanctification, confession, or other aspects of being a Christian or Christianity, which tend to make listeners less happy. I'd estimate that he teaches about 1/30 of the Bible.
While he can make you happy, and at times that is a good thing, what kind of a "pastor" presents such an unbalanced Gospel where Jesus Christ is not even the cornerstone of the messages? Shouldn't a congregation be armed with the whole Word of God from their pastor, and sound doctrine as Scripture teaches? (Titus, Chapter 2).
Perhaps someone amid Mr. Osteen's mega-church should point out to him that life is not all about positive thinking, smiling, and being prosperous. In fact, percentage-wise there are relatively few wealthy Christians as opposed to unwealthy (financially) in the Bible. Not even Jesus' family was at all wealthy, in that way.
It is not our job to always receive from God without serving Him. We reap what we sow, not what we wish for (Galatians 6:7). God has sacred principles that are supposed to be taught and obeyed.
Jesus often speaks against wealth, and teaches how FEW wealthy or rich people shall make it into Heaven (Matt 19:23). Jesus even says that at least foxes have dens, but following Him may leave you without a place to lay your head, like Him (Matt 8:20, Luke 9:58). The Bible Itself is littered with wonderful followers of God that were poor (not materialistically prosperous) and died tragically.
Need more? Guess what? Jesus described Himself as "lowly and meek" (Matt 11:29). He was not a smiley-faced fella dancing around. JESUS WEPT (John 11:35). He was often troubled in His Spirit (John 11:23). Isaiah says He is/will be "A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Chapter 53). Aren't we Christians supposed to be "Christ-like?"
Furthermore, the Bible teaches that "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing..." (Psalm126). Again, we reap what we sow.
Where are these things in the scheme of Osteen's messages and ministry? MISSING. This gets exactly to my point. What Mr. Osteen says is a little wrong, but what he leaves out is a lot wrong.
For listeners already well-grounded in Bible Doctrine, Osteen can be a good speaker to listen to on the side for a few distinct matters, and motivation. For others, and new Christians, he is presenting an unbalanced and misleading Gospel.
Many Believers are upset that while the world has people starving and suffering that the Osteens live in a $10 million mansion, and are worth $50 million, which they earned on the back of God. I will not go there, or fault them for all of that.
A workman is worthy of his hire; and, I simply do not know what his "work-effort" should be valued at - or he might even have given a whole lot back to ministries. I don't know, so I will remain null on that, although I do recall Bible verses saying that our treasures should be laid up in Heaven, not on Earth..... You be the "judge."
This is the same man that said he believes the President is a Christian, despite the President's own words and actions (Interview with Wolf Blitzer, 10-31-14). I cannot help but shake my head; it is easy to say nice things about someone that almost half the nation supports, isn't it? We would NOT want to upset them, would we???????????? THE END.
~ Jimmy Hall is a Christian and owns a writing service (Jimmy Hall Writing Services/Atlanta, 404-580-1501).
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