PRO$PER

When I read this article I had to laugh. The Reverend Creflo Dollar? Are you kidding me?

"The minister is among the religious leaders who preach the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. "

Material riches, eh? 'Prosperity gospel'...which gospel is this in again? Don't the meek inherit the earth? If I recall correctly, Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple with a whip and chastised them about turning His Father's house into a place of business. I don't recall Jesus' words on the best way to invest in annuities or real estate, or which luxury vehicles should be driven by His so-called "chosen few". It is a truly laughable situation but what is scary are the minions of misled sheep (many dirt poor) who blindly give their hard-earned money to this pseudo pastor and follow the Gospel According To Bling. A message, no matter what it is, never looks as good unless its wearing Gucci. Give to the poor...why do that?

Megachurch took in $69 million in 2006

Charlotte.com – Monday, Nov. 12, 2007

An Atlanta megachurch took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement the church's minister released in response to a Senate investigation into him and five other well-known televangelists. The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International's financial information to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but said the money he spends is his own. Dollar said his income comes from personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he mainly uses for special occasions, he said. "Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong." Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched an investigation into the finances of six ministers after hearing reports of some preachers' lavish and opulent lifestyles. In a letter last week, he requested answers by Dec. 6 to questions about their executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets. Besides Dollar, the letters were sent to faith healer Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Texas, David and Joyce Meyer of Missouri, Randy and Paula White of Florida and Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga. Dollar questioned the investigation's focus on religious groups. The minister is among the religious leaders who preach the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. But he said he uses only his personal finances to pay for his luxuries. "My lifestyle does not come out of the church's bank account," he said.