A couple of the comments, unfortunately. . .  (C’mon, let’s avoid the namecalling, folks.)

Starving yourself, etc. is a rather ridiculous extreme, but man, it’s kinda rough figuring out what kind of line there is, ya know? 

I can feel guilty for walking by all the beggars when I visit a big city, and going to eat in the very restaurant they’re sitting outside of.  But I cannot feed them all, so is guilt a wrong reaction?  If I’m donating to charities that feed people, can I not feel guilty about the dudes outside as I eat?  How nice of a restaurant can I eat at before it’s too lavish?  What kinds of cars cross that lavish line?  Multiple homes do seem lavish indeed, but does a small summer cottage on the beach count?  I know it sounds kinda goofy, but that’s why I’m working through this stuff, with not much conclusiveness thus far. 

I appreciate that you are, too, and using your platform as an artist to voice your concerns.  That’s it right there!  That’s Christian. Using your position to be voice for the poor.

Any further thoughts for this discussion from you and anyone else reading would be great!

Bless you, brother.

Thanks for your music and your heart.

Anything else you think needs to be amended to more accurately represent Mr. Dollar?

Thanks for the transcript link.  I was listening in a busy airport with a lot of distractions so it’s good to read what I missed.  I don’t think, however, that even in context Reverend Dollar’s comments sit any better with me – I don’t think I misunderstood him and his position at all.  In fact, I’m changing my post now, adding the exact quotes from the transcript because, if anything, I think the exact quotes make the point better than my recollections.

For the record I never, in my post, said anything about Rev. Dollar’s spending habits or lifestyle.  I quoted him quoting Jesus and then reinterpreted those words of Jesus as an opportunity to invest in the poor and not an exemption from doing so.  That in no way says specifically how much cash any of us should keep or give.

Above is a link to the transcript from this particular Larry King episode.  It’s good to look at everything in context.

Dr. Dollar does make a good point using the “poor always among us” quote, which cannot be taken out of context, both from what Jesus was saying and what this pastor is saying. 

Jesus noted that as long as the Curse is upon this earth there will be folks in need. Thus, every penny we make does not HAVE to be given to the poor.

Dr. Dollar seems to be making this same point. 

We live in a world with so many injustices, and sure we should be working to bring about change any ways we can.  But we by ourselves will not ever bring about complete justice. “The poor will always be among you.” We must live in this injust world regardless, waiting for the coming Day when Justice shall return. 

We would starve if we never ate because someone somewhere didn’t have food (and so many don’t).  We would ever be naked because someone somewhere does not have clothing either. . .etc.

We are given resources by God to use wisely. Shaun’s right on: “Invest accordingly.”

Now maybe it does rub us wrong that a pastor is “getting rich” via church tax exemption, but he also claims that his church gives millions of dollars to those without, purchasing homes and cars for people, etc.  He’s using his position and prosperity to be a voice for the poor.  Each of us has this responsibility, each with our own position and our own prosperity. 

As much grace as we need for when we aren’t doing that well we ought to extend to every brother as well, including Dr. Creflo Dollar.

Sure, we have our preferences for how much money a church and a pastor should have, and I don’t completely agree with Dr. Dollar that God wants us to be happy and prosperous, but that He wants for us to be holy and glorify Him through that.  Those other blessings come with that, and in ways perhaps different than we think or expect.

Sorry for such a long comment. I just didn’t want folks reading all these comments to look so one-sidedly at this important issue.

Read this for some more perspective:  http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/social/2007/12/editors_note_this_modern_psalm.php

“Yes, we will always have the poor, Rev. Dollar.  And as long as we have the poor, we have the opportunity to recognize their potential, and God’s proclivity to use them, and invest accordingly.”

…I couldn’t agree more.

I’ll be praying for the widow all alone

Sewing clothes for a loaf of bread

It is not my fault that she is hungry

It’s my joy to make sure she’s fed