You might not know how I feel about prosperity pimpin’ preaching but, let’s just say I’m not a fan. More importantly, I am concerned about how certain people prey on the faith of followers to create extravagant lifestyles for themselves. Like I’ve stated before, the Bible tells of how Jesus threw the money-changers out of the church but, they came back with a vengeance.

Now, many decades and, easily, billions of dollars later, the Senate is starting to look into what these megachurch ministers are doing with the money contributed to their ministries. This is, primarily, the work of Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. His goal is to determine whether or not these pastors are complying with IRS rules in regards to the money they are personally receiving in their roles as ministers. As you know, despite their opulence, these churches are tax-exempt.

Six months ago, Grassley sent out questionnaires to 6 ministries. To date, only one, Joyce Meyer Ministries, has responded to Grassley’s request, along with supporting documentation. Those that have not responded include Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga.; Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.; and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas.

However, there are two ministries that are basically telling Grassley to go to hell (sorry, I couldn’t resist). They are Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas (who said he would not respond until 2008) and Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International. Dollar had his lawyers tell Grassley that “the investigation should be referred to the IRS or the Senate panel should get a subpoena for the documents.”

According to many of these preachers who did not comply, the IRS already knows about their finances but, according to Grassley, he is uncovering things the IRS never knew.

Who knows? Subpoenas might be coming soon. If so, I’ll have my popcorn ready and my TV tuned to C-Span.

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