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The Pulpit And the Bling-Bling
Sen. Charles Grassley has requested that Bishop Eddie L. Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church detail direct donations from members.
(By Gene Blythe -- Associated Press)
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However, it certainly is our business if they are abusing their positions of power and misusing tax-exempt donor money. If the ministries involved in this investigation have been operating above board and all donations have been properly handled, the leaders ought to welcome the scrutiny.
It's not as if donors haven't been misled in the past by charismatic spendthrift religious leaders. Let's not forget the televangelist scandals of the late 1980s. Remember Jim Bakker? He was sent to federal prison for misappropriating $158 million in ministry funds.
"Any organization that refuses to openly share their financial information lacks the kind of financial transparency that many donors are likely to expect," said Kenneth Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
If nothing else, I hope Grassley's probe forces all churches -- large and small -- to put in place tight financial controls and an independent board of directors to oversee the ministry operations and expenditures. The ministries and leaders should provide an accounting of the donor dollars they collect.
As for their personal expenditures, should these private-jet-flying, bling-wearing, Rolls-Royce-driving, mansion-owning preachers live less large?
Some restraint might be in order. The Bible certainly warns about the accumulation of wealth. Greed often accompanies prosperity.
A 2007 Rolls-Royce sells for nearly $340,000. When you're ministering to the masses, it just doesn't bode well to own a vehicle that costs more than any home many of your parishioners will ever live in.
¿ On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp:/
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