“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24.

Someone should tell Joel Osteen that.

Osteen, pastor of mega-church Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, believes God wants us – especially Osteen – to be rich.

How rich? His church makes more than $75 million in revenue a year. Osteen made $13 million as an advance for his last book. The church renovated the Compaq Center for $98 million.

Lakewood is the biggest church in the U.S., attracting an average of 45,000.

With positive thinking, Osteen says God will make you rich, too.

Really?

Is this the same God who wanted to eliminate the Israelites for worshiping a golden calf because it was idolatry – much like worshiping money? (Exodus 32:1-35)

Is this from the same Bible that says, “Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal”? (Matthew 6:19-20)

Is this from the same Christ who said, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me”? (Matthew 19:21)

Probably not.

Consider this: At Joel Osteen’s Web page about himself and his wife, Victoria, “Christ” is mentioned once. “Jesus” is mentioned once. “God” is mentioned twice. That’s it. Check it out for yourself: http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_aboutus

What is mentioned is the church’s growth, the size of the new worship facility, Victoria’s new book and the size of their television audience. The Bible is not quoted, but Forbes is.

What the Joel Osteen ministries’ Web Site says they believe sounds Christian and Christ-centered, but the homepage has ads for Osteen’s books, “Become a Better You” and “30 Thoughts for Victorious Living.” You can also get a copy of this week’s message, for a donation of any amount, from the homepage. For a donation of $50 or more, you can get “LIFE-LIFT” and “Become a Better You Journal.” Or you can just donate.

Where’s God?

What Osteen is doing sounds a lot like taking advantage of people during hard times.

“We have great worship at Lakewood, and that worship is for sale on CDs out on the concourse level,” Duncan Dodds, Lakewood’s executive director said before the Night of Hope in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to Portfolio.com.

Ah, yes, the Good Life on sale.