People love to give god credit when it benefits them financially. I’ve heard friends and family thanking god for providing a new job or a salary raise and promotion. I do understand why a religious person does this. They are taught to feel guilty for taking credit for their own achievements, so they give god the credit instead.
This story is a bit different. Reverend Brad Braxton of Riverside Church was recently installed as the new senior pastor with a $600,000 package in salary and perks. This has resulted in a lawsuit from parishioners asking to trim the excessive pay package.
Braxton finally broke his silence to explain that his raise was “Lord-approved”.
“God told me all week, ‘I got you.’” the Rev. Brad Braxton said to thunderous applause.
Also claiming his critics were:
“Mistaking molehills for mountains.”
Hypocrisy from Christian leadership at it’s best. If the Lord signed off on the raise I’m not sure why everyone is so upset. If I had a direct line to god he could approve a pay raise for me as well. I guess god only does that for special people. Others don’t even know where their next meal is going to come from.
Tags: Brad Braxton, Christian, Compensation, Excessive, Greed, Hypocrisy, Lawsuit, Money, Package, Reverend, Riverside Church, Salary
April 29, 2009 at 3:16 pm |
Funny…but nothing new here. I’m beginning to think that Iowa is full of graphic designers that sit around all day looking for people posing as followers of Christ. Post something on Cornerstone Simi Valley, Ca and Francis Chan. That’s the model of Christ that God intended for his people. I dare you….
Actually – I’ll give you an assist:
April 29, 2009 at 4:13 pm |
Zing. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t so easy.
It is kind of a big deal when the person posing as a follower of Christ is leading a huge church. People tend to be sheep (in the negative sense) and follow whatever version of teaching the leader in front of them gives.
The attached video is a great motivational speaker. It is very foolish to spend your days living in fear. That is very good advice. The pastor at my own church is an exceptional preacher and teacher. He didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear; he taught the gospel.
The problem is every church teaches it differently. The Bible is so full of contradiction that it leaves it wide open to interpretation. Each preacher and denomination has their own take on what it means to be a “model of Christ that God intended for his people”.
I am not anti-Christian. Many people do great and charitable things in the name of their god. I just don’t personally find any truth in it. But I am very offended and angered by those who use religion to justify their own evil agendas of greed, power and hate.
April 29, 2009 at 4:44 pm |
“But I am very offended and angered by those who use religion to justify their own evil agendas of greed, power and hate.”
We fully agree on that statement, my friend.
Peace,
J
April 29, 2009 at 4:58 pm |
God’s love and salvation that is offered through Jesus are not a contradiction. That’s the gospel.
February 15, 2010 at 2:39 pm |
I don’t usually post comments, but I just wanted to say nice post.