Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Show Me The Money Column for the weeks of June 1-15, 2007

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According to a recent article in the Detroit News, World Outreach Church bought its pastor and wife, who is the co-pastor, a “little” parsonage. The $3.65 million 11,000 square foot mansion sits on 11 acres overlooking Maybury State Park. The recipients, Ben and Charisse Gibert and their four children were thrilled. After all, their last house was a mere 7,000 square feet and I guess it just didn’t cut it. Marvin Wilder, an elder, lawyer, and general counsel for the church says the four bedroom home “isn’t flamboyant.” Exactly how this kind of mansion can be understated, simple, modest or low key is beyond me? The church also bought the Giberts a $50,000 Cadillac Escalade.

The article states that the Northville Township is upset because the house is owned by the church and therefore tax exempt. That takes $40,000 annually out of their revenue. Let’s hope they don’t raise everyone else’s taxes to make up the difference. That would not enhance World Outreach’s good community relations.

Unfortunately, this type of purchase fuels the debate over whether or not churches should be tax exempt. Wilder goes on to say, “In this country we value rock stars, movie stars and athletes. They can have a lavish lifestyle, and a pastor who restores lives that were broken shouldn’t? When our value system elevates a man who can put a ball in a hole and not a man who does God’s work, something is wrong.” Of course, one might argue that those rock stars, movie stars and athletes are all paying taxes on their mansions.

The actions of one church should not be used to judge churches as a whole. Most struggle to make ends meet even with the tax exemptions. The Giberts aren’t the first servants of God to raise eyebrows with seemingly opulent purchases. Actually, their purchases seem minor compared to many others. Everyone remembers Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Then there was Pat Robertson who had to sell his half million dollar race horse after much controversy. Creflo Dollar has two Rolls-Royces and everyone from Joyce Meyer to Benny Hinn has an airplane. Health and Wealth preachers are especially intent on everyone having big bucks – especially themselves.

All of this leads one to ask, “Would Jesus wear a Rolex on his television show?” I don’t know. Jesus’ example seems to indicate he wasn’t big on wealth. However, in Mark 14 when the disciples bristled at the idea of expensive perfumed ointment being used to anoint him instead of being sold to help the poor, Jesus said to leave it alone. This woman was anointing him for his burial which the disciples did not yet understand. He also said, “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.” But then – he was Jesus and we are not. Here he was emphasizing the special sacrifice this particular woman was making for him. No one has ever questioned that Jesus had a heart for the poor. He did not view those without money as less spiritual.
Most of Jesus’ teachings lean toward not laying up for yourselves treasure on earth (Matthew 6: 19-21), it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom (Matthew 19:24), godliness should not be viewed as a means to financial gain (1 Timothy 6:3-10 NIV), and one can’t serve mammon and God (Matthew 6:24).

On the other hand, he did say that it wouldn’t hurt to use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends (Luke 16:9 NLT) and it’s “a love of money” that is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10) not “money” itself as many misquote.

I guess it’s really up to the Giberts’ church to decide how big their house should be. Ben and Charisse Gibert have reputations for being hard working, loving, caring shepherds of their 4,000 or so flock. If their congregation isn’t concerned, why should we be? After all, it’s a free country. It’s their membership putting their widow’s mites in the collection plate each week. I would be more concerned about Health and Wealth gospels giving the impression you are more spiritual if God blesses you financially. It’s just not true.

In my 35 years plus in ministry I haven’t been offered a million dollar mansion, but God has provided amply for all of my needs and some of my wants. And for the record, if World Outreach is looking for someone else, I might be happy with a 5,000 square foot home and a cheap Mercedes….as long as the house is on a lake and they throw in a boat….and I’d need a maid…maybe a gardener….um…let me think. In other words, just show me the money!!!

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.