In fact, even CHRISTIAN AMERICANS love the Almighty dollar so much that they are willing to make up ENTIRE DOCTRINES to prove that God loves money just as much as they do. It is a new kind of gospel - never seen in the history of the world before. The Americans invented it and spread it around the earth. And now, even in REVIVAL COUNTRIES, this gospel of greed is taking over. Carter Conlon says that he was in a poor African nation recently where there are 700,000 little children living without parents on the streets - and yet the PASTORS ARE DRIVING BMW's and preaching SELFISH PROSPERITY. Where did they get such sickness? They got it from America. We beam it to them live by satellite.

Perhaps one may question why Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from the state of Iowa, has decided to look into these particular ministries. Grassley is a former assemby line worker and farmer, and has been a watchdog of accountability about many government offices for many years. According to a web article:

In the past he voted against expensive projects favored by many in his party. He was one of only two Republicans to vote against authorizing the first Gulf War. He has a history of holding the executive branch accountable for their activities through his positions on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. (http://www.answers.com/topic/chuck-grassley)

It would appear that Grassley is sincerely interested in organizations being held accountable, and does not seem to be on a personal mission against these particular ministries. According to the same article quoted above, Grassley is a Baptist and a member of the Christian organization that sponsors the National Prayer Breakfast. Well, that sounds good on the surface, but it also says he is a Freemason, and that does not sound good, but that is not the point of this letter. He is also well liked as a friend of whistle-blowers and is due to receive an award for his services towards protecting whistle-blowers.

Grassley is not alone is his questioning of these top TV ministries. I hardly think that Christian watchdog ministries are just now jumping on the world's bandwagon, and many among them have been questionioning these organizations for years. Ministry Watch and ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, are but two among several Christian organizations whose purpose is to hold Christian ministries to a high standard of accountability, and both have these same six ministries on their lists as being questionable to donate to. In fact, ECFA is open to membership by Christian ministries in order to be transparent in their financial practices, but not one of the six being questioned by Grassley belongs to ECFA. Some well-known ministries who do belong to ECFA include Billy Graham, Focus on the Family, Campus Crusade, and In Touch. I strongly encourage one to search and get information about members and non-members and how they use donated funds at these websites:

http://www.ecfa.org/

http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/H_Home.asp

The question is not whether Joyce Meyer is being frivolous in spending ministry funds on a commode. I am well aware of the use of the term in the article I posted, though I thank Jim Bramlett for pointing out to other readers, who may have wondered, that this is not a toilet, but a table. Whether a table or a toilet, $23,000 could buy a lot of food for needy families. I imagine if a poll were offered to Meyer's contributors asking if one preferred his donation to go specifically to buy food for the hungry or a table for the entry hall of the ministry headquarters, most would prefer his money be spent on food for the hungry. I would question even $2000 being spent on a table when $200 would certainly buy a hall table. Meyer would probably argue that a $200 table would look shabby in such ornate surroundings, but why does a ministry headquarters look like a luxury hotel? Not surprising to me is a poll conducted by the St. Louis Dispatch with the following question asked: Does Joyce Meyer Ministries handle its finances properly? The results from 2053 voters as of 2PM EST on Nov 14 are:

Yes 18%

No 59%

I don't know 22%

A newspaper article published four years ago describes the same things the senate investigation wants answers to, and can be read here:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/joycemeyer.nsf/0/C5099399D2FCC5FA86256DDF00661C5F?OpenDocument

I believe that we as Christians are ALL called to a higher standard of accountability than the world, but how much more so would be a ministry that is constantly in the public eye. We should use discernment when giving to ministries, churches, and charities. We will be held accountable for our every thought, word and deed. The Bible has many verses that are appropriate to this topic. I will submit several, though I am sure many more could be added.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

1 Cor 1:6-8 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess 5: 21-23 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gen 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

Phil 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Luke 12:48 For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Matt 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

This verse reminded me of the statement by Joyce Meyer describing the luxurious surroundings she now lives in: "If you stay in your faith, you are going to get paid," Meyer told an audience in Detroit in September. "I’m living now in my reward."

Matt 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Col 3: 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

The following passage from 1 Timothy 3 lists the requirements for a bishop and a deacon, and a few of those under scrutiny go by the title "bishop":

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.