Time will tell, Brother.
Time will tell, Brother.
Billy didn't live extravagantly per se, but he made a really nice salary and had a multi-million dollar net worth, around $25 million. And not to mention the things owned by the ministry he has use of. And he would have limos at times pick him up. He would fly jets. His son Graham has planes for the ministry and is a pilot himself. Franklin makes I think over $500k a year salary. I think Billy wasn't singled out because he didn't preach a prosperity gospel. But he lived well, and probably no different than some of the ministers that were criticized. Again, I think he wasn't a target because he didn't draw attention by preaching a prosperity gospel. Or an over the top one rather. Somehow he escaped the scrutiny and criticism even though he lived as well as some of those that are highly criticized.
Much is unknown about the famous evangelist's wealth. According to the wealth-tracking site TheRichest.com, Billy Graham's net worth was an estimated $25 million at the time of his death.That would rank Graham as one of America's eight richest pastors, Beliefnet.com reported. Graham's estimated $25 million net worth is equal to that of Rick Warren, but lower than pastors such as Joel Osteen ($40 million) and Kenneth Copeland ($760 million).
Forbes has reported that two nonprofits associated with Billy Graham are among the biggest charities in the U.S. Samaritan's Purse posted revenues of $635 million in 2016, while the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association had $101 million in revenues in 2010. Both organizations are now run by Billy Graham's son William Franklin Graham III, who is paid well for his leadership roles. Better known as Franklin Graham, he received a whopping total of $1.2 million in 2008 and $880,000 in compensation in 2014 for running the two charities, according to the Charlotte Observer.
I'm not criticizing Graham at all, it's more somewhat of a defense of some of the others out there. There does seem to be a little bit of hypocrisy in criticizing some of the other preachers but giving Billy a pass. He might not have preached prosperity, but he sure lived it. So it's ok as long as you don't preach it?
http://time.com/money/5168865/billy-...s-money-greed/
Valiant Woman (02-27-2018)
Nothing wrong with living Biblically!
Psalms 112:1-10
(1) Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
(2) His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
(3) Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
(4) Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
(5) A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
(6) Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
(7) He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
(8) His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
(9) He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
(10) The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind, having the understanding darkened...
(Ephesians 4:17-18)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...
(Psalm 1)
Valiant Woman (02-27-2018)
GodismyJudge (02-25-2018), Valiant Woman (02-27-2018)
Billy Graham - Seek ye first ...
Kingdom increase is souls... Billy pretty much stayed on that faithfully. He who wins souls is wise.
You won't hear too much public criticism from Christians but I know quite a few (Wof Folks) who think that Billy was a friend of the world, that's why he wasn't despised.
I think the main reason why prosperity preachers are attacked when they accumulate multi million dollar personal fortunes is not prosperity theology as such but the doctrine of "give to get" and especially when the preacher promotes giving more or less directly to his own pockets in order that the person giving will receive money or perhaps healing. Billy Graham never taught any of that nor is he associated with anyone who actually did teach that.
Nikos (02-25-2018)