7 outrageously wealthy preachers

Somewhere in the Bible it says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. There must be a loophole, though, because some of the holiest people around are also some of the richest.

Most come by their riches legally (though several of them were investigated not too long ago by the Senate), but whether you think it’s right or wrong for a man or woman of the cloth to live lavishly, it’s always fun to check out the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Here’s a look at 7 preachers and church leaders who have created their own paradise right here on earth:

Kenneth Copeland has his own airport

In 2008, it was determined that a $3.6 million jet owned by Kenneth Copeland Ministries was not tax exempt. But that’s okay; Copeland and his ministry have still done pretty well. The church owns a 1,500-acre campus in Fort Worth, Texas, that includes Kenneth Copeland Airport, which  serves the church’s planes, a media production center, and a $6 million mansion where Copeland lives. Oh, and a church.

Steve Furtick’s not-so-modest digs

The 35-year-old pastor and head of Elevation Church in North Carolina grew the church from humble beginnings in early 2006 to a place of worship for over 18,000 congregants today. The success of Elevation Church has been fueled in part by Steve Furtick’s hip, youthful persona and by the showmanship he brings to services. Furtick made headlines in late 2013 with news about the $1.7 million, 16,000-square-foot family home he was having built in Weddington, North Carolina, which he says was financed by proceeds from his books. If it makes any difference, it’s reported that only 8,400 square feet of the home will be heated living space.

Creflo Dollar wants a gulfstream; can you help?

Just last month Creflo Dollar, who leads Creflo Dollar Ministries and is the pastor of Atlanta-based World Changers Church International, asked his followers to open their hearts—and their wallets—to the tune of $300 apiece to raise money for a Gulfstream G650 jet. He’s hoping 200,000 people will help him reach his goal of purchasing the $65 million jet so he and members of the church can more easily and stylishly spread the gospel around the globe. The web page announcing the request was taken down after a backlash online, but if you’re so inclined, you can give on the ministry’s website.

David Miscavige needs more than just a BMW

The head of the Church of Scientology has had plenty of experience handling controversy, including recent allegations that he hired private detectives to spy on his father for over a year after he left the church. David Miscavige and other church officials live at secretive headquarters in a compound called “Gold Base” about 100 miles from Los Angeles. The compound contains a $10 million mansion awaiting the reincarnation of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, as well as the church’s own movie studio, Golden Era Productions. While lower members of the church reportedly face low pay and even occasional punishment, Miscavige maintains a comfortable lifestyle that includes a Range Rover, a Mazda Miata, a BMW M6, an armored GMC van, and a Yahama motorcycle. Apparently, the man likes options when it comes to transportation.

Joyce Meyer and her marble-top commode

Joyce Meyer lives outside St. Louis, Missouri, and in 2003, the city’s paper, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ran a series on her lifestyle, revealing details about her Gulfstream G-IV, her lavishly furnished homes worth $4 million, and her near-$1 million salary along with her husband’s $450,000 salary. Meyer makes money as a speaker, author, and head of Joyce Meyer Ministries, and, despite investigation, she has never been accused of any wrongdoing. It seems reports of a $23,000 commode were greatly exaggerated.

Joel Osteen has no salary, but he sure is rich

Lakewood Church, the Houston megachurch where Joel Osteen is senior pastor, is housed in the former Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. It seats 16,800 people and holds four services every weekend to accommodate its congregation of 43,500, the largest in the United States. People reported that Osteen stopped taking a salary from Lakewood Church in 2005, but his book sales more than make up for it; in 2007, he reportedly made $13 million from a single book. Now, he and his family live in a $10.5 million mansion in a luxury Houston neighborhood.

Benny Hinn, bringer of miracles

Benny Hinn hosts the long-running and highly rated TV show This Is Your Day. He is also well known for his faith healing “miracle crusades” during which believers experience miracles, like regaining the power to walk or spontaneously ridding themselves of tumors. Hinn’s ministry reportedly leases a Gulfstream III at a cost of over $100,000 per month, and he lives in a mansion on the Pacific Ocean while enjoying a salary of over $500,000 a year. But why shouldn’t he make that much? Benny Hinn Ministries is said to have taken in $100 million per year while Hinn was under investigation—and that’s the low estimate. Also on NakedLaw: 6 wealthy preachers under federal investigation

Also on Avvo: 6 outrageously wealthy preachers under investigation

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