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What Gift Do You Give a Televangelist Who Has Everything?
Orginally published on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 8:01 AM
by Todd Rhoades
How about a 2.1 million dollar check? That's the story that the "Bible Belt Blogger" tells on his blog: "If the evangelist is Kenneeth Copeland and it's his 70th birthday, you give him one of those oversized cardboard checks -- with a seven-digit dollar figure. Happy Caldwell, pastor of Little Rock's Agape Church, said fellow evangelists chipped in $2.1 million and presented Copeland with the gift on Thursday night in Texas..."
Caldwell told the story during this morning’s service, moments before collecting an offering. An audible gasp went up when Caldwell revealed the size of the present. Caldwell didn’t say how much Agape Church had kicked in.
Kenneth Copeland and his wife Gloria were apparently delighted with the outpouring. “They were speechless,” Caldwell said. “That’s about a million dollars apiece.”
Copeland’s son spearheaded the fundraising gift. Caldwell said Copeland deserves the money because he’s been generous with the millions he receives in tax-deductible contributions. “When you’re a heroic giver, eventually you’re going to be a heroic receiver.”
Read more about Kenneth Copeland’s Birthday present here at the Bible Belt Blogger…
TAGS: Kenneth Copeland; TV Evangelist
By the way, I have a birthday coming up, just in case Happy Caldwell would like to start working on that one. It’s in August, so there’s still time! 
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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
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Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 8:37 AM
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Posted by Daniel
Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 9:15 AM
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Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:59 AM
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Posted by Rick Leland
Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 4:01 PM
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Monday, January 29, 2007 at 9:52 AM
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Monday, January 29, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Post Your Comments:Although I don’t always agree with Copeland’s theology, I respect his efforts for many many years to spread the gospel.
That being said, this action borders on blasphemy. With all of the unsaved in this world, with all of the poverty in this world, with all that we need to be doing, giving $2.1 million dollars as a birthday present to an evangelist would not seem to be the “Christian” thing to do.
The world is constantly watching Christians to see if they do as they say. This just sends the worst possible message at the worst possible time.
If they had donated the money to some Christian charity in Copeland’s name, nothing negative could be said.
What in the world (literally) are certain Christian leaders thinking? Is this what the Bible calls us to do?
What do I do when I receive a gift of 100 dollars? Is my first thought “yay, how can I spend this for me?”, or is it “Lord, how can I use this to manifest your Reign?”. I’ll be honest, most often, it’s number one. This is the very same attitude that, in a different culture (e.g. the culture of televangelism), leads to the behavior we seem to be observing. May God sanctify us that we may be faithful in little--to the end that those of us who receive much can be faithful with it as well. We’re only weak vessels of clay.
Copeland’s son spearheaded the fundraising for his 70-year old father? A son who will probably inherit a lot of this money when his father passes away relatively soon (even though he can now afford the finest medical care in the world - no faith healing needed for him)?
What an ingenious method for getting rich. I think I’m going to be sick.
Praise God!!
Kenneth Copeland started out dirt poor. And now through an unwavering faith in God, he has one one of the most amazing soul harvesting ministries on planet earth.
What a tribute of love to this amazing vessel of God. I can only ask God that I may be able to do a fraction of what Kenneth Copeland has done for the Kingdom of God.
Sure, he will get a lot critics, saying this is unbiblical. Well if it is, my Bible tells me that a critic has the responsibilty of contacting (at least making an significant effort) the person to try to steer them back on to the “correct” path.
Bottom line--I may be off track. What’s the fruit in a person’s life? Are they furthuring the kingdom of God?
P.S My birthday is on May 25th.
I wonder how many souls have been saved through this man’s ministry. Perhaps if you were to relate the great gift he was given to the souls that are saved through his ministry you might find that the preacher that recieved $1000 gift for his birthday was a lot more expensive to the kingdom with less souls being won to the Lord per dollar.
I think I remember a similar precedant in the Bible where we are told that Jesus, “who for the joy set before Him received 3 million shekels on his birthday from his disciples....” I wonder if the Lord is saying, “Oh this is so wonderful. I am so pleased. My children have given my servant such an enormous gift while other of my servants can’t even pay their bills and many of my children around the world are starving. This so delights my heart.” Give me a break! This kind of extravagance is beyond bizarre, it’s disgusting. What does a 70 year old religious celebrity need with 2 million bucks? Anyhow, if there are any rewards to be received, I thought the Father was the One to dole these out when we had completed our work. Appears to be just another symptom of a sick, materialistic church culture, at least in the west.
While I was writing this response I received an e-mail from a friend I sent this article to a few minutes ago. His terse response says a lot. “But it won’t buy a cheeseburger in heaven. Amazing...”
Sarcastic in Raleigh
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