Yesterday, news traveled fast that the Houston Mega-Church to which Joel Olsteen is the senior “pastor” got $4.4 million in forgivable PPP loans, which is an astonishing amount for a $90 million dollar a year enterprise. The craven money grab opened Olsteen’s ridiculously luxurious lifestyle to further research and exposure. We reported [1] on the beginning of the wave yesterday. Our report contributed to the tsunami already building. This morning, Joel Osteen is trending on Twitter and people continue to look at his hypocritical lifestyle, the untaxable church, and income, versus Jesus’s actual teachings.
We have already reported on the fact that Olsteen’s church is hardly a church, more a business, and he uses that business to hide many of his expenditures:
Joel says that all of his income comes from book sales, and he earns an average of $3.5 million every year from said book sales and other religious events/ventures. Since he’s a member of the Lakewood Church, Joel can technically receive a bunch of allowances and stipends for his travel and lodging. These funds are not taxable.
Theoretically, he can also have credit cards and other expense accounts through the church that he is not obligated to pay taxes on. The Lakewood Church is a huge money-making entity that has around a $90 million annual budget, so it’s crazy to think that they don’t have a top legal and accounting team making sure that everything is on the up and up, especially on paper.
Given the PPP loans going to a $90 million untaxable “company” that refused to open its doors to Houston’s poor and suffering during Hurricane Harvey, Olsteen’s eight-digit home, and Ferrari, the net lit on fire:
Joel Osteen has made religion a lucrative career and the fact that he drives a $325,000 Ferrari as he asks people to send him money only shows how morally bankrupt he is.
His $10.5 million dollar house isn't too shabby and shows why he clearly needed that $4.4 million PPP loan. pic.twitter.com/Yc50BOwssL [2]
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) July 19, 2021 [3]
That’s the guy.
RT if you think pastors like Joel Osteen who use the pulpit just profit should have to pay taxes.
— ReallyAmerican.com 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) July 19, 2021 [4]
Every time I see Joel Osteen trend, I feel the urge to gift Twitter with his rather saucy words of advice, which he blocked me for repeating: pic.twitter.com/heiTuQ7TnZ [5]
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) July 18, 2021 [6]
I cringe when I see people quote/like Joel Osteen posts. Like, didn’t we all see his lack of morals/Christian values when Texans were in desperate need of shelter and he locked his doors? Crazy that he is the pillar of Christianity when he so blatantly ignores its teachings.
— kass (@kassadywright) July 14, 2021 [7]
Jesus was a poor carpenter who freely ministered to the needy … Joel Osteen is a mega-rich grifter who soaks the stupid for every cent he can get.
— Michael Coates 🌊🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸 NO LISTS, PLEASE (@Jukehorse50) July 19, 2021 [8]
Joel Osteen has been pimping his congregation for years. A Ferrari.. really! https://t.co/RGq9O8rKk1 [9]
— Mrs D says Common Sense tells you…🌊🌐🍃 (@Mrs_Cldh) July 18, 2021 [10]
My sister Valerie saw this little gem at a WalMart yesterday.
For the low, low price of $39.99, you too can own a “Joel Osteen Inspiration Cube.” This is a thing.
Feeling down? Hit up the Cube for a positive affirmation about yourself and God!!#exvangelical [11] pic.twitter.com/mgMAAyFPN3 [12]
— MindShift Podcast (@MindShift2018) July 15, 2021 [13]
There is no argument anyone could pitch me that would convince me Joel Osteen believes in anything. https://t.co/zdJpXHzWAC [14]
— IDeation #CopsOut (@PrivateIDeation) July 18, 2021 [15]
Joel Osteen is a Christian like Trump is a Patriot pic.twitter.com/6gS1wSXcgv [16]
— 🇲🇨 Female VoR 🇺🇲 🌊🌊💙 (@1988Vor) July 19, 2021 [17]
"What would Jesus think of Joel Osteen's $325,000 Ferrari?" @JakeLobin [18].
This isn't a tough question; #Jesus [19] was specific & concise on how to follow him, conspicuous consumption, avarice, lust for prosperity. On one occasion, he said to a dude who wanted/professed #Christianity [20]: pic.twitter.com/NsyWBcpsYD [21]
— TX = 4th worst US illiteracy; Abbott wants a wall (@lindajaniebrou1) July 18, 2021 [22]
Joel Osteen has perfected the Mega Church Religion Grift
— Jeff Keyes 🌊 (@JeffKeyes01) July 18, 2021 [23]
Ice T and Joel Osteen are trending, Twitter is really strange right now. pic.twitter.com/fes6w7FvpV [24]
— Rikki (@rikki_5) July 19, 2021 [25]
Joel osteen looks like if Zach Braff was turned into a Pixar character and then back into a human
— indoor kid (@wayhooooo) July 19, 2021 [26]
There is one absolute consensus, churches should be taxed. They have become political entities unto themselves and shouldn’t be protected any longer.
****
Peace, y’all
Jason
[email protected] and on Twitter @JasonMiciak