The Internet is reacting to a particularly out-of-place tweet from billionaire televangelist Joel Osteen, who insisted that people should enjoy the “simple things” in life even if they “don’t have a lot of resources.”
The 61-year-old televangelist has a net worth of at least $50 million and owns two homes in Texas valued at $10.5 million and $2.9 million. The $10.5 million mansion, located in Houston, comes equipped with a swimming pool, pool house and three elevators.
Onlookers were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy, along with his low-profile status at his Lakewood megachurch, where he serves as senior pastor.
The church receives millions in donations from parishioners who heed Osteen’s demands for donations during sermons, and operates on an annual budget of about $70 million.
On Wednesday, Osteen stated “It’s the simple things in life that bring us the most joy.” And that those who “don’t have a lot of resources” are “blessed” as long as they have health. If you are able to “look at the stars at night,” you are blessed, he said.
The Internet is reacting to a particularly off-color tweet from billionaire televangelist Joel Osteen, who insisted that people should enjoy the “simple things” in life even if they don’t “have a lot of resources.” The popular pastor, seen here in April, uses sermons to ask for money
The 61-year-old televangelist has a net worth of at least $50 million and owns two homes in Texas valued at $10.5 million and $2.9 million. The $10.5 million mansion, seen here in Houston, comes equipped with a pool, pool house and three elevators.
The Internet proceeded to mock him relentlessly.
“If you can look at the stars from the balcony of your mansion, you’re Joel Osteen,” one person sarcastically said.
“It’s incomprehensible how anyone could send a penny to this morally bankrupt scammer,” another person said.
“You may not have many resources…” multiple mansions, a yacht and sports cars were purchased behind the backs of the fools he refers to,” the commentator continued.
“Religion is the biggest scam on the planet.”
Another person focused on how Osteen’s church made headlines a few years ago for refusing to open its doors to victims during Hurricane Harvey.
Only after intense backlash did the preacher finally relent and open the facility, which can seat 16,000 people.
“I saw Joel Osteen trending and thought he had closed his church doors again during a hurricane,” the person said.
Viewers were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy, along with his profile on his Lakewood megachurch (seen here in Houston), where he serves as senior pastor.
Another compared the devout Christian to Donald Trump, writing: ‘Joel Osteen and Donald Trump are basically the same person.
‘They are both false Christians who scam the weak-minded out of their money.’
Another shared a photo of Osteen sitting on his private jet with his wife while mockingly quoting the televangelist.
Joel Osteen: “It’s the simple things in life,” the viewer wrote.
“Also Joel Osteen,” they added, sharing the stylish photo.
Someone else cited the Lakewood preacher’s rumored salary, despite his repeated claims that he forgoes an annual salary in exchange for the money he makes from book sales.
“Joel Osteen is coming to tell us how hard it is to live on a $54,000,000 annual salary,” the person wrote, sharing a meme of a cat driving a luxury sports motor vehicle.
“Hidden replies tell you everything you need to know about Joel Osteen,” another person added, referring to how many of these tweets were hidden.
The church receives millions of dollars in donations from parishioners who heed Osteen’s demands for donations during sermons, and operates on an annual budget of about $70 million. One of Osteen’s sermons can be viewed here
‘Joel Osteen, who has a fortune of 100 million dollars, lives in several mansions and owns several yachts, wants you to know that money will not bring you happiness,’ added another.
—But he still wants you to send him as much money as you can.
Another more direct comment simply proclaimed ‘Osteen is a greedy, hypocritical piece of trash,’ putting a figurative fork in the shepherd’s pie for a roast fit for a king.
The post even resulted in Osteen (who took over Lakewood Church in 1999 when his father, the founder, passed away) trending on X.
The church had already faced controversy in 2021, when it emerged it had received $4.4 million in PPP loans that were later returned.
The Financial Times reported in 2019 that in 2017, Osteen’s church raised $89 million in donations and spent $1.2 million on charitable causes.
During that period, the church spent $115 million on improvements to its facility, which was formerly home to the Houston Rockets NBA team. Those improvements included two 30-foot waterfalls.