Televangelist Kenneth Copeland Brags About His $3 Million Private Jet

Yiiiiiiiiiiikes.

According to this, controversial televangelist Kenneth Copeland is under fire for purchasing a private jet and seemingly bragging about it. His ministry purchased a Gulfstream V private jet from Tyler Perry for $3 million.

In a thank you note posted with the video, a follower writes, ‘First, the Holy Spirit confirmed to Brother Copeland that the Gulfstream V was the plane the Lord had set aside for KCM. Right away discussions began, and Brother Copeland developed a wonderful personal relationship with the seller, Christian businessman and movie-maker Tyler Perry.’

Dressed in a bomber jacket, Copeland prays on the video, chuckling as he thanks God for the ‘partners’ (as he calls church members) who followed him and paid for the plane.

It’s his braggadocious demeanor that gives me a case of the icks.

“This is a big deal, this is a big plane,” he says in a video.

“Do you see this? Do you see this? I hope so, you bought it. You and Jesus,” he said.

That remark rubs me the wrong way. I absolutely know God blesses His people, but I disagree with Copeland’s emphasis on the importance of material wealth. The heart of God isn’t “I want you all filthy rich.” It’s “I want a relationship with you.” That’s not to say that God wants us all to be poor plebs either. Some Christians take it too far the other way. There’s no glory in being poor either. You shouldn’t seek that. It’s just as ugly as finding all glory and all your worth in riches. All I’m saying is, Copeland’s focus seems to be off. Your focus should always be JESUS. Not wealth. If that happens, awesome. God desires us to prosper, but don’t lose focus. This reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures. It’s one I often cling to. Psalm 37: 3-4:

“Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Delight yourself in the Lord. Not wealth. It doesn’t mean you can’t be wealthy or enjoy wealth and God’s blessings. (Lord knows I love my slowly growing purse collection.) It simply means, don’t lose your focus.

We’re all flawed. It’s easy for us to fall into a love of riches, but those in positions of power and influence need to constantly check themselves and make sure their heart is right. There’s nothing wrong with Christians or pastors being rich, but it’s easy to see why Copeland bragging about his giant private jet– paid for by the church– is rubbing a lot of people the wrong way.

It could be summed up this way: Don’t be prideful.

Surely, you understand where I’m coming from, right?

h/t Daily Mail