A Rich Pastor Angers Critics After Getting $4M

“Joel Osteen repay PPP loan” was the sentiment of many people. Osteen is the senior pastor of the Houston-based Lakewood Church. He received a $4.4 million Paycheck Protection Program loan, angering many people. Social media blasted him because they couldn’t understand why a wealthy preacher with a tax-exempt church would get these funds. I understand people’s outrage, but here’s my question: Did Joel Osteen deserve the backlash? In my opinion, he did not, and I tell you why below.

Table of Contents

• The Church Is a Business (Sort of)
• The Big Payback
• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
• Recap
• Find Out More
• Sources

The Church Is a Business (Sort of)

Joel Osteen’s church met the qualifications for receiving the PPP loan. The federal government’s Small Business Administration oversees the program. Under the federal CARES Act, money is set aside to help small businesses struggling with financial hardships due to the COVID-19 crisis. Companies may use the loan for various things, such as payroll, utilities, rent, mortgage, and operation expenses. You say, “Yeah, that’s for businesses. Osteen got money for his church.”

Here’s the deal. PPP loans are also available to faith-based organizations and non-profits. Almost $8 billion went to religious organizations. I guess Joel Osteen’s PPP loans made major headlines because Lakewood Church is the largest church in the U.S. There is a list of reasons churches should not take the PPL loan. For example, it’s not a good look when tax-exempt organizations, such as churches, receive taxpayer-funded loans.

Excuse me! I encourage you to check out an article I wrote. Tithing and taxes – the surprising connection you need to know about.

Of course, just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s ethical, right, or moral. Nevertheless, the federal government gave its stamp of approval to churches. So, under the law, Osteen church was eligible for the funds. He obtained government resources that were legally available to him. Individuals who take issue with this would be better off sharing their feelings with lawmakers.

The Big Payback

The PPP loan is not a government handout. As the name says, a loan must be paid back. We can presume Osteen’s church applied for the loan with the intent of paying it back. Of course, the SBA has a PPP loan forgiveness program. If for some reason, a business or FBO can’t repay, the loan will be forgiven. Regardless, the PPP loan is not set up as a cash grab for rich people, including pastors.

Now, we know people abuse government programs for their gain. Joel Osteen, to my knowledge, has not had any financial scandals. So, there’s no reason to think he’ll misuse the PPP loan, which brings me to my next point.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

The PPP loan isn’t for Osteen’s personal use. Lakewood has close to 400 part-time and full-time employees. I’m quite sure COVID-19 affected their finances. Remember, these are real people who must provide for their families. Instead of laying off or firing his staff members, he’s using the funds to pay his employees. From where I stand, Osteen did the right thing to help ensure his team received salaries during this crisis. Here’s what Lakewood Church’s spokesperson, David IIoff, said:

Lakewood finally applied for the PPP loan and has been able to provide full salaries and benefits, including health insurance coverage to all of its employees and their families.

(This is an excerpt from his official statement)

Everyone dragging Joel Osteen about the $4.4 PPP loan acts like he’s pocketing the money. If anything, he’s doing what you expect a pastor to do: to look after his flock.

Recap

Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church received $4.4 million in PPP loans. He became the target of much criticism, especially among people who think all preachers are money-hungry, greedy scammers. I get that sentiment because there are preachers who fit that description. I don’t believe in painting everyone with a broad brush. I believe in being fair and balanced. With that said, the backlash against Osteen wasn’t warranted.

One, Lakewood Church is legally eligible to apply for the funds. Under the CARES Act, the SBA provides loans to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Two, the funds aren’t a government handout. It’s a loan that’s meant to be paid back. Finally, the church needed the money to pay employee salaries. It’s not like Osteen took the money for selfish gain.

I get it. Joel Osteen is an easy target. He’s a “prosperity gospel preacher” who is allegedly worth $100 million and pastors the largest church in America. If we’re objective, Osteen doesn’t deserve the backlash. Instead, his critics may want to reserve that energy for the federal government. After all, your senators and congressmen allowed tax-exempt churches to receive billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded PPP loans. It’s just a thought.

Find Out More

Discover the hidden truth about tithes the church doesn’t want you to know. Click here.

Sources

SBA PPP Loans
Faith-Based Organizations PPP Loans
30 Biggest American Megachurches
Joel Osteen’s $44M Federal PPP Loans