I have to admit, that I am rather disappointed in learning just how much the Grahams make each year. Preaching the Gospel is not a money-making career, not in my opinion. But there is also a lot to be said in how this money is made, as well.
Some preachers take a moderate salary, but gain their wealth off of book and cd sales. I really don't see much difference, because I would hope that the books and cd are also a medium for preaching the gospel, so overcharging for these in order to gain wealth is no better than keeping too much of the offerings people send in.
In some cases, the amount of money taken in and kept by the preacher isn't the real issue. Those who lie from the pulpit and claim they are broke when they are not, or sell blessings and use other gimmicks to fleece the flock... could live off of only $20,000 a year and I would still have a problem with them. They don't deserve even that much!
As the case with Franklin Graham, he is the CEO of two different non-profit organizations, and collects a healthy salary from both. How the World justifies that non-profit CEO's should get 3-500,000 dollars a year, I do not know! But I do have a problem listening to Franklin justify his income, mostly by comparing secular companies with his own. It just doesn't fly with me that the excuse that the ministries were playing catch-up by paying him $2-300,000 each into his retirement accounts both in the same year; is why his income went over a million dollars. Income that is, reported by the two organizations. We don't know just how much more he might be gaining yearly from royalties and other investments.
I can understand the justification that, because everybody else is doing it, then why not me? But seriously, does Billy Graham need $226,920 each year from his ministry for being retired? They seem to be doing a really good job at giving his son plenty of extra cash to retire with, doesn't he have any savings himself?
Some people dig deep to help support organizations such as these in the hopes that their dollars are going to something useful. I don't think it is right to gain millions upon millions of dollars for your own personal wealth out of the heart-felt donations of others.
Personal donations made directly to the preacher is another thing altogether though.
I remember Benny Hinn being seen driving an expensive car through the security gates at the neighborhood where he lived. People freaked out! As it turned out though, some nice fellow had paid off the mortgage on his house, and he felt the need to move into a secluded estate where people couldn't come bugging him knocking at his door.
I can't say I think Hinn spent the money wisely, but iirc I think the gift was for around $400,000. This I have absolutely no problem with. A 400k one time gift from someone who wants you to use the money to take care of your family so you can spend your time concentrating on the gospel. But that is ever so much different than "earning" 400k each and every year from those who donate the money for use of the ministry, or to help alleviate the needs of those starving in other countries!
I think that preachers, if they would just limit themselves to a moderate salary, could use what they make and learn to live within their budget. If God wants to bless them, then wealth can most certainly come through other means besides ministry donations. Rather than charging excessively so we can be blessed with them preaching the Gospel, they could trust God for their extra wealth, and perhaps someone will donate personal funds or maybe God could give the preacher wisdom on where to invest his money, which could pay off to where he doesn't have to rely upon more donations to survive through his retirement years!
