(OPINION) The internet is reacting to an especially out-of-touch tweet from millionaire televangelist Joel Osteen – one that insisted people should enjoy the ‘simple things’ in life even if they don’t ‘have a lot of resources.’
The 61-year-old televangelist boasts 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 manse, located in Houston, comes complete with a pool, pool house, and three elevators.
Onlookers were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy, along with his high-profile status at his Lakewood megachurch where he works as senior pastor.
The church receives millions in donations from churchgoers who heed Osteen’s demands for donations during sermons and operates on an annual budget of around $ 70 million.
On Wednesday, Osteen declared ‘It’s the simple things in life that bring us the most joy,’ and that those who ‘may not have a lot of resources’ are ‘blessed’ as long as they have their health. If you’re able to ‘look at the stars at night’, you’re blessed, he said.
The internet proceeded to roast him relentlessly.
‘If you can look up at those stars from the balcony of your mansion, you’re Joel Osteen,’ one person sarcastically sniped.
‘How anyone could send a dime to this morally bankrupt conman is beyond comprehension,’ someone else said.
‘“You may not have a lot of resources..” multiple mansions, a yacht and sports cars were all purchased off the backs of the suckers he’s referring to,’ the commenter went on.
‘Religion is the greatest con on the planet.’
Another person honed in on how Osteen’s church made headlines a few years ago refusing to open its doors to victims during Hurricane Harvey.
Only after intense backlash did the preacher finally give way, opening the facility that has a capacity of 16,000 people.
‘Saw Joel Osteen trending and thought he had locked his church doors during a hurricane again,’ that person said.
