Millionaire televangelist Joel Osteen is roasted over tweet to his followers about the ‘simple things’ in life
The internet is reacting to a particularly out-of-touch tweet from millionaire TV evangelist Joel Osteen, who urged people to 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 worth $10.5 million and $2.9 million. The $10.5 million mansion, located in Houston, comes complete with a swimming pool, pool house and three elevators.
Bystanders quickly pointed out the apparent hypocrisy, also pointing to his status as senior pastor at his megachurch in Lakewood.
The church receives millions in donations from churchgoers who respond to Osteen’s call to donate during sermons, and has 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 “may not have many resources” are “blessed” as long as they are healthy. If you can look at the stars at night,” you are blessed, he said.
The internet is reacting to a particularly out-of-touch tweet from millionaire TV evangelist Joel Osteen, who urged people to 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 worth $10.5 million and $2.9 million. The $10.5 million home, seen here in Houston, comes complete with a swimming pool, pool house and three elevators
The internet continued to bash him mercilessly.
“If you can look at those stars from the balcony of your house, you’re Joel Osteen,” someone sarcastically sneered.
“It is incomprehensible that anyone could send a dime to this morally bankrupt con artist,” said someone else.
“You may not have many resources… multiple mansions, a yacht and sports cars were all bought on the backs of the suckers he’s talking about,” the commentator continued.
“Religion is the biggest scam on the planet.”
Someone else shared how Osteen’s church made news a few years ago when it refused to open its doors to victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Only after fierce opposition did the pastor finally give in and open the institution, which has a capacity of 16,000 people.
“I saw Joel Osteen trending and thought he closed his church doors again because of a hurricane,” the person said.
Onlookers were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy, along with his high-profile status at his megachurch in Lakewood (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.
‘Both fake Christians who cheat the weak of mind out of money.’
Another shared a photo of Osteen sitting on his private jet with his wife, ridiculously quoting the televangelist.
“Joel Osteen: ‘It’s the simple things in life,’” the viewer wrote.
“And Joel Osteen,” they added, sharing the chic photo.
Someone else referenced the rumor that the preacher would be paid a salary at Lakewood, despite his repeated claims that he forgoes an annual salary in favor of the money he makes from book sales.
“Joel Osteen is coming to tell us how hard life is on a $54 million annual salary,” wrote the person who shared a meme of a cat driving a luxury motorized sports car.
“The hidden answers tell you everything you need to know about Joel Osteen,” someone else added, referring to the number of these tweets that were hidden.
The church receives millions in donations from churchgoers who respond to Osteen’s demands for donations during sermons, and operates on an annual budget of about $70 million. One of Osteen’s sermons can be seen here
“Joel Osteen, who is worth $100 million, lives in multiple mansions and owns multiple yachts, wants you to know that money doesn’t buy you happiness,” added another.
“But he still wants you to send him as much money as possible.”
Another, sharper dig was simply, “Osteen is a greedy, hypocritical piece of trash” – figuratively sticking a fork in the pastor for a roast fit for a king.
The post even caused Osteen — who took over leadership of Lakewood Church in 1999 when his founder father died — to trend on X.
The church previously came under fire in 2021 when it was revealed that it had received $4.4 million in PPP loans that were later repaid.
The Financial Times reported in 2019 that Osteen’s church raised $89 million in donations in 2017 and gave $1.2 million to charity.
During that time, the church spent $115 million upgrading its facility, which was previously home to the NBA team Houston Rockets. Those upgrades included two 30-foot waterfalls.