Person Exposes Greedy Pastors By Showing What Expensive Designer Items They Wear Every Day
Interview
Practice what you preach. We expect our leaders—no matter who they are—to maintain certain standards of decency and to uphold the same values they profess to support. Those expectations are very clear when it comes to religious authority figures, whom we hope to be charitable and to focus more on the spiritual rather than the material things in life. Alas!
The ‘Preachers N Sneakers’ Instagram account, run by Dallas-based Ben Kirby, calls out those religious leaders who act like hypocrites by showing how some of them wear extremely expensive designer items. Having amassed a following of 247k followers in two years, Kirby continues to show the dissonance between what preachers, pastors, and priests say and what the details of their clothing reveal about their actual lifestyles.
Bored Panda reached out to Kirby and spoke to him about keeping religious leaders accountable and what keeps his relationship with his faith strong. Be sure to read on for his insights.
When you’re done looking through this list, you’ll find Bored Panda’s earlier article about ‘Preachers N Sneakers’ right over here. Just in case you wanted some more content before your upcoming Sunday service, that is (we sincerely hope your pastor is more down to earth than the ones featured here).
More info: Instagram | PreachersNSneakers.com | Book
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Old Pic, Timeless Style With Pastor John Gray In The Supreme X Louis V Jacquard Denim Parka $9,625
To hell with the poor and suffering!! It's all about the greed!!!
Hillsong Teaching Pastor Nathan Finochio Bringing It At #colourconf 2019 In Some Ferociously Fab Tiger Slides. Gucci Slipper $1,100
Mosaic Mexico Pastor Emerson Nowotny Keepin The Tide Pen Handy While Rocking This Super Fresh Supreme X Louis V Tee $1,407
$1400.00 for a .50 cent T-shirt???? I guess the starving people in the streets can starve for a bit longer.....what the hell, right?!!
Kirby told Bored Panda that we ought to encourage faith leaders to surround themselves with people who can be honest with them about their actions. "Many churches today are led by one pastor couple with no elders or leadership team on the same level, that’s asking for trouble. Being a pastor is a tough job; it’s an immense calling to lead others spiritually. Why wouldn’t you put as many safeguards in place to help you stay above reproach?"
According to the founder of 'Preachers N Sneakers,' if you're an active member of your local church and you donate to the ministry, it's fine to ask questions about how the organization is "saving, spending, and giving that money." Kirby is a big believer in transparency and thinks that it's a good way to maintain a strong relationship between parishioners and the clergy.
"If you ask about finance specifics and get a wishy-washy answer with no real reporting, you should ask yourself why," he said. "On a more macro level, I think a time is coming where massive church organizations will at least be required to provide more detailed financial reporting to the government or some other governing authority. So many churches have enormous donation revenues (hundreds of millions of dollars), commercial real estate holdings, and licensing income that seemingly have no reporting requirements compared to a for-profit business."
Pastor Mike Todd Staying Anchored In The Balenciaga Triple S $1,090
Prophet Bryan Maldonado Keepin That King Jesus International 501c3 Status Intact In The Royal Blue Lv Runners $1,020
If Retail On The Kicks You’re Wearing Is $2k And The Resale Market Is Paying $8-9k, What Are Your Shoes Worth? Jordan 1 Retro High Dior $8,100
It's just ironic.. is this normal? I'm muslim & have no idea why do these preachers/pastors can live in luxury? Are they given more than enough wages from the church or from ur government? Can anyone explain it to me?
Kirby added that with the advent of the pandemic, the account's content has changed "significantly" with remote services taking the place of physically going to church.
We also enquired about what keeps Kirby's faith strong and whether his project has changed anything. "My relationship with Jesus, my wife, and my community has helped keep my faith strong. Getting insults from other Christians for two years didn’t exactly make me feel great, but it caused me to really dig into why I believe what I believe and learn to place my worth in what God says about me and not what others have to say," he revealed.
"I’ll just say that I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help others push for a more authentic faith and representation of Jesus to the outside world. I didn’t do this in a perfect way and definitely don’t have all the answers, but am trying my best."
Here Is A Supreme Beach Ball, $125
Pastor Troy Gramling Back At It Again With The Super Breathable Givenchy Hoodie $1,240
Jordan 1 Retro High $4,005
Just goes to show you how ignorant and stupid the sheeples are.
Kirby, now 31, first decided to draw attention to how famous pastors live after watching some worship songs on YouTube and noticing how the lead singer was wearing 800-dollar sneakers. He found it suspicious how the Elevation Worship megachurch could afford to pay their musicians that much money. What’s more, he started wondering how the church’s pastor, Steven Furtick, could afford new designer outfits incredibly often.
Curiosity didn’t kill the cat; it started a new Instagram account that posted the price tags of the shoes that well-known pastors were wearing. In a single month, the IG account drew in a whopping 100k followers, hungry for gossip and righteousness.
In an interview with Sarah Pulliam Bailey from The Washington Post, Kirby said that at the very beginning, it was “easy” for him to make jokes about it. “Some of the outfits are absurd, so it’s easy to laugh at some of the designer pieces. The price tags are outlandish.”
Pastor Maldonado Stayin Ricci In Good Works While Sporting The Primo Belt Of Truth. Stefano Ricci Belt $2,541
Y’all Busting These Out If Your Family Gettin The Inaug? Jordan 1 Retro High Dior $7,210
Pastor John Gray With Relentless Details! Givenchy Sweatshirt $1,145
I think they do this to show off and rub it in the faces of the congregation.
As time went by, he began asking some more in-depth questions about the relationship between status and wealth, and whether it was right to earn so much money while preaching about Jesus. “I began asking, how much is too much? Is it okay to get rich off of preaching about Jesus? Is it okay to be making twice as much as the median income of your congregation?” he said.
Kirby had kept his true identity a secret, however, he finally shared it with The Washington Post after publishing his new book, ‘PreachersNsneakers: Authenticity in an Age of For-Profit Faith and (Wannabe) Celebrities.’ Having grown up in a Christian home-schooling family, Kirby is an evangelical and believes in sharing his faith with others.
His family generously donated to their church because they lived a “comfortable but modest lifestyle,” however, Kirby began having doubts about how honest some religious authorities were after he saw his pastor driving an expensive car.
Flannel But Make It Fashun. Gucci Jacket $2,580
Pastor Furtick With The Fully-Realized Adam-And-Yves Saint Laurent Blessings On Feet $1,095
If your religious leaders are NOT living in a modest home, driving a cheap vehicle, and wearing cheap off the rack clothes, and preaching from a simple, cheap building..........they only thing they are worshipping is money!!!
We’re One Week In And Bishop Td Jakes Has Already Secured The Bag To Secure A Bag. Christian Louboutin Belt Bag $1,250
Pastor Judah (Smith) And The Lion Of All Gucci Jackets. $3,600
The Lord Works In Mysterious Color Combinations. Lv Sweatshirt $725, Air Force 1 Sneakers $1,145
Here’s A Fendi Hoodie $1,290
The only UNITY this con-artist wants is YOUR money in HIS bank account!!
“Like Hollywood—a world so often criticized by the pietistic—these institutions and their leaders celebrate and reward the ‘blessing’ of fame, popularity, and influence. Pastors function like ‘talent’ performing for an audience or like a spokesman for the church’s ‘brand,’” Kirby scathingly criticizes the hypocrisy that’s found among the ranks of some of the devout in his book.
Transformation Church Pastors Mike Todd And Charles Metcalf Rocking Their Conference-Best At Transformation Conference. Nike Air Fear Of God 1, $1500
Look at that pompous douchebag! Wow. And the stupid fuktards of the world keep dumping their wallets into his bank account!
Pastor Troy (Gramling) Likes His Tees The Same Way He Likes His Digiorno: Supreme. $1,550
Pastor Jimmy Rollins In The Union Air Jordan 1s And The Crease That Surpasses All Understanding, $1,250
It’s not just what pastors and preachers officially earn. They can get the kicks, clothes, and other things as gifts or donations. Kirby, however, hasn’t lost his faith and doesn’t blame fashion and celebrities as a whole. He encourages other Christians to demand greater transparency and accountability.
“I’m getting people to question the status quo within the church and hopefully push for a reevaluation of what we value. People aren’t going to reach God without this guy wearing Yeezys? Come on,” he told The Washington Post.
Prophet Passion Java With Those Subtle Gucci Vibes. $1,850
In Honor Of Serena Williams Crushing It In The Us Open Right Now, Here Is Pastor Crank In The Nike X Off White Blazer Serena. $1,050
2020: Year Of The Bargain. Alexander Mcqueen Sneakers, $960
Preachers N Sneakers. Versace Sneakers, $995
If it weren't for the shoes I would have expected this look to have come from the dumpster behind Goodwill.
Pastor Emerson Nowotny In The Fear Of God Awolnation Colorway. Air Fear Of God 1, $750
Preachers N Sneakers. Amiri Boots, $1,490
Pastor Keion With Some Classic Burberry Blessings. $690
Pastor Rich Dub In The Sean Dub’s. Nike Air Max Sneakers, $1,045
This, Right Here, Is My, Multi-Site Swag Ayye. Burberry Hoodie, $770
Sad. Dolce & Gabbana Jacket, $543
For When You’re In Anticipation Of The Blessings To Rain Down Like The Salmon Of Capistrano. Burberry Jacket, $900
Pastor Mike Todd Rocking The Ultra Exclusive, European Release Off White Jordan 1. $3,036
One Of The True Ogs, Pastor Jesse Duplantis Stayin Vv Dry In The Ultra-Classic Louis V Damier Bomber Jacket. $1,309
The Original Bearded Banjo Worship Leader, David Crowder, Rocking “A Collision” Of Off White And Jordan Brand. $3,450
Pastor Td Jakes On The Go With This Max Cap Louis V Messenger. $2,590
Pastor, Author And Filmmaker Td Jakes Choppin It Up With Pastor Steven Furtick In Some Spike Sock Red Bottoms. $1,295
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo Straight Supersizing That Louboutin And Louis Vuitton Combo. $1,195 & $2,530
It’s A Vibe With Preacher Manny Arango In These Cloudy Versace X 2 Chainz Collabs. $1,501
Preachers N Sneakers. Yeezy Sneakers, $770
Pastor Todd In Unions With Christ. Jordan Sneakers, $1,800
That post info too.. Just pathetic gloating... Ignore my speech but like dude look at my J's I'm one of a kind.
Pastor Rich In The Presidential Crocs. Yeezy Sneakers, $500
Preacher And Worship Leader, Sean Feucht Uppin That Security Along With His Yeezy Game. $604
1. Standard Flex: Wearing Nike Air Fear Of Gods You Got At Retail.2. Advanced Flex: Wearing Nike Air Fear Of Gods That Were Gifted By Your Homie, The Actual Designer.3. Supreme Registered Flex Offense: Wearing Nike Air Fear Of Gods, Gifted From Your Homie The Designer, The Very Next Day After They Sell Out In 15 Seconds On Snkrs. $610
Pastors Obed Martinez, Toure Roberts, Benny Perez, Marie Silva And Josiah Silva Straight Putting On A Pns Clinic! Yeezy And Nike Sneakers, $268 & $1,750
Pastor Dharius Daniels With The Classic Yevangelical Vibes. Best Yeezy Ever? Yeezy Sneakers, $1,200
Bad And Boujee? More Like God And Gucci With Pastor And “Preachers Of Atlanta” Cast Member, Realtalkkim. Gucci Combo, $1,650 & 1,250
Are you sure they didn't come from a mall discount store for $18, because they look like they did.
Pastor Rodrigo Palmer Stayin Completely Suede In The Spirit. Fear Of God Sneakers, $595
Sad. Thom Browne Shirt, $450
This is the only piece of clothing on the list so-far that I might actually wear, provided it was on clearance at Marshalls for $16.
Pastor Chad With That Steph Tanner Swag. Rhude Jacket, $693
Preacher Of The Pocket, Questlove, Spotted At The Shaft Movie Premier Red Carpet Reppin It For The Family In The F&f Preachersnsneakers Hood. for Those Who This Is #whooshing: The Price Is A Joke, Quest Got This 1of1 Exclusive From Us.
What does that title even mean? Maybe I need more coffee, but I can't make sense of the verbiage here.
Bishop Jakes In A Versace Jacket, ~$500
This is why i'm pleased about not going to Heaven; i can avoid associating with these people
It just doesn't sit right that religious leaders make a personal profit off their parishioners. Make a living, sure, but I struggle to see how taking so much excess from the church pot can be seen to be in line with any religion.
Aside from the "preacher" thingy, who the hell pays so much for clothes just because there is a particular label on it?
My only question is who the hell would spend 125$ on a BEACH BALL?
Religion is good business. You can promise anything and if you are charismatic enough people will give tons of cash for something you can never prove.
Unfortunately, there is a movement among many of the megachurches (not all or even most) that teaches if you follow their doctrine, god will make you rich. When that is your message, the preacher wearing $1000 hoodie "proves" it works. Joel Osteen is the call-to example of this.
“Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” -Matthew 19:21-24
My dad is a pastor but he would never do this, the only "name-brand" thing he has gotten himself was an iphone 7
And this is why I don't follow/support any of these people. They preach about giving to the poor, and then buy luxury items. I prefer the preachers/priests that actually live what they teach.
Religion is such a disgusting grift. How can people in today's age believe in these con men/women, nevermind hand over money to them. Humanity will never be free until we are free from Religion.
My church is LITERALLY the most wealthy church in the world worth 100 BILLION USD yet our leader lives in a simple home wears cheap suits and drives a Toyota Avalon when he could if he wanted too take millions or billions of dollars out to his name. Every leader of our church does the exact thing and lives extremely modest lives.
Ridiculous prices aside, why do all of them want to look like giant douches?
This passage prevents me from being surprised: A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power? And then will I say to them, I never had knowledge of you: go from me, you workers of evil. Matthew 7:22-23
My dad is pastor. He wears a $100 suit. He wouldn't even want any suit, but he is supposed to look "representative". We are not in America though, no churches make ton of money here.
I am a full time traveling Christian Entertainer I have spoken at over 2000 churches. I work on a donations basis and put a lot of my emphasis on ministering to the poor. Jesus SAYS in Matt 25:31-46 Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother you do unto me. Please be aware that the vast majority of Christians reject these shameless, ungodly, sinful, displays of opulent, pointless luxury.
Once I saw an article where a man won a brand new car. He sold it back to the dealership and bought two used cars. He kept one and gave the other to his neighbor who needed a car. I think about that man a lot. He should be a pastor, he's doing the real good work. How many pairs of good shoes could these pastors buy. How many cars for people who need them. How much rent could they cover if they lived in a modest home?
A lot of these are just plan ugly. Not sure why some people think it’s amazing just because it costs a lot
Religion it's a scam. it has no use anymore. at the time it was a conduct code but now that we have laws and science it has no use. and so many leader are corrupt (like any other leader) religion it's not better than any other place in society
Why do dumbasses pay more than $1,500 for a $15 T-shirt? And most of those basket shoes are ass ugly, just a about everything with that poor mans excuse of a logo from Louis Vuitton.
Apparently, wealth liquefies the brain. What hurts me is that being polite, nice and frugal nowadays does not seem to pay off. The shouting, greedy and wasteful seem to have a much better life than I. And you can argue that karma will get them and my reward will be latest in heaven, but that is an assumption at best - i yet have to see any evidence.
In the Orthodox Church, our priests and bishops wear cassocks and plain black shoes/boots. That's not to say this kind of thing doesn't happen at all – fallen human beings are fallen human beings, after all – but it's pretty rare. Every now and then there's a priest or bishop who has a pair of expensive shoes, a flashy car or watch, etc. Almost always in such cases these are gifts from the wealthy faithful, and not something he purchased for himself. Orthodox clergy don't really have any "disposable income"; they are not permitted to hold worldly jobs, so they are fully supported by their parish. Their rule of life consists in the monastic/clerical ideals of poverty, renunciation of the world, and personal sacrifice in devotion to God.
Most of these so-called preachers and religious leaders look like thugs using religion as a pretense to scam people. The clothes just underline that impression.
This has been going on for as long as I have been alive. I'm 59 years old and I have always thought it to be ridiculous. Paying tithes is supposed to go to the Church funds for the upkeep of the Church. Not the preacher's personal lifestyle. No Prophet of the lord should live 20 times better than their congregation. Unless they have a Job like the rest of the world.
It’s not their fault, it’s the people who worship and support them. You can smell their BS from a mile away.
I am one of those people who really like sneakers lol. Yes I spend 200+ for a collective shoe or sweater but I guess everyone has their spending. For some it's cars or porcelain dolls.
Shamelessly fleecing gullible & stupid people. I’m sure Jesus approves. Tax the churches now.
Certainly not who outsiders and those already harboring bitterness need to focus on. Send those folks a message, if you have a concern or question. Much of their income for this comes from the books they write and other things they own. Their salaries are not high enough to warrant this. Is that ideal, that they can spin their celebrity into book deals etc? I don't know. Regardless, how would you dress if a public figure? Thrift stores?
these rich preachers have sold out for "corruptible crowns"... King Jesus has offered them the riches of heaven, but they foolishly settled for the riches of the world. These riches will all fade away someday. The preachers will weep & gnash their teeth when they realize what they have thrown away.
Oh, they have MUCH to learn. Visit Poland, see how preachers get million dollars worth of land from the government... as a gift. Or expensive golden jewellery. Or artworks. So, yeah, somehow the most hypocrites you'll find within "religious" people groups. For some reason - mostly among catholics
Imagine standing in front of all the congregation, showing the pastor/preacher snickers price tag, n then say “Matthew 19:23: Then said Jesus unto His disciples, “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”.”
I guess if I was a conniving, self-absorbed, egotistical, corrupt, and self-entitled POS.... I'd be a lying, cheating, thieving "religious leader" too!!
I don't care as long as they don't make their money from little old lady types that leave everything they own to the church to help the poor and these preachers buy $2000shoes instead of running a soup kitchen or something like that. Someone mentioned one person was from Hill song so I get that bands make money. Just seems wrong to for a preacher to spend people's tithing money on shoes that cost thousands of dollars. I think I remember hearing money is the root of all evil. I don't really care , but at the same time I kinda have mixed feelings. Possibly reason #4213 I left Christianity. Makes me think of the movie The Rainmaker. Matt Damon tries to keep the little old lady from donating all her money to the preacher because "he needs a new jet. His jet is getting old."
Not one of them is an actual minister of God; every one of them is a fake, and has made himself a "minister," which is very easy to do by just ordering an ordination form/certificate online. Former friend of mine did it just for fun....he's a psychologist, but wanted to show how easy it is to pull things over on gullible people....and as soon as the "certificate" arrived, he got a gig as a minister in a church in the city I was living in at the time. He was Roman Catholic, but knew how to pull off a Protestant sermon perfectly, and he successfully fooled multiple churches into believing he was a traveling evangelist! That's about all these creeps are, nothing but hot air and fakery. At least my friend refused to take money, and when he had enough, he went back to all those churches and told them the truth. These men, though, will never admit the truth because THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS!
Do as I say, not as I do. They probably tell their followers that the more money the 'donate' the more closer to God they get.
Are they kind of endorsed by these brands ? Could be, as for me they are kind of influencers ( in their own branch but with a rather big audience/followers although...)
Is it possible that they are asked to wear the clothing for advertising? But in reality, I'm more surprised that people still follow and believe this guff. It's those people who keep these con artists in the money.
1. There is always a deluded subset of every sect's faithful whose members believe that leaders should have these extravagant perks; they want them to have this stuff. Their leaders' glorification reflects upon themselves. (Yes, insane. I know.) @. it's interesting is it not that almost none of these obscenely priced possessions can be easily dinstinguished from a perfectly ordinary version of the same object. That's why almost all of them display highly visible brand names. 3. Anyone who supports any of these brands is supporting this kind of abuse. 4. People who buy absurdly expensive clothes probably have very low self-images. Wearing brand names is probably an act of desperation. 5. In fairness we have to admit that Barnum was right: "There's a sucker born every minute." These parishioners have a psychological need to be taken advantage of, and their pastors' greed fills their need.
Absolutely chocking !! Kudos to Kirby for exposing this gross behaviour of people cheating on their congregation.Millions of Americans go to bed hungry every night...Shame !!
I don't care how much money you make , I just don't understand why people would spend so much on shoes and t-shirts. MORONS
Why are people so gullible? those preachers have no shame, also would I be right in saying that preachers seem to be getting younger?
It's hard to say. I know not all pastors are with God like they are supposed to be. It's even the same with the people who intend. Anyway, it's hard to say if all of em are actually greedy. I bought a coat from a thrift store once that had a name brand and I got it for 20 bucks when it's normally over 100 dollars.
I guess it's not called stealing because the suckers they fleece are giving it willingly. But it is immoral, should be criminal and is totally vile. Jesus be tossing over their tables if he were here.
In my teens I learned that religion was a scam. It has become even more evident with social media. Matthew 19:24 "And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." These are supposedly the spoken words of Jesus. They lead by example then; they will never get into heaven. I am an atheist and I will get there before they do.
God is shaking His head and Satan is jumping up and down in delight. Anything to divide us.
There is more money in religion and not for profit gigs then most of us would ever dream of making. Ask Prince Harry
I don't know who any of these 'pastors' are. Are they all part of this stupid name it and claim it prosperity crap because all the elders and pastors I know are not like this at all.
sad , they are in my eyes the poorest pastors in the world, they only possess money
Total bullshit! Just being a show-off n not caring about donating all that extra money to hospitals. “Christian” doesn’t mean good.
Just being show-offs n not caring about donating all that extra money to hospitals.
The Bible speaks loudly about these false preachers: " Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:23
their parishioners are being conned. This is not about Jesus, but showing off to other mega-rich pastors. Who the f& poses with a beachball for which they've paid over $100 when they'll know that many of their parishioners are struggling. I'll stick with being caring and sharing. Left the church, to help the homeless more. Addicts too (I'm in recovery.) "There but for the grace of God go I." Simple is best. <3 <3 <3
This is all about the EGO, nothing to do with humility, love nor compassion. I visited the Abyssinian Baptist Church (NYC) in 2009 and saw the same: tailor made suits, they looked like venture capitalists. And the pastor's SUV was HUGE :( So much bullshit :( Later, at the b & b I was staying at in Harlem, I heard one of the pastors asking the owner to use her large dance studio for an event. Naturally, they wanted it for nothing, because it was 'the Lord's work.' I hope she said NO! They're taking their followers for absolute fools. I took the wise decision to leave my church (UK Anglican) 6 years ago. Far too judgmental and exclusive. I prefer real and caring: talking to and buying food for homeless people is my thing. "There but for the grace of God...." We're all equal, I'm convinced of it. <3
Aren't these multimillion congregations? Like megachurches? Plus if it's in Texas there's no income tax and I'm sure these parishioners live the same lifestyle as their preachers.
The people who are think they can buy their way into heaven deserve to be taken by these fools. Our Creator would rather see one good deed than a million dollar check. Organized religion a way to enrich and empower a few while controlling the masses.
All the people who think they can buy their way into heaven by supporting these fools deserve to get taken. Our Creator would rather see you doing good deeds than giving a million dollars to these jerks. Your actions will get you into heaven a lot easier than your checkbook.
ok, the greed is one thing, obviously they are the dirt of the humankind... but does anyone actually think this looks good? those clothes are so f*****g ugly I would feel embarrased to hell to wear something like this even just taking out the trash in front of the house
The 'Prosperity Gospel' at work. These places are straight-up businesses, not places of worship. They ought to be taxed as such. They give real holy places a bad name.
Who is paying them all the money? And why are they called "religious” something, asking for a friend ? I’m convinced the comes from 1. donation by his fans aka community preferring show by bigot preachers to religion plus 2. brands & others companies using these people for product placement. Let’s hope only products are placed (vs weird ideas 😑) I don’t believe that any of these people would have paid the regular price.
Well, these are all sales people. They sell people a good feeling and get paid well for it. They clearly like to feel good, as well, and, apparently, spending eye-waatering amoutns of money on fairly ugly clothes makes them feel good. Even religion is pure capitalism in the US
I can't ever see myself spending this much on any of these items. $1000 for a pair of sneakers is crazy. $125 on a vinyl beach ball!
Noone with any amount of money should buy clothes that are as much as a rent or mortgage payment. These pastors take advantage of their parishioners
Pastors get paid, pastors can buy what they can buy what they want. Doesn't bother me at all.
How do you legit show up at a mega church and feel closet to God? We don't have this crap in the north
This is nothing compared to the private jets they cruise around in
They are not here to preach the word for the right reason! Shame on them!!!!
As someone who has been working in ministry for a decade and has never taken a paycheck for my work, this makes me very sad and angry, but it does not represent all Christians by any means.
Oh my goodness, I'm so surprised that these phonies are corrupt, greedy and shallow in addition to being the charlatans that they are. Or maybe not. People obviously want to be deceived.
Praise be to the lord for capitalism, greed and gullible followers. Amen.
Religion is the most profitable business bar none if you're willing to toss ethic and morality out the window. What other business accumulates enough wealth to basically own a small country?
one of the many things that gets me is how honestly banal all this stuff is. barely anything at all is stunning or amazing or breathtaking about these shoes or belts or hoodies or t-shirts that cost way way too much for what you get. it just seems as if the fashion houses are just phoning it in and slapping their name/logo and exorbitant price tag on it--and these fools are lapping it up. they're really embodying the idea that "a fool and his money are soon parted." Jesus said it best in matthew 6 (msg vers): "Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
At our church, all of our pastors are bivocational. So, they have other jobs. Two of the three work full time and do not get a salary from the church at all. The third, our senior pastor, has his salary split between our church and the seminary where he teaches. Other pastors I know live at the poverty level, and a few make middle-class level salaries. It's sad that the few who are in the media are hypocrites. But many times, they are in the media because they want to be, not because they want to do God's work.
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” - Matthew 19:21
I'm guessing there are different "levels" to these shoes because my kids have a lot of these, mostly Nike, and paid a FRACTION of the costs posted here. They do love their shoes, too.
The priests all wear the same old cassocks here, this wouldn't be tolerated by anyone.
Hey, don't stop there! How about pointing out some wealthy rabbis??? Or rich Imams??? No? Not going there, sticking to dissing members of only one religion? How come??
I can tell by the hairstyles and other clothe items that they most likely bought the expensive items or someone like a wife or kids bought it for them. There is a Bible verse that says that materials things like that, should not be something we hold on to or envy. Yeah, I think these so called pastors must have missed that verse.
So can just any old con artist with the gift of the gab set up a megachurch and become rich by fleecing innocent believers? This is legal why? I’m surprised that they have the guts to openly flaunt their excess on social media.
These people are massive suckers, because they're playing thousands of dollars for clothing that is ugly as hell, but has a designer label on it.
When I was a teen, my grandmother and other "old ladies" in the church would keep an eye out for items at Thrift stores / 2nd hand stores for the Pastor and his family. (We were in Palm Beach County. Nice stuff showed up.) They felt it was important they represented the church well by dressing nicely. Things the family didn't want were passed on to church clothes closet for others. I do not doubt there are some that take advantage of their position. But I would also assume some companies send free merchandise to pastors with big followings on social media. The company can use it as a tax right off and it's free publicity. At least, it's the only reason I can understand why they would wear some of those atrocious items. (Spending money on top of wearing it is more than I can comprehend.)
Why is this a concern to this busybody? I wouldn't buy any of these overpriced items, BUT it is their choice (remember how we have to agree to choice when it involves killing unborn babies). Unless they are stealing money from their church is it NO ONE"S BUSINESS BUT THEIR OWN. As far as I know, the only spiritual leaders required to take a vow of poverty are Catholic clergy.
Not defending any of these people, but didn't some disciples criticize the use of expensive oil to clean Jesus' feet, saying it could have been sold to raise money for the poor. And wasn't Jesus' reply to that to say "there will always be poor"?
First: Consider that some of these people probably were given the items for "exposure" by the manufacturer. Second" Each and every one of them should be ashamed of themselves for flashing such wealth in front of people that are probably struggling to pay for the basic necessities of life. All they're teaching kids is, to be somebody, you have to be able to wear the most expensive thing you can find. Where do they think the kids that emulate them are going to find the funds for this? Certainly from not doing anything legal.
It just doesn't sit right that religious leaders make a personal profit off their parishioners. Make a living, sure, but I struggle to see how taking so much excess from the church pot can be seen to be in line with any religion.
Aside from the "preacher" thingy, who the hell pays so much for clothes just because there is a particular label on it?
My only question is who the hell would spend 125$ on a BEACH BALL?
Religion is good business. You can promise anything and if you are charismatic enough people will give tons of cash for something you can never prove.
Unfortunately, there is a movement among many of the megachurches (not all or even most) that teaches if you follow their doctrine, god will make you rich. When that is your message, the preacher wearing $1000 hoodie "proves" it works. Joel Osteen is the call-to example of this.
“Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” -Matthew 19:21-24
My dad is a pastor but he would never do this, the only "name-brand" thing he has gotten himself was an iphone 7
And this is why I don't follow/support any of these people. They preach about giving to the poor, and then buy luxury items. I prefer the preachers/priests that actually live what they teach.
Religion is such a disgusting grift. How can people in today's age believe in these con men/women, nevermind hand over money to them. Humanity will never be free until we are free from Religion.
My church is LITERALLY the most wealthy church in the world worth 100 BILLION USD yet our leader lives in a simple home wears cheap suits and drives a Toyota Avalon when he could if he wanted too take millions or billions of dollars out to his name. Every leader of our church does the exact thing and lives extremely modest lives.
Ridiculous prices aside, why do all of them want to look like giant douches?
This passage prevents me from being surprised: A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power? And then will I say to them, I never had knowledge of you: go from me, you workers of evil. Matthew 7:22-23
My dad is pastor. He wears a $100 suit. He wouldn't even want any suit, but he is supposed to look "representative". We are not in America though, no churches make ton of money here.
I am a full time traveling Christian Entertainer I have spoken at over 2000 churches. I work on a donations basis and put a lot of my emphasis on ministering to the poor. Jesus SAYS in Matt 25:31-46 Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother you do unto me. Please be aware that the vast majority of Christians reject these shameless, ungodly, sinful, displays of opulent, pointless luxury.
Once I saw an article where a man won a brand new car. He sold it back to the dealership and bought two used cars. He kept one and gave the other to his neighbor who needed a car. I think about that man a lot. He should be a pastor, he's doing the real good work. How many pairs of good shoes could these pastors buy. How many cars for people who need them. How much rent could they cover if they lived in a modest home?
A lot of these are just plan ugly. Not sure why some people think it’s amazing just because it costs a lot
Religion it's a scam. it has no use anymore. at the time it was a conduct code but now that we have laws and science it has no use. and so many leader are corrupt (like any other leader) religion it's not better than any other place in society
Why do dumbasses pay more than $1,500 for a $15 T-shirt? And most of those basket shoes are ass ugly, just a about everything with that poor mans excuse of a logo from Louis Vuitton.
Apparently, wealth liquefies the brain. What hurts me is that being polite, nice and frugal nowadays does not seem to pay off. The shouting, greedy and wasteful seem to have a much better life than I. And you can argue that karma will get them and my reward will be latest in heaven, but that is an assumption at best - i yet have to see any evidence.
In the Orthodox Church, our priests and bishops wear cassocks and plain black shoes/boots. That's not to say this kind of thing doesn't happen at all – fallen human beings are fallen human beings, after all – but it's pretty rare. Every now and then there's a priest or bishop who has a pair of expensive shoes, a flashy car or watch, etc. Almost always in such cases these are gifts from the wealthy faithful, and not something he purchased for himself. Orthodox clergy don't really have any "disposable income"; they are not permitted to hold worldly jobs, so they are fully supported by their parish. Their rule of life consists in the monastic/clerical ideals of poverty, renunciation of the world, and personal sacrifice in devotion to God.
Most of these so-called preachers and religious leaders look like thugs using religion as a pretense to scam people. The clothes just underline that impression.
This has been going on for as long as I have been alive. I'm 59 years old and I have always thought it to be ridiculous. Paying tithes is supposed to go to the Church funds for the upkeep of the Church. Not the preacher's personal lifestyle. No Prophet of the lord should live 20 times better than their congregation. Unless they have a Job like the rest of the world.
It’s not their fault, it’s the people who worship and support them. You can smell their BS from a mile away.
I am one of those people who really like sneakers lol. Yes I spend 200+ for a collective shoe or sweater but I guess everyone has their spending. For some it's cars or porcelain dolls.
Shamelessly fleecing gullible & stupid people. I’m sure Jesus approves. Tax the churches now.
Certainly not who outsiders and those already harboring bitterness need to focus on. Send those folks a message, if you have a concern or question. Much of their income for this comes from the books they write and other things they own. Their salaries are not high enough to warrant this. Is that ideal, that they can spin their celebrity into book deals etc? I don't know. Regardless, how would you dress if a public figure? Thrift stores?
these rich preachers have sold out for "corruptible crowns"... King Jesus has offered them the riches of heaven, but they foolishly settled for the riches of the world. These riches will all fade away someday. The preachers will weep & gnash their teeth when they realize what they have thrown away.
Oh, they have MUCH to learn. Visit Poland, see how preachers get million dollars worth of land from the government... as a gift. Or expensive golden jewellery. Or artworks. So, yeah, somehow the most hypocrites you'll find within "religious" people groups. For some reason - mostly among catholics
Imagine standing in front of all the congregation, showing the pastor/preacher snickers price tag, n then say “Matthew 19:23: Then said Jesus unto His disciples, “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”.”
I guess if I was a conniving, self-absorbed, egotistical, corrupt, and self-entitled POS.... I'd be a lying, cheating, thieving "religious leader" too!!
I don't care as long as they don't make their money from little old lady types that leave everything they own to the church to help the poor and these preachers buy $2000shoes instead of running a soup kitchen or something like that. Someone mentioned one person was from Hill song so I get that bands make money. Just seems wrong to for a preacher to spend people's tithing money on shoes that cost thousands of dollars. I think I remember hearing money is the root of all evil. I don't really care , but at the same time I kinda have mixed feelings. Possibly reason #4213 I left Christianity. Makes me think of the movie The Rainmaker. Matt Damon tries to keep the little old lady from donating all her money to the preacher because "he needs a new jet. His jet is getting old."
Not one of them is an actual minister of God; every one of them is a fake, and has made himself a "minister," which is very easy to do by just ordering an ordination form/certificate online. Former friend of mine did it just for fun....he's a psychologist, but wanted to show how easy it is to pull things over on gullible people....and as soon as the "certificate" arrived, he got a gig as a minister in a church in the city I was living in at the time. He was Roman Catholic, but knew how to pull off a Protestant sermon perfectly, and he successfully fooled multiple churches into believing he was a traveling evangelist! That's about all these creeps are, nothing but hot air and fakery. At least my friend refused to take money, and when he had enough, he went back to all those churches and told them the truth. These men, though, will never admit the truth because THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS!
Do as I say, not as I do. They probably tell their followers that the more money the 'donate' the more closer to God they get.
Are they kind of endorsed by these brands ? Could be, as for me they are kind of influencers ( in their own branch but with a rather big audience/followers although...)
Is it possible that they are asked to wear the clothing for advertising? But in reality, I'm more surprised that people still follow and believe this guff. It's those people who keep these con artists in the money.
1. There is always a deluded subset of every sect's faithful whose members believe that leaders should have these extravagant perks; they want them to have this stuff. Their leaders' glorification reflects upon themselves. (Yes, insane. I know.) @. it's interesting is it not that almost none of these obscenely priced possessions can be easily dinstinguished from a perfectly ordinary version of the same object. That's why almost all of them display highly visible brand names. 3. Anyone who supports any of these brands is supporting this kind of abuse. 4. People who buy absurdly expensive clothes probably have very low self-images. Wearing brand names is probably an act of desperation. 5. In fairness we have to admit that Barnum was right: "There's a sucker born every minute." These parishioners have a psychological need to be taken advantage of, and their pastors' greed fills their need.
Absolutely chocking !! Kudos to Kirby for exposing this gross behaviour of people cheating on their congregation.Millions of Americans go to bed hungry every night...Shame !!
I don't care how much money you make , I just don't understand why people would spend so much on shoes and t-shirts. MORONS
Why are people so gullible? those preachers have no shame, also would I be right in saying that preachers seem to be getting younger?
It's hard to say. I know not all pastors are with God like they are supposed to be. It's even the same with the people who intend. Anyway, it's hard to say if all of em are actually greedy. I bought a coat from a thrift store once that had a name brand and I got it for 20 bucks when it's normally over 100 dollars.
I guess it's not called stealing because the suckers they fleece are giving it willingly. But it is immoral, should be criminal and is totally vile. Jesus be tossing over their tables if he were here.
In my teens I learned that religion was a scam. It has become even more evident with social media. Matthew 19:24 "And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." These are supposedly the spoken words of Jesus. They lead by example then; they will never get into heaven. I am an atheist and I will get there before they do.
God is shaking His head and Satan is jumping up and down in delight. Anything to divide us.
There is more money in religion and not for profit gigs then most of us would ever dream of making. Ask Prince Harry
I don't know who any of these 'pastors' are. Are they all part of this stupid name it and claim it prosperity crap because all the elders and pastors I know are not like this at all.
sad , they are in my eyes the poorest pastors in the world, they only possess money
Total bullshit! Just being a show-off n not caring about donating all that extra money to hospitals. “Christian” doesn’t mean good.
Just being show-offs n not caring about donating all that extra money to hospitals.
The Bible speaks loudly about these false preachers: " Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:23
their parishioners are being conned. This is not about Jesus, but showing off to other mega-rich pastors. Who the f& poses with a beachball for which they've paid over $100 when they'll know that many of their parishioners are struggling. I'll stick with being caring and sharing. Left the church, to help the homeless more. Addicts too (I'm in recovery.) "There but for the grace of God go I." Simple is best. <3 <3 <3
This is all about the EGO, nothing to do with humility, love nor compassion. I visited the Abyssinian Baptist Church (NYC) in 2009 and saw the same: tailor made suits, they looked like venture capitalists. And the pastor's SUV was HUGE :( So much bullshit :( Later, at the b & b I was staying at in Harlem, I heard one of the pastors asking the owner to use her large dance studio for an event. Naturally, they wanted it for nothing, because it was 'the Lord's work.' I hope she said NO! They're taking their followers for absolute fools. I took the wise decision to leave my church (UK Anglican) 6 years ago. Far too judgmental and exclusive. I prefer real and caring: talking to and buying food for homeless people is my thing. "There but for the grace of God...." We're all equal, I'm convinced of it. <3
Aren't these multimillion congregations? Like megachurches? Plus if it's in Texas there's no income tax and I'm sure these parishioners live the same lifestyle as their preachers.
The people who are think they can buy their way into heaven deserve to be taken by these fools. Our Creator would rather see one good deed than a million dollar check. Organized religion a way to enrich and empower a few while controlling the masses.
All the people who think they can buy their way into heaven by supporting these fools deserve to get taken. Our Creator would rather see you doing good deeds than giving a million dollars to these jerks. Your actions will get you into heaven a lot easier than your checkbook.
ok, the greed is one thing, obviously they are the dirt of the humankind... but does anyone actually think this looks good? those clothes are so f*****g ugly I would feel embarrased to hell to wear something like this even just taking out the trash in front of the house
The 'Prosperity Gospel' at work. These places are straight-up businesses, not places of worship. They ought to be taxed as such. They give real holy places a bad name.
Who is paying them all the money? And why are they called "religious” something, asking for a friend ? I’m convinced the comes from 1. donation by his fans aka community preferring show by bigot preachers to religion plus 2. brands & others companies using these people for product placement. Let’s hope only products are placed (vs weird ideas 😑) I don’t believe that any of these people would have paid the regular price.
Well, these are all sales people. They sell people a good feeling and get paid well for it. They clearly like to feel good, as well, and, apparently, spending eye-waatering amoutns of money on fairly ugly clothes makes them feel good. Even religion is pure capitalism in the US
I can't ever see myself spending this much on any of these items. $1000 for a pair of sneakers is crazy. $125 on a vinyl beach ball!
Noone with any amount of money should buy clothes that are as much as a rent or mortgage payment. These pastors take advantage of their parishioners
Pastors get paid, pastors can buy what they can buy what they want. Doesn't bother me at all.
How do you legit show up at a mega church and feel closet to God? We don't have this crap in the north
This is nothing compared to the private jets they cruise around in
They are not here to preach the word for the right reason! Shame on them!!!!
As someone who has been working in ministry for a decade and has never taken a paycheck for my work, this makes me very sad and angry, but it does not represent all Christians by any means.
Oh my goodness, I'm so surprised that these phonies are corrupt, greedy and shallow in addition to being the charlatans that they are. Or maybe not. People obviously want to be deceived.
Praise be to the lord for capitalism, greed and gullible followers. Amen.
Religion is the most profitable business bar none if you're willing to toss ethic and morality out the window. What other business accumulates enough wealth to basically own a small country?
one of the many things that gets me is how honestly banal all this stuff is. barely anything at all is stunning or amazing or breathtaking about these shoes or belts or hoodies or t-shirts that cost way way too much for what you get. it just seems as if the fashion houses are just phoning it in and slapping their name/logo and exorbitant price tag on it--and these fools are lapping it up. they're really embodying the idea that "a fool and his money are soon parted." Jesus said it best in matthew 6 (msg vers): "Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
At our church, all of our pastors are bivocational. So, they have other jobs. Two of the three work full time and do not get a salary from the church at all. The third, our senior pastor, has his salary split between our church and the seminary where he teaches. Other pastors I know live at the poverty level, and a few make middle-class level salaries. It's sad that the few who are in the media are hypocrites. But many times, they are in the media because they want to be, not because they want to do God's work.
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” - Matthew 19:21
I'm guessing there are different "levels" to these shoes because my kids have a lot of these, mostly Nike, and paid a FRACTION of the costs posted here. They do love their shoes, too.
The priests all wear the same old cassocks here, this wouldn't be tolerated by anyone.
Hey, don't stop there! How about pointing out some wealthy rabbis??? Or rich Imams??? No? Not going there, sticking to dissing members of only one religion? How come??
I can tell by the hairstyles and other clothe items that they most likely bought the expensive items or someone like a wife or kids bought it for them. There is a Bible verse that says that materials things like that, should not be something we hold on to or envy. Yeah, I think these so called pastors must have missed that verse.
So can just any old con artist with the gift of the gab set up a megachurch and become rich by fleecing innocent believers? This is legal why? I’m surprised that they have the guts to openly flaunt their excess on social media.
These people are massive suckers, because they're playing thousands of dollars for clothing that is ugly as hell, but has a designer label on it.
When I was a teen, my grandmother and other "old ladies" in the church would keep an eye out for items at Thrift stores / 2nd hand stores for the Pastor and his family. (We were in Palm Beach County. Nice stuff showed up.) They felt it was important they represented the church well by dressing nicely. Things the family didn't want were passed on to church clothes closet for others. I do not doubt there are some that take advantage of their position. But I would also assume some companies send free merchandise to pastors with big followings on social media. The company can use it as a tax right off and it's free publicity. At least, it's the only reason I can understand why they would wear some of those atrocious items. (Spending money on top of wearing it is more than I can comprehend.)
Why is this a concern to this busybody? I wouldn't buy any of these overpriced items, BUT it is their choice (remember how we have to agree to choice when it involves killing unborn babies). Unless they are stealing money from their church is it NO ONE"S BUSINESS BUT THEIR OWN. As far as I know, the only spiritual leaders required to take a vow of poverty are Catholic clergy.
Not defending any of these people, but didn't some disciples criticize the use of expensive oil to clean Jesus' feet, saying it could have been sold to raise money for the poor. And wasn't Jesus' reply to that to say "there will always be poor"?
First: Consider that some of these people probably were given the items for "exposure" by the manufacturer. Second" Each and every one of them should be ashamed of themselves for flashing such wealth in front of people that are probably struggling to pay for the basic necessities of life. All they're teaching kids is, to be somebody, you have to be able to wear the most expensive thing you can find. Where do they think the kids that emulate them are going to find the funds for this? Certainly from not doing anything legal.
