COMICSANDS
percolately
georgetakei
secondnexus
george's picks
Louisiana evangelical preacher Jesse Duplantis was widely criticized for saying during a fundraiser that the reason Jesus hasn't returned is because "people are not giving the way God told them to give."
During a "Victorython" fundraiser for Kenneth Copeland's televangelist ministry, Duplantis said:
"I really believe this, if people would call this number, and put this Victory all over the world, every available voice, every available outlet - the Father would say, 'Jesus, go get'em'."
Duplantis' comment came while bragging about being a multi-millionaire.
Participating in a "Victorython" fundraiser for Kenneth Copeland's ministry, right-wing pastor Jesse Duplantis brag… https://t.co/6zDcTORvgs— Right Wing Watch (@Right Wing Watch) 1632332102.0
Despite this brag, he told viewers if they handed over their own money, it would speed up the return of Christ.
He initially said:
"I honestly believe this—the reason why Jesus hasn't come is because people are not giving the way God told them to give. When you understand this, you can speed up the time."
After this, Duplantis bragged about being a multi-millionaire.
"So what is hindering all these things is because people are not doing - in the financial realm, because we're living in an economic world - what God's called them to do. You know? He's called us to do that."
"I don't have a problem with giving, I don't have a problem with receiving - it doesn't make any difference, I just made up my mind, I want Jesus to come."
Despite this sentiment, Duplantis did not donate his own millions of dollars to the fundraiser.
Televangelist Jesse Duplantis told viewers to his TV show that Jesus has not returned because people are not giving… https://t.co/B1IRyjD1C9— Martin Dillon (@Martin Dillon) 1632671177.0
Pastor Jesse Duplantis net worth is $20 million, Joel Osteen is $100 million, and Kenneth Copeland is $800 million.… https://t.co/ae2qGuPO9S— C.W. Uphold (@C.W. Uphold) 1632569886.0
Participating in a "Victorython" fundraiser right-wing pastor Jesse Duplantis brags about being a multi-millionaire… https://t.co/X4fpcobjo5— Mark (@Mark) 1632337058.0
Duplantis has been criticized in the past for using his ministry to buy private jets and furnish an extravagant lifestyle. He and Kenneth Copeland defended their ministries by claiming commercial planes were full of demons.
This maybe wouldn't be as big of an issue, if he did more for the community. But it seems Duplantis believes money is better spent on jets and mansions than helping others.
Enough so other Christians are calling out Duplantis as a grifter.
Shameless pastor Jesse Duplantis claims Jesus hasn’t returned because congregation hasn’t donated enough money. Wh… https://t.co/Jcm4UJNvVU— Johnsonvenida3 (@Johnsonvenida3) 1632505609.0
@ChristianPost Well.Well. You are witnessing a decline in donations to these bogus evangelical ministries. This is… https://t.co/7aerYBJzFL— Warren Harrison (@Warren Harrison) 1632708479.0
God is not blind to this Jesse Duplantis Claims Your Donations Can Speed the Return of Christ https://t.co/dIzlhAxoFa— Eli Garza (@Eli Garza) 1632582824.0
Jesus NEVER asked for money. That's NOT in the Gospels. So what's your excuse, Jesse Duplantis? https://t.co/bjlAsoONlt— Lynn Wofford, MPA 🇺🇸🇨🇦 (@Lynn Wofford, MPA 🇺🇸🇨🇦) 1632437844.0
Earlier this month, Duplantis was criticized for not helping the community after damage caused by Hurricane Ida. He defended himself by claiming he had donated $100,000 worth of generators.
When you compare that to the $54 million private jet he purchased in 2018, it seems like a bad return on investment for those who've donated to his ministry.
Duplantis has also defended himself for the purchase of the private jet, claiming that he never asked for money for the aircraft. Instead, he told his viewers to "Believe in god with me."
This just happened to lead to his ministry having the millions for the private jet and a fraction of that cost for helping the people in their community.
@CopelandNetwork @jesse_duplantis Silence, grifter.— ForeverResister 🇺🇸 (@ForeverResister 🇺🇸) 1632369391.0
@CopelandNetwork @jesse_duplantis Like receiving private jets?— adultwithbraces 😬 (@adultwithbraces 😬) 1632366505.0
.@rightWingWatch: 'Pastor' Jesse Duplantis needs a new yacht so he tells congregation 'Jesus will return" as soon… https://t.co/zKZrEdCG0F— Covid Doesn't Care Who You Voted For (@Covid Doesn't Care Who You Voted For) 1632482904.0
@jesse_duplantis You are a grifter. Real pastors don't have a personal jet because they don't need it. Don't use Je… https://t.co/BoerLpdKYc— Swina Allen (@Swina Allen) 1632653135.0
Kenneth Copeland who Duplantis was raising money for, also spoke during the fundraiser and called vaccines the "mark of the beast."
Since airlines are expected to implement vaccine mandates, this was Copeland's excuse for needing several more private jets.