Should Pastors Live in Multi-Million Dollar Mansions?

For a pastor, how much luxury is too much?

A massive complex of homes owned by Texas Bishop I.V. Hilliard recently hit the market, reigniting the debate over whether faith leaders should live in multi-million dollar megamansions.

The home must be seen to be believed. An Instagram post from realtor.com highlighting the opulent home recently went viral, and commenters had a lot to say about a man of God living so extravagantly. 

If you’ve got $15 million lying around, the 24 acre compound in the Houston suburbs can be yours!

It’s a jaw-dropping home, but… should pastors live like this? An Instagram post from realtor.com highlighting the opulent home recently went viral, and commenters had a lot to say about a man of God living so extravagantly. 

Should Pastors Live Like This?

Bishop I.V. Hilliard, who also goes by Apostle Hilliard, is the head of New Light Church in Houston, Texas, though primary pastoral duties have been taken over by Hilliard’s daughter Dr. Irishea Hilliard in recent years. The massive arena-sized megachurch boasts tens of thousands of members, and has its own television ministry and even a credit union.

Recently renovated in 2020, the mansion complex boasts a breathtaking foyer, granite finishes, a master bedroom with a 20-foot ceiling, five commercial kitchens, a banquet hall, a 22-car garage, and dozens of bedrooms and bathrooms.

With a private gym, personal theater, swimming pool, tennis courts, and even a hair salon, you’ll never have to leave your home again. And that’s just in the primary residence; There are five more homes on the property.

The land is officially classified as a parsonage, meaning that Hilliard doesn’t have to pay an estimated six figure yearly property tax because it’s a “minister’s retreat.”

Would Jesus Approve?

On the post highlighting Hilliard’s home, there was no shortage of outraged comments critical of a faith leader living so luxuriously.

Many drew a contrast with the messaging in the Bible and this blatant display of opulence.

“Jesus definitely didn’t live this way,” commented one Instagram user. “All while his parishioners live in squalor, right?” quipped another.

“This is greed,” said another commenter. “Jesus called you to be humble and to serve others. This money should have gone to the church and projects to help others.”

Prosperity Gospel

Hilliard is a proponent of prosperity gospel, a philosophy that teaches that wealth shows God’s favor.

Prosperity preachers often solicit donations from even their most destitute parishioners, promising that their donation is like planting a financial seed which will later blossom. As prosperity preachers say, these donations, tithes, and financial contributions are a way to express one’s devotion to God – and if you donate enough, you’ll be blessed financially in return.

Prosperity gospel is a controversial theology to say the very least. Critics contend that prosperity preachers are at the very least hypocritical, if not outright charlatans. They live in mansions, drive fancy cars, and fly in private jets… while preaching the gospel of a man who wore rags and sandals.

It’s worth nothing that Hilliard’s palatial mansion is hardly an outlier. Most wealthy megachurch pastors, including Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, and Steve Furtick, live on massive, often tax-free compounds.

But should they? Critics say these lavish lifestyles are antithetical to the gospel, but those who preach prosperity gospel argue that they’re uplifting their flock financially and spiritually.

And if along the way they happen to acquire a few tax-free mansions out of it, then so be it.

What is your reaction?