Is this teaching biblical?
Rod Parsley openly declared from the pulpit: 'I want your money. I deserve it. This church deserves it.' This is not taken out of context — it is the core message of his ministry. The apostle Paul said the exact opposite: 'I have coveted no one's silver or gold' (Acts 20:33). Peter commanded elders to shepherd 'not for dishonest gain' (1 Peter 5:2). Jesus said 'Freely you have received, freely give' (Matthew 10:8). Parsley says: 'I DESERVE it.' The contrast between the apostolic model and Parsley's model could not be more stark.
What did Rod Parsley say?
"I just love to talk about your money. Let me be very clear — I want your money. I deserve it. This church deserves it."
Speaker: Rod Parsley
Source: World Harvest Church sermon, Columbus Dispatch (2005)
What does Scripture actually teach?
Acts 20:33-35
"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak."
— NKJV
Paul says: 'I have coveted NO ONE'S silver or gold.' Parsley says: 'I WANT your money.' Paul worked with his own hands to provide for himself. Parsley lives on a 21-acre gated compound with a private jet. Paul's model was self-sacrifice. Parsley's model is self-enrichment.
1 Timothy 6:5-10
"Useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
— NKJV
Paul warns about those who 'suppose that godliness is a means of gain' and commands: 'From such withdraw yourself.' Parsley's ministry is built on the premise that godliness produces financial gain. Paul says withdraw from such people. Parsley says: 'I deserve it.' Paul says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
1 Peter 5:2-3
"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
— NKJV
Peter commands: 'not for dishonest gain.' Parsley from the pulpit: 'I want your money. I deserve it.' The pastoral office exists to serve the flock, not to extract from it. When a shepherd openly demands the sheep's resources as his right, he has ceased being a shepherd and become a wolf.
Matthew 10:8
"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
— NKJV
Jesus commanded: 'Freely you have received, freely give.' Parsley says: 'I deserve it.' These two statements cannot coexist. Either the gifts of God are given freely, or they come with a price tag. Parsley's entire ministry is built on the price tag model. Jesus said the opposite.