Joel Osteen’s ‘Simple Things’ Post Sparks Fury

Texas megachurch pastor and televangelist Joel Osteen recently received backlash on social media after posting about the importance of “the simple things in life.”

In a post on Wednesday to X, formerly Twitter, Osteen wrote, “It’s the simple things in life that bring us the most joy. You may not have a lot of resources, but if you have family, you’re blessed. If you have your health, you’re blessed. If you can look up at the stars at night, you’re blessed.”

While Osteen received over 5,000 likes and some supportive comments, others pointed to his wealth and accused him of being “greedy” and a “hypocrite.”

It is hard to find a definitive net worth for Osteen, but reports list it at $40 million to $100 million. He owns a $2.9 million mansion in Houston and another $10.5 million home in River Oaks, according to reports.

Responding to Osteen’s post, one X user posted pictures that reportedly show Osteen’s mansions and wrote: “The simple things in life? Give me a goddamn break.”

“Joel Osteen worships money. Greedy, self-serving, liar,” another X user wrote.

Someone else on X wrote: “You donating your salary then?”

There have also been rumors that Osteen owns a yacht and a sports car, but these claims have not been proved.

“There’s nothing ‘simple’ about your lifestyle. Why don’t you sell your million dollar mansions and sports car? Stop being a hypocrite Joel Osteen … you’re a hypocrite,” read an X post in response to Osteen.

Another user posted: “Joel Osteen, worth $100 million, living in multiple mansions, and owning multiple yachts wants you to know that money won’t bring you joy—but he still wants you to send him all of the money you can.”

“This the same Joel Osteen, that wouldn’t open his church up for the folks suffering during a hurricane?” a different user added. Another replied: “Yet people still flock to his church and keep giving him money—how naive and ignorant do you have to be?”

In 2017, following the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Harvey, Osteen’s Lakewood Church reportedly displayed a notice that it was closed due to “severe flooding.” Osteen denied that his church ever closed its doors to hurricane victims, writing on social media at the time, “Lakewood’s doors are open and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter.”

Newsweek reached out to Joel Osteen Ministries via online form for comment on Thursday.

Osteen grew up in Houston and took over as senior pastor of Lakewood Church in 1999 after the death of his father, John Osteen. The televangelist is married to Victoria Osteen, also a pastor at Lakewood. Their church draws in over 45,000 worshippers every week and its international media broadcast reaches more than 200 million households. Osteen has written dozens of books, including Your Best Life Now, Think Better, Live Better and The Power of I Am.