When asked if the expensive articles could have been gifted to the pastors, Jones doesn’t deny the possibility, but he still calls into question whether the pastors should be wearing such gifts while preaching.
I don’t know if they were gifts. All I know is that you’re on the ‘gram wearing a $2,000 pair of boots. I can’t reconcile it. I can’t think of a meaningful explanation as to why you would feel 100% okay with wearing a pair of boots that probably the majority of your congregation could never afford. I am just here to say, ‘Whoa, homie’s wearing $800 track pants.’ Y’all do with that what you want, you know?
What Should We Make of All of This?
For those of us who can’t imagine spending $800 on a pair of shoes (or wearing a gifted pair of said exorbitantly expensive shoes), it can be hard to grasp the argument that these pastors are simply trying to reach a certain demographic. The question arises, how can the pastor ministering to celebrities and professional athletes dress appropriately in their midst? Is there something to be said for fitting in, even when it comes to fashion?
Other, more pressing questions of financial stewardship come to mind. Do these pastors use their church salaries to pay for these articles of clothing? Even if they use royalties from book sales, are we comfortable with how they’re spending the money? Is it even our place to ask such questions?
What do you think?
