Non-Complementary Similarities Between Some Politicians and Pastors

You may not realize it, but some politicians and Christian pastors and teachers share things in common that, to put it politely, aren’t complementary.

Politicians generally say they go into politics because they are called to help their community and country and to do good. Christians who become pastors, teachers, or traveling evangelists feel a similar calling: to serve God, spread his word, lead people to salvation, and help the poor. Both usually start with the best of intentions, a commitment to serve honorably, and sincerity in all they do.

However, things and people change. No matter how honorable, honest, and noble their intentions, challenges and temptations arise. Sin lurks in the shadows and even in the hearts of men. Lust, greed, power, influence, and notoriety wait for the moment to pounce.

When does the fall from truth begin? In some people, sin is deep-seated from the start. In others, it takes hold only after they experience the treasures sin has to offer firsthand.

Usually, it begins when politicians and Christian leaders are first starting. They are unknowns, just beginning to gather supporters and meeting the people they are told they “Should get to know.” Next, a following of people forms who believe in them and trust their words. As the number of followers grows, so do their influence and notoriety. Then come the books and the invitations to speak at conferences and meetings. Somewhere in the mix, sexual temptation becomes available, money starts pouring in, and favors are asked and given. The line between innocence, faith, honesty, and trust blurs as excitement, greed, and popularity (all sins) become more interesting to follow. I call this “creeping increments of sin.”

This departure from righteousness follows all of us. But when it is exposed in politicians and Christian leaders, it gets more attention and has a larger impact on people.

Take Huey Long. A high-school dropout with little money but plenty of determination, he taught himself law and earned a law degree after only one year of study. He was Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1930. He was accused of many violations of the law, and although a politician’s salary was modest, he was reported to have a net worth of over $50 million at his death (roughly $1 billion today). He lived a lavish lifestyle marked by lust and greed while attaining massive popularity. On September 8, 1935, he was shot at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge and died two days later. He started as an idealist and ended up assassinated.

His story may sound familiar because the same sins, temptations, and greed are alive and well in many people, including prominent Christians such as televangelist Jimmy Swaggart.

Swaggart was born in Ferriday, Louisiana, and grew up poor in a community without electricity or paved roads. His father, Willie Leon “Son” Swaggart, was a fiddle player who worked for a bootlegger before he and his wife, Minnie Belle Herron, were drawn to the Assemblies of God. From there, Jimmy became very wealthy and very popular. His fall from grace came in 1988, when it became public that he had been cheating on his wife with a New Orleans prostitute. He was also reported to be a consumer of pornography who experimented with BDSM, all while condemning such “immoral” acts.

Since 1988, many celebrity pastors have come on the scene with even more lavish lifestyles, and many have crossed the line between serving Jesus and serving themselves. Seattle pastor Judah Smith has been pictured in a $3,600 Gucci jacket; Dallas pastor T.D. Jakes with a $1,250 Louboutin fanny pack, and Miami pastor Guillermo Maldonado in a $2,541 Ricci crocodile belt. PreachersNSneakers also posted a photo of Paula White in $785 Stella McCartney sneakers.

The list goes on of extremely wealthy pastors with enormous followings who flaunt their wealth while asking others to “give more.”

Pastors are not the only Christians who flaunt their wealth; many lay parishioners do the same. Wealth in itself is not evil. As 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Everyone is susceptible to sin. It has no boundaries and accepts all who respond to temptation, and Satan is especially pleased when Christians fall.

Politicians and pastors need our prayers. They both have a tough job resisting evil.