Excuse Me, Do You See Anything In My Eye?

Over the past couple of weeks some very good friends and I have been having an ongoing discussion about televangelists and whether they are helpful or hurtful for the lost. It all started Easter weekend when I was flipping through the channels after Sunrise Service (yes I got up before the sun came up for once) and I happened upon Joel Olsteen. Over the past few months I have truly enjoyed downloading podcasts from various pastors throughout the US and across the world and listening to them when I drive, or walk, or just whenever I feel like it. So I decided to listen to Joel's message to see if I could harvest a nugget or two of solid wsdom.
During his message Joel told a story about a young couple who came to him and asked him to pray with them. They wanted him to pray that the furniture they wanted for their home would go on sale so they would be able to afford it. Now I thought that I was being set up for a great punchline with this story, but to my surprise, Joel said that he told the young couple that instead of praying for the furniture to go on sale that he would pray that God would increase their income so that they could purchase the furniture at regular price. Joel referred to this as being in "God's Overflow". I was speechless.
A few days after seeing this a friend of mine from Lexington and I were talking and he mentioned that he just happened to be flipping through the channels on Easter Sunday and caught part of Joel Olsteen's message. He started to tell me the story about the young couple. He too was amazed that this was the message that Joel was delvering. We discussed how wrong we both thought Joel was in his method and message.
We then included another friend of our's who lives in Augusta, Georgia. This friend had a completely different perspective on the situation. He said that he views Joel like a kindgarten teacher for Christians. He lays a basic foundation and makes the people feel comfortable with the idea of religion and Christianity. I then began to wonder what position was correct.
As I was debating this issue a very important point was brought up to me by my friend in Lexington. We may not agree with what Joel teaches and how he teaches, but he is bringing people to know the Lord, which is more than what I have done for the Kingdom. I felt very ashamed of myself for even engaging in such a discussion about a Christian brother and I think the following verses from Matthew Chapter 7:3-5 sum up what I have learned from all of this:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

So instead of criticizing the ministry of someone whose heart I don't know, I have decided that my time will be better spent praying for those who come to Christ through Joel's ministry. I pray that they don't stop in Kindergarten, but rather that they continue learning and earn their M. Div. I also think that it is important for me to continue to ask God for wisdom and more importantly, humility.

So f you happen to see me walking around with my hands cupped over my eyes, just know that I am doing fine, but that I am working on dislodging the plank that has been there for a while.