[33], He released his second book, titled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day, in October 2007. He doesn't change His promises to us. Mrs. Osteen was away for. Known for his weekly televised services and several best-selling books, Osteen is one of the more prominent figures associated with prosperity theology and a fulcrum of its critics. In his first sermon since the Harvey floods (via Fox News), Joel Osteen defended his church's decision not to open its doors until the internal flooding had subsided, and he told his parishioners, many of whom lost their homes, to buck up and deal with it. YoungJoelwas initially reluctant to join the family business, but his Southern Baptist dad managed to persuade him to give preaching a go in 1999 and passed away just six days later, leaving Osteen in charge. "When you're looking at his lavish private lifestyle, I'd say that's too much. "Joel Osteen's Kids & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Joel Osteen Net Worth: Pastor Closes Megachurch During Hurricane Harvey", "Religious Broadcaster Gets Rich Contract for Next Book", "Joel Osteen's Credo: Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate Prosperity", "Joel Osteen says homosexuality is not God's best for man", "Joel Osteen: Being Gay Is A Sin, But I Don't Dislike Gay People", "Televangelist Joel Osteen on the power of Twitter, and same-sex marriage", "Joel Osteen, Israel and the Jews: an exclusive Q&A Jewish Journal", "The prosperity gospel, explained: Why Joel Osteen believes that prayer can make you rich", "Joel Osteen is successful: But does God want us all to be rich? Dear Joel Osteen, Is Being a Sellout Shepherd Your Ministry? CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Joel and Victoria Osteen. [47] In an interview in 2011, Osteen stated his support for Israel.[48]. Within a few years his weekly television broadcast reached households in more than 100 countries and became the top-rated inspirational program on the air. It's worth noting, however, that Osteen hasn't accepted his $200K annual salary from Lakewood Church since 2005, and instead lives off his highly lucrative book deals. According to IndyStar, Joel Osteen gets his knack for preaching to the masses honest from his father, John Osteen, who was a Southern Baptist pastor. An advertisement purports to provide readers with "the real reason behind Joel Osteen's divorce." You could be forgiven if you thought clicking on a link for an article . In fact, Pete Harris, private investigator and 20-year veteran of church misconduct investigations, specifically says that Osteen "stays on the right side of the law.". Victoria Osteen worked at her mother's jewelry store while attending college and in 1985, she is said to have first met Joel when he came into the store to buy a new watch battery, according to a feature story about Victoria and her book "Love Your Life" in Houston Lifestyles & Homes.