Joel Osteen Net Worth: Pastor Closes Megachurch During Hurricane Harvey

Social media criticized Pastor Joel Osteen for apparently not allowing misplaced Hurricane Harvey victims to use his massive Houston-based Lakewood church for shelter over the weekend. Many questioned why the wealthy pastor refused to house the victims or publicly donate funds to relief efforts.

Osteen, 54, has an estimated net worth of $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He is also listed as the fifth-richest pastor in America, according to Belief Net. He is the senior pastor of the Houston-based Lakewood Church and claimed his position after his father and former head pastor died in 1991.

The Houston-based pastor once made an estimated $200,000 from running the church. However, he relinquished his salary in 2005. His sermons are televised worldwide and he is a best-selling author whose books have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller’s list.

His first book released in 2004, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential," has sold more than 10 million copies, according to the Star-Telegram. His second book, "Become A Better You," grossed him $13 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Osteen’s book deals and tours reportedly earned him about $55 million annually.

"I am what I am today because of what I believed about myself yesterday," his book read. "And I will be tomorrow what I’m believing about myself right now."

After an estimated $95 million in renovations, Osteen and his congregation moved into the formally known Compaq Center in 2005. The Lakewood church now seats almost 16,000 people and has about 40,000 members. The building is made up of wall-to-wall carpeting and indoor waterfalls.

Osteen’s church isn’t the only seemingly affluent property attached to his name. The Houston pastor, his wife Victoria and three children live in a 17,000 square-foot mansion, worth an estimated $10.5 million in River Oaks, according to Newsmax. His home reportedly contains six bedrooms, six bathrooms, three elevators, a pool house, five fireplaces, three elevators and a guest house.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey on her show "Next Chapter," the Lakewood pastor talked about his wealth and how he grossed much of his money from book sales. Besides the books, he has a series of calendars, daybooks and other items that earn income.

"It’s interesting how people usually know who’s sincere and who’s not over time — we don’t ask for money and people send in millions of dollars to help us keep the broadcast on the air," Osteen told Winfrey. "We don’t take a salary from the ministry, it comes from books and other things like that."

Winfrey asked Osteen if he "makes any apologies" for his wealth. Osteen suggested that God was responsible for his possessions and wealth. He claimed it was because his family often donated to the less fortunate.

"I really don’t, Oprah. We just feel like this is God’s blessings," he said. "You know, we’re big givers, we live what we preach, we’ve given millions of dollars. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a nice place to live and being blessed."