The Oral Roberts Lawsuit
I read in today’s State paper that a lawsuit has been filed against Richard Roberts, president of Oral Roberts University, charging that he has misused University resources and power to support a local polictical candidate and support a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family.
First, I hope these allegations are untrue. Second, I remember a book written years ago by his first wife, Pattie Roberts, Ashes to Gold. In that book, she described the jet-setting lifestyle enjoyed by the Roberts family. She also described her growing disillusionment and the eventual divorce that ended her family. Could this conduct be a pattern?
Whenever I hear such allegations, it stirs my heart. Over the top abuse of gifts given for God’s work robs Christians of authenticity. A skeptical culture says, “See? See? It’s not real. The whole Jesus thing is a hoax to make money.” Don’t people realize the penalty for robbing God? It invites God’s judgement and wrath.
Granted, my salary is paid by gifts from God’s people. I have been fairly compensated by the great people of ADBC. But there is a line that must be respected and never crossed - the line of integrity. That’s why there has to be accountability - at ADBC, you can trust there is. To the best of our ability, we are going to faithful managers of all God puts into our hands. Count on it - and you can count it too.
