4. Joel Osteen (Net Worth $40 Million)
Joel Osteen started out as the producer for his father’s program which had run for 17 years. After plenty of encouragement from his father to get out from behind the cameras, most of which Joel turned down, the first pastor on this list finally gave in. Sadly, his father died six days later from an unexpected heart attack. Joel Osteen has been the face of Lakewood Church ever since.
Worth an estimated $40 million, Joel doesn’t hold as many assets or seem to care about the money nearly as much as the next individual on this list. While his home is lavish and worth $10.5, it is modest compared to many in his tax bracket. With six bathrooms and bedrooms, three elevators, a guest house, a pool house and five fireplaces, it is a subtle mansion compared to most. He also owns his $2.9 former home.
He stopped taking his $200,000 salary from the church in 2005, so most of his income is from his books and non-church related speaking engagements. As an accomplished author, he has touched millions through his televised sermons and his inspirational writings. Some take issue with his wealth considering he teaches about a rich life based on family and happiness, but he says that the money is just a part of what he does and not what defines him.