I'm not looking to exclude people, I'm looking to include them.
— Joel Osteen
I believe the scripture says that being gay is a sin.
I don't know what can be so dangerous about giving people hope.
Sometimes when you take strong stands, if you're not called to do it, you're dividing the audience you're trying to reach.
On Sundays when I speak, I hopefully give somebody something that they can use the next day at work or at home.
We need to show mercy. I mean, because as much mercy as you show people, that's the mercy you're going to be receiving.
Sometimes, I think if you get away from what you're called to do, it's more of a distraction.
I deal with more practical issues of the Bible.
You may make some mistakes - but that doesn't make you a sinner. You've got the very nature of God on the inside of you.
We were old sinners - but when we came to Christ we are not sinners anymore.
Only God can look at somebody's heart.
If you want to reap financial blessings, you have to sow financially.
If Jesus were here today, he wouldn't be riding around on a donkey. He'd be taking a plane, he'd be using the media.
I'm going to let God be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell.
I think Bible principles are principles for life.
I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be.
God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us.
I'm not for gay marriage, but I'm not for discriminating against people.
It's amazing how people will give when you don't ask. Many of them send money because they believe in the message.
Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it's hard. When you do that you are passing the test. And God promises you your marked moments are on their way.
I'm trying to make God more relevant in our society.
I don't have all the answers.
I mean we all need a second chance sometimes.
My message is that God is a good God.
I like to think my dad was easygoing and kind, and I think some of those things have been passed down. I am like him in a sense of being positive and hopeful. He was compassionate, and I've got a lot of that in me as well.
You can be happy where you are.
To me, we're marketing hope.
Most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change.
If you give, you will be blessed.
I've never preached one sermon on money, on just finances. I want to stay away from it.
I try to speak in everyday language. I feel like God has gifted me to take Bible principles and make them practical.
I made a decision when my father passed away that I was going to be who God made me to be and not try to preach like my father.
I don't go down the road of condemning.
God wants to bless us where we are.
Gays are some of the nicest, kindest, most loving people in the world.
God's desire is that we excel.
Why don't you start believing that no matter what you have or haven't done, that your best days are still out in front of you.
I've always been - you know, my personality is motivating and encouraging. And so I'm just being who God made me to be.
I write all my sermons.
I think the word rich is all relative.
I don't like to beat people down. They need to be lifted up.
Prospering just doesn't have to do with money.
When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.
People respond when you tell them there is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind.
It's God's will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty. It's God's will for you to pay your bills and not be in debt.
If we say it long enough eventually we're going to reap a harvest. We're going to get exactly what we're saying.
I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know.
I think God's justice is making wrongs right.
I have always believed in God.
I don't want to just preach to the church. I feel like I have a broader message.
