Pastor Keion Henderson, founder of The Lighthouse Church in Houston, Texas, has found himself at the center of controversy after making comments during a recent sermon that some have interpreted as dismissive of giving to the poor. Henderson, a well-known speaker and leader in the Christian community, made remarks that many are calling insensitive and contrary to the biblical mandate of caring for those in need.
During a sermon streamed live to his congregation and a wider online audience, Henderson suggested that while charity is important, it should not be the primary focus of a believer’s financial contributions. “We have to be wise with our giving,” Henderson said. “Sometimes we give so much to people who don’t know how to handle it, that we miss investing in the kingdom of God.” He continued, “Helping the poor is good, but it’s not the highest form of giving.”
These comments quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate on social media and among Christian leaders. Critics have accused Henderson of downplaying the importance of supporting the poor and vulnerable, a value deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments.
“Jesus himself said, ‘Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me,’” said one Twitter user. “For a pastor to suggest that giving to the poor isn’t a priority is shocking and goes against everything the gospel stands for.”
Several Christian organizations that focus on poverty relief also weighed in, expressing disappointment in Henderson’s message. A spokesperson from Bread for the World, a Christian advocacy group dedicated to ending hunger, commented, “While we agree that financial stewardship is important, the notion that caring for the poor is somehow secondary to other forms of giving is dangerous. It minimizes the direct command of Scripture to love and serve the least among us.”
In response to the backlash, Pastor Henderson released a statement via his church’s website, attempting to clarify his remarks. “My intent was never to diminish the importance of giving to the poor,” Henderson wrote. “I was simply highlighting that there are many ways to give, and sometimes the best form of support isn’t financial, but through education, empowerment, and spiritual investment. I regret if my words were misunderstood, and I apologize to anyone who was offended.”
However, this apology did little to quell the growing criticism. Many have pointed out that while the pastor’s explanation might clarify his intent, the original sermon still carried a message that seemed to prioritize church-focused giving over helping those in immediate need.
One of Henderson’s congregants, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment in how the situation has been handled. “I’ve been following Pastor Keion for years, and this feels out of character for him. But I also feel like the church needs to be more accountable when they make mistakes, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like helping the poor.”
Others have defended Henderson, stating that his broader message was about stewardship and ensuring that believers are giving wisely. “The pastor wasn’t saying to ignore the poor,” said one church member. “He was talking about being intentional with your resources and making sure you’re supporting initiatives that actually make a difference.”
Despite these defenses, the fallout from the sermon continues to grow. Several prominent pastors and Christian influencers have weighed in, further fueling the debate. Pastor John Gray, a fellow Houston-area megachurch leader, offered a more diplomatic take on the issue. “As leaders, we all make mistakes and say things that may not come out right,” Gray said in a recent Instagram post. “But our responsibility is to ensure that we’re always pointing people back to Christ’s heart for the poor, the broken, and the marginalized.”
The controversy also raises larger questions about the role of megachurch pastors and the messages they deliver to their large, often global audiences. With the increasing reach of online platforms, sermons that once would have been limited to a local congregation now have the potential to influence millions. This has led to greater scrutiny of pastors like Henderson, whose words carry weight far beyond the walls of their churches.
Meanwhile, the debate over how Christians should prioritize their giving continues to gain traction. Some argue that supporting the local church should take precedence, as it provides resources and programs that can have long-term spiritual and community impact. Others insist that direct aid to the poor should never be secondary, citing numerous biblical passages that call for care for the hungry, the homeless, and the oppressed.
As the controversy unfolds, Pastor Henderson has announced plans to address the issue more fully in an upcoming Sunday service. “I believe it’s important to have open conversations about difficult topics like this,” Henderson said in a recent video posted to his Instagram page. “We need to discuss how we can best steward the blessings God has given us and how we can truly be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.”
For now, the backlash shows no signs of fading, with Christian communities around the country engaging in lively debate over Henderson’s comments. Whether this will lead to lasting damage to Henderson’s ministry remains to be seen, but the episode has certainly sparked a broader conversation about the intersection of faith, giving, and responsibility.
Terry Littlepage 
Kevin Parker 
Darnell Thompkins