Joel Osteen Recalls Father's Poverty-Stricken Childhood, Says His Family Always Received Donated Baskets During Christmas

Joel Osteen says his father lived a life of poverty until he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 17. (Facebook/Joel Osteen)

Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, the largest Protestant church in the United States, has reached a level of success that many other pastors in America can only dream of.

Seeing him lead his congregation, it's hard to imagine that the positive-thinking preacher and bestselling author was raised by a man who used to struggle with poverty. However, Osteen revealed on his blog that it's exactly what his father endured as a child.

"My father was raised very poor on a cotton farm during the Great Depression. At Christmas time, his family was the one that received the Christmas basket that went to the poorest family in the school," Osteen shared. "He could never drink a full glass of milk because they couldn't afford it, only a fourth of a glass. Plus, they'd pour water in it to make it last longer."

When Osteen's father turned 17, he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ. It was then that his father made the decision that his children will not be raised in poverty the same way he grew up. 

"He changed his mind. Everyone around him, they were good people, but they were limited. Their minds had become conditioned to accept not having enough, living in struggle and lack," explained Osteen.

Osteen's father left the farm and started ministering in jails and in senior citizen's homes, eventually breaking the family's curse of poverty. Osteen is proud that his father is a barrier-breaker, and he credits him for propelling their family to success.

In the same way, Osteen is encouraging people to never settle for anything less than what they deserve. "See, if my father would have accepted poverty as his lot in life, I wouldn't be living the life that I am today," he said. "Listen to the dreams you have in your heart. Don't settle where you are; break out of that mold. Dare to believe that God has more in store for you and live as a barrier breaker!"

related articles
Joel Osteen Shares What Christians Should Do When Challenges Come Their Way And Things Start To Go Wrong
Joel Osteen Shares What Christians Should Do When Challenges Come Their Way And Things Start To Go Wrong

Joel Osteen Shares What Christians Should Do When Challenges Come Their Way And Things Start To Go Wrong

Joel Osteen Wants His New Book \'Think Better, Live Better\' To Help People \'Delete Negative Thoughts\'
Joel Osteen Wants His New Book 'Think Better, Live Better' To Help People 'Delete Negative Thoughts'

Joel Osteen Wants His New Book 'Think Better, Live Better' To Help People 'Delete Negative Thoughts'

For Those Who Feel Like Quitting, Joel Osteen Urges: \'You\'ve Come Too Far to Stop\'
For Those Who Feel Like Quitting, Joel Osteen Urges: 'You've Come Too Far to Stop'

For Those Who Feel Like Quitting, Joel Osteen Urges: 'You've Come Too Far to Stop'

Joel Osteen Shares the Secret to Victory: Talk Yourself Into It
Joel Osteen Shares the Secret to Victory: Talk Yourself Into It

Joel Osteen Shares the Secret to Victory: Talk Yourself Into It

Joel Osteen Says People Need to \'Empty Out\' Negative Thoughts When They Start Their Day
Joel Osteen Says People Need to 'Empty Out' Negative Thoughts When They Start Their Day

Joel Osteen Says People Need to 'Empty Out' Negative Thoughts When They Start Their Day

News
7 killed at Mexican church event in suspected cartel attack
7 killed at Mexican church event in suspected cartel attack

Mexico is increasingly a country of concern due to the persecution of Christians

Hopes remain that assisted suicide in Scotland will not pass
Hopes remain that assisted suicide in Scotland will not pass

Just seven "waverers" could be enough to kill the bill.

EU online safety law could be dangerous for free speech, say critics
EU online safety law could be dangerous for free speech, say critics

The proposed bill could become a political tool, critics warn.

Faith and religious observance a significant factor in 'human flourishing', Harvard study finds
Faith and religious observance a significant factor in 'human flourishing', Harvard study finds

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." taken from Psalm 42.