Imagine Janis Joplin’s “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz,” but with the reimagined lyrics, “The Lord said, for you to buy me a Dassault Falcon 7X,” performed by none other than Jesse Duplantis, a prominent figure in the prosperity gospel movement.
While Duplantis claims that Jesus instructed him to use a $54 million luxury private jet for his ministry and outreach, one can’t help but wonder if his true motive is to amass material wealth, mirroring the opulent lifestyles of his fellow Evangelical leaders.
Dassault Falcon 7x
To be fair, Jesus’ hypothetical taste in aircraft might be impeccable. French manufacturer Dassault has produced a range of impressive jets, from the Falcon 6X to the Falcon 7X that Duplantis covets—the largest in their luxury business jet lineup. This aligns with the song’s underlying message: you’re lacking if you don’t possess what your peers have, or, in biblical terms, “Thou must keep up with the Joneses.”
In this case, the “Joneses” are Duplantis’ fellow preachers, who have also urged their congregations—living far more modestly than their leaders—to fund their private jet purchases. A few years ago, Creflo Dollar faced backlash for asking followers to donate toward a $60 million Gulfstream G650. More recently, Duplantis joined Kenneth Copeland in a video defending their need for private jets. Copeland argued that commercial travel exposes him to “demons” in a “dope-filled society,” prompting him to acquire a Gulfstream V from Tyler Perry.
Duplantis insists that the Dassault Falcon 7X is essential for global outreach, claiming it would belong to the ministry, not him personally. This makes sense, as the congregation would foot the bill. But what happens when someone requests to borrow the jet for a joyride?
Duplantis’ interpretation of prosperity gospel seems rooted in acquiring luxury cars, million-dollar homes, and private jets. His own collection includes a Cessna Citation 500, an IAI Westwind II, and a Dassault Falcon 50, which he views as blessings from God for a faithful life. Yet, does this align with Jesus’ teachings of humility and moderation?
Churchgoers often cite tithing as a biblical principle, where 10% of one’s income supports the church and clergy. Anything beyond that is considered an offering. But in today’s economy, is it reasonable to expect Duplantis’ followers to fund a $54 million jet? And if they’ve already contributed, where has that money gone? Shouldn’t donations reflect Christ’s teachings, such as Luke 12:33-34 (ESV): “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy,” or Luke 12:15 (ESV): “Be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”?
Duplantis argues that if Jesus were alive today, He wouldn’t travel by donkey. While true, one might argue that hitching a ride on Duplantis’ luxury jet would place Jesus alongside a different kind of “ass.” Twitter users have already roasted Duplantis for his request, calling it hypocritical. Perhaps the real question is whether such extravagance aligns with the humility and selflessness Jesus exemplified.