Really. One-point-three million dollars for a home for a guy who spends half his life touring to sold-out venues. Wow. Although after perusing some pics of Chris Tomlin’s digs, I can attest to the fact that the guy definitely has good taste. Here’s the full listing for the house.
I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. One on hand, Chris Tomlin is just a guy trying to sell his house so he can move to Atlanta to help plant a church. On the other hand, he *is* Chris Tomlin, who Parade Magazine named as the highest paid artist in the Christian music industry. With information like that, it makes me think that $1.3 million isn’t that much to pay for a house, right?
Still, there’s something gnawing at my gut. As much as I want to talk about how hard he’s worked, what a nice guy he is (he is, by the way, very nice), and generous, I can’t help but wonder why a single guy needs such a big house. Especially a singer who tours for places like Compassion and talks about giving money to the less fortunate. Something about that doesn’t make sense to me.
It is a beautiful house and I can see why Tomlin bought it–it’s a respite from life on the road and a private sanctuary where he can write beautiful worship songs undisturbed. I’m sure Tomlin invited many friends and family to his home and hosted many parties. Frankly, I appreciate the fact all his Dove Awards are randomly scattered on a table in a room. Obviously, he doesn’t take success so seriously that he allows it to “own” him. And his home probably isn’t different than a lot of other musicians; in fact, compared to what he makes, this house isn’t expensive at all. For all I know, it could be a simple financial investment, which makes sense when you consider how much Uncle Sam takes. Perhaps money used wisely like this could be more of a benefit to others than just paying huge taxes.
In the end, maybe he’s just a guy who wanted a nice home and I’m just jealous because Chris Tomlin never invited me over for a pool party. But, like me, I’m sure there are those of you out there who don’t blindly follow your favorite singers or writers or actors. You think critically and wonder about their choices, realizing not only are they human but that their convictions differ from yours. That’s what I think about Chris Tomlin. Though I would love to live in a home like this, I probably never will. However, I’m pretty sure there are things I do that Tomlin would never dream of doing like wasting hours playing Playstation 2 when I could be doing something more meaningful with my life or cussing up a storm when he gets really mad like I do.
I have no idea how Tomlin used his living space for ministry, which I’m sure he did. Instead of looking at Tomlin’s extensive body of work with others and his songs and his enormous influence for God, it’s easier to judge Tomlin and say, “How dare you have a house that expensive!” and so easy to miss the plank in my own eye.
This just in–after my friend tracked down this tax record for the house, we discovered it was built in 2004 for what appears to be a modest $236,000. Apparently, the housing market in Austin has experienced a boom and Tomlin definitely invested wisely and was most likely the house’s sole owner for the past four years. Ah, the assumptions we make with the planks in our eyes.
Check out this post for another opinion on something which probably isn’t any of out business. But it’s a good and insightful post.
She is Beloved 
Whoah … his taxes are listed on line? That’s just wrong! I would like to humbly agree with you: it’s none of our business. Remember Jesus’ response when Peter asked about the other dudes? It was pretty much, “Don’t worry about them … be concerned about yourself.”
Whoah … his taxes are listed on line? That’s just wrong! I would like to humbly agree with you: it’s none of our business. Remember Jesus’ response when Peter asked about the other dudes? It was pretty much, “Don’t worry about them … be concerned about yourself.”
Beautiful house, though. A home like that in MN would easily go on the market for more than 1.3. Just saying.
Beautiful house, though. A home like that in MN would easily go on the market for more than 1.3. Just saying.
PS. I wouldn’t mind living there! Wow, it’s amazing.
PS. I wouldn’t mind living there! Wow, it’s amazing.
I like all the random porches and the pool myself. A home like this in my area would probably be more than $1.5 mil, too. Shay, we could totally buy it if we pool our resources 🙂
The tricky thing about writing a post like this is how to talk about an issue without bashing the individual. And I definitely do not want to bash Chris Tomlin.
Like me, I’m sure a lot of others are thinking, “Dude, why does Chris Tomlin have a $1.3 million home?” I imagine a lot of people are wrestling with it, but when you add up the facts–orig. price in 2004, how buying constitutes a good investment, and the fact we have NO IDEA why he owns this home–the truth is that we don’t know, but it’s so much easier to judge. As I wrestled with it, I thought I’d bring others along for the ride.
I like all the random porches and the pool myself. A home like this in my area would probably be more than $1.5 mil, too. Shay, we could totally buy it if we pool our resources 🙂
The tricky thing about writing a post like this is how to talk about an issue without bashing the individual. And I definitely do not want to bash Chris Tomlin.
Like me, I’m sure a lot of others are thinking, “Dude, why does Chris Tomlin have a $1.3 million home?” I imagine a lot of people are wrestling with it, but when you add up the facts–orig. price in 2004, how buying constitutes a good investment, and the fact we have NO IDEA why he owns this home–the truth is that we don’t know, but it’s so much easier to judge. As I wrestled with it, I thought I’d bring others along for the ride.
Sorry, Tracy, but tax records are public for all of us and no one, not even Chris, is excluded. And why would anyone even ask why he owns a 1.3 million dollar home? Maybe because he can? I don’t believe that being a Christian means we can’t have money and enjoy nice material things. Remember, it is the “love” of money and not money itself that is the root of all evil. And I think that Chris has more than proven how giving he is to others. I don’t have near the income that he has, but I wish I could be only half the Christian that he appears to be. Melanie Adkins
Sorry, Tracy, but tax records are public for all of us and no one, not even Chris, is excluded. And why would anyone even ask why he owns a 1.3 million dollar home? Maybe because he can? I don’t believe that being a Christian means we can’t have money and enjoy nice material things. Remember, it is the “love” of money and not money itself that is the root of all evil. And I think that Chris has more than proven how giving he is to others. I don’t have near the income that he has, but I wish I could be only half the Christian that he appears to be. Melanie Adkins
Just because people aren’t saying it out loud doesn’t mean that others aren’t wondering why Chris Tomlin owns a $1.3 mil home…I think we’ve covered some of the reasons why here. And hopefully it was done fairly with my personal reflection, of course (it is *my* blog!)
But it is hard for me to hear people like Chris Tomlin, who is gifted and very giving telling me to get a Compassion Child or whatever because I need to make the financial sacrifice. I can go without my morning mocha at Starbucks and give money to a Compassion Child, except that I don’t like coffee and wouldn’t buy it at Starbucks if I did. I don’t have that sort of expendable income. Yet I give as I can…sometimes until it hurts because that’s what God has called me to do.
So, yes, it is hard for someone like me to look at someone like Chris Tomlin or whoever, someone who doesn’t have to worry all that much about finances using his platform to tell me to give when he himself lives in a $1.3 mil home.
I don’t care if rock stars or worship leaders or pastors or whoever have nice things. I do care when they tell me to give until it hurts and their plasma TVs are way huger than anything I could ever dream of owning. It’s not because I want a huge plasma TV; it’s because there’s a disconnect between the message and the lifestyle.
I’m not saying this is true of Chris Tomlin, maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. It doesn’t mean that his heart doesn’t still beat for God and that he isn’t a man after God’s own heart. This just serves as an example between what is true and what I assume. In this case, it seems that my immediate assumption was wrong.
Just because people aren’t saying it out loud doesn’t mean that others aren’t wondering why Chris Tomlin owns a $1.3 mil home…I think we’ve covered some of the reasons why here. And hopefully it was done fairly with my personal reflection, of course (it is *my* blog!)
But it is hard for me to hear people like Chris Tomlin, who is gifted and very giving telling me to get a Compassion Child or whatever because I need to make the financial sacrifice. I can go without my morning mocha at Starbucks and give money to a Compassion Child, except that I don’t like coffee and wouldn’t buy it at Starbucks if I did. I don’t have that sort of expendable income. Yet I give as I can…sometimes until it hurts because that’s what God has called me to do.
So, yes, it is hard for someone like me to look at someone like Chris Tomlin or whoever, someone who doesn’t have to worry all that much about finances using his platform to tell me to give when he himself lives in a $1.3 mil home.
I don’t care if rock stars or worship leaders or pastors or whoever have nice things. I do care when they tell me to give until it hurts and their plasma TVs are way huger than anything I could ever dream of owning. It’s not because I want a huge plasma TV; it’s because there’s a disconnect between the message and the lifestyle.
I’m not saying this is true of Chris Tomlin, maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. It doesn’t mean that his heart doesn’t still beat for God and that he isn’t a man after God’s own heart. This just serves as an example between what is true and what I assume. In this case, it seems that my immediate assumption was wrong.
I have friends who don’t make what he makes … who have a nicer, more expensive house. Our market is no where near as expensive either.
But … they have opened their home to church gatherings, small groups, bible studies … and women who need shelter for months on end from an abusive marriage, young girls who need places to stay during holidays while college is out and it’s too expensive to go home across the country where their parents live …
Right now …they are giving shelter to my niece …because my own sister has called her a whore and rebellious unto witchcraft for wanting to hold hands with her fiance. (I’m not even slightly exaggerating). My sister compared the affection of a young man and a young woman in love, planning on marraige to the life of debauchery and degradation in Romans 1 …and told me if I thought holding hands before marriage than I needed to re read Romans 1. Then she said that R was in rebellion against them and we both know that it is as the sin as witchcraft. I should be praying that she come under their umbrella of authority to regain her salvation!
I, instead offered my niece my home, my love, my support. and now, my niece and myself are no longer accepted members of our family.
My friends, have graciously accepted my niece into their home ..as one of their own … giving her a room, shelter, food, and all for rent free, for as long as she needs …even if it’s years to come.
She is not .. NOT the first person they’ve done this for. or the first situation this serious they’ve done this for … they bought a house this big, this grand for just this kind of a ministry. To give someone like my niece shelter, sanctuary and a place to feel like they are in fact a child of the most high king when they have been beaten down by the world and abused by those who claim to be brothers and sisters in Christ.
They could have gotten a house that was large, but not as grand, but it wouldn’t give the same feeling of sanctuary, it wouldn’t give the same feeling of protection or the same feeling of being … GOD’s when you’re seeking that incredibly important sanctuary.
While looking at Chris Tomlin’s house … I get the same feeling of sanctuary …
you don’t know who he’s brought in … minister’s hurting … youth ministers worn out and weary … worship leaders on the verge of giving up …
you don’t know what worship times have taken place in that place and what songs of joy have given place to a heart of safety …
1.3 million sounds like a lot … to you, to me …we know each other’s financial situation …
but to the King of Kings who owns all … and who knows where sanctuary’s need to be … it’s really not much …
I have friends who don’t make what he makes … who have a nicer, more expensive house. Our market is no where near as expensive either.
But … they have opened their home to church gatherings, small groups, bible studies … and women who need shelter for months on end from an abusive marriage, young girls who need places to stay during holidays while college is out and it’s too expensive to go home across the country where their parents live …
Right now …they are giving shelter to my niece …because my own sister has called her a whore and rebellious unto witchcraft for wanting to hold hands with her fiance. (I’m not even slightly exaggerating). My sister compared the affection of a young man and a young woman in love, planning on marraige to the life of debauchery and degradation in Romans 1 …and told me if I thought holding hands before marriage than I needed to re read Romans 1. Then she said that R was in rebellion against them and we both know that it is as the sin as witchcraft. I should be praying that she come under their umbrella of authority to regain her salvation!
I, instead offered my niece my home, my love, my support. and now, my niece and myself are no longer accepted members of our family.
My friends, have graciously accepted my niece into their home ..as one of their own … giving her a room, shelter, food, and all for rent free, for as long as she needs …even if it’s years to come.
She is not .. NOT the first person they’ve done this for. or the first situation this serious they’ve done this for … they bought a house this big, this grand for just this kind of a ministry. To give someone like my niece shelter, sanctuary and a place to feel like they are in fact a child of the most high king when they have been beaten down by the world and abused by those who claim to be brothers and sisters in Christ.
They could have gotten a house that was large, but not as grand, but it wouldn’t give the same feeling of sanctuary, it wouldn’t give the same feeling of protection or the same feeling of being … GOD’s when you’re seeking that incredibly important sanctuary.
While looking at Chris Tomlin’s house … I get the same feeling of sanctuary …
you don’t know who he’s brought in … minister’s hurting … youth ministers worn out and weary … worship leaders on the verge of giving up …
you don’t know what worship times have taken place in that place and what songs of joy have given place to a heart of safety …
1.3 million sounds like a lot … to you, to me …we know each other’s financial situation …
but to the King of Kings who owns all … and who knows where sanctuary’s need to be … it’s really not much …
You can’t believe everything on the internet so I question whether this is Chris Tomlin’s house. I feel this type of information is personal and should not be spread on the internet.
I have really been blessed by Chris’ music and am enjoying his new CD!
You can’t believe everything on the internet so I question whether this is Chris Tomlin’s house. I feel this type of information is personal and should not be spread on the internet.
I have really been blessed by Chris’ music and am enjoying his new CD!
His new CD is exceptional! 🙂
His new CD is exceptional! 🙂
Its an awesome house, and I don’t begrudge him anything God has given him. Personally, if I were in his position, I’d buy a little house in a working class neighborhood, but that’s me.
Im more troubled by his decision to leave Austin Stone. I have had an uneasy feeling about it since it was announced.
I am probably not the only one who wonders it, but I am the only one who is saying it that I know of; Either this matching of Tomlin and Giglio is the modern day equivalent of Paul and Timothy, or it is a terrible example of a codependent relationship.
My money is on the latter.
Chris, live wherever and however you please, but be your own man. SOON!
Its an awesome house, and I don’t begrudge him anything God has given him. Personally, if I were in his position, I’d buy a little house in a working class neighborhood, but that’s me.
Im more troubled by his decision to leave Austin Stone. I have had an uneasy feeling about it since it was announced.
I am probably not the only one who wonders it, but I am the only one who is saying it that I know of; Either this matching of Tomlin and Giglio is the modern day equivalent of Paul and Timothy, or it is a terrible example of a codependent relationship.
My money is on the latter.
Chris, live wherever and however you please, but be your own man. SOON!
wow, his place is beautiful! haha yeah, would love to go for a pool party. this place is so cosy 🙂 u’re right that he doesn’t need such a big place since he’s always touring.. but then again. it’s home.. he wants to come back to a spot where he can exclaimed ” my humble home ” !
wow, his place is beautiful! haha yeah, would love to go for a pool party. this place is so cosy 🙂 u’re right that he doesn’t need such a big place since he’s always touring.. but then again. it’s home.. he wants to come back to a spot where he can exclaimed ” my humble home ” !
For whatever it’s worth, that house was never sold in the $200s. That’s likely what the lot was purchased for.