The grandson of a famed pastor sparked backlash after shamelessly selling his grandfather’s personal possessions on eBay just weeks after his death.
Aspiring YouTuber Matt Brodersen came under fire after attempting to profit off his grandfather Charles Stanley’s death, which he insists he has ‘no shame’ about.
In a widely criticized video, he said the decision to cash in came after the late pastor’s death earlier this month when relatives were able to ‘grab some of his stuff’.
After picking out ‘a bunch of his clothes and a bunch of his knick-knacks’, Brodersen advertised several of the items online to mark the occasion.
The selling spree includes a portrait of the pastor, who was 90 years old when he died, that is currently being bid for $1,000 dollars, according to an eBay listing, while a pocket watch is going for at least $830.
Matt Brodersen, pictured, sparked outrage after attempting to profit off his grandfather’s death by selling his items on eBay
Brodersen’s grandfather, Charles Stanley, built a large religious following during a 50-year career preaching from his Atlanta megachurch, while also publishing numerous books and lecturing on television and radio.
Admitting that trawling through his grandfather’s items was ‘a little weird’, Brodersen said he is holding on to a few items, including a ‘cherished’ passport.
‘But there are also a couple things I got from his home office out of his desk that I wanted to share with you guys, because I’m going to put them on eBay,’ he added.
Brodersen sparked widespread outrage after posting the video, with many slamming his ‘disrespectful’ attempt at profiting off his grandfather’s death.
‘This is unreal. Wow. It’s called respect. Privacy. Integrity. And so much more,’ said one fan.
‘After listening to Dr. Charles Stanley in person and through many other sources over 40 years he became my/our Pastor. Like a family member. In all the years listening to sermons and messages by him I don’t think he would be proud of what is happening right now.’
‘I couldn’t even finish watching,’ added another. ‘The disrespect is a disgrace, not only to your family, but to our Heavenly Father!! So sad!’
A third said: ‘Very disturbing! I saw your grandfather as an anointed man of God who surrendered his life to God to do his will.
‘I don’t see him as a celebrity, I see him as my pastor and teacher. It sickens me to see this being done with his personal things and the selling point of it being in the room that he died is just disgusting.’
Brodersen, right, pictured with his famed pastor grandfather Charles Stanley, left
A portrait of Stanley has been placed on eBay by Brodersen, with the highest bid standing at $1,000 as of Friday afternoon
One of the items Brodersen tried to sell was a signed portrait of Stanley was something he would ‘love for one of his fans to have’, and said he would add a few ‘bonus’ possessions to whoever has the highest bid.
The extra items included Stanley’s coin collection adorned with Jesus, George W. Bush and Donald Trump.
The second item he decided to cash in on was an engraved pocket watch found inside Stanley’s desk.
‘If you win this one, then I’m going to send you the rest of the watches I found in his desk,’ added Brodersen, as he flashed several gold watches before the camera.
‘These are not very nice watches, and there’s nothing that special about them,’ he admitted. ‘But they were in his desk, and that’s why I’m going to include them as bonus gifts.’
The pocket watch is set to be sold for at least $830, which will also come with several other watched that Brodersen said were ‘nothing special’
A signed portrait is also up for sale, which will also come with the late pastor’s coin collection adorned with Jesus, George W Bush and Donald Trump
Addressing the backlash to his eBay spree, Brodersen said: ‘I promise you, I have a bunch of my grandpa’s stuff that you don’t see that I’m going to keep.’
‘Why not let my grandpa’s fans have a chance at winning two of his items that were in his office? The very office that he was sleeping in when he passed away.
‘I’m a human being with bills to pay, and you know how the economy is,’ he added. ‘So no, I don’t really have shame in selling his stuff… and whoever wins is going to help me pay my bills, which I desperately need right now.’
Brodersen again defended his decision on the eBay listing for the possessions, where he noted on the portrait painting: ‘We got to go through his things and everybody got a bunch of his stuff.
‘I know that sounds awkward, but its just what happens when people die.
‘(The painting) was hanging in the office of his home before he passed away, the office where he wrote all of his sermons and studied the Scripture. How long was it on that wall? I don’t know. A treasure for a true fan out there that wants to celebrate his passing and have a signed picture of the holy pastor on their wall at home.’
