By Tony Okafor
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” — Matthew 7:15.
There is a disturbing development in contemporary Christianity, particularly in Nigeria, where making money appears to be competing with the business of saving souls.
In some churches, sermons are being commercialised, prayers are packaged as special services, and spiritual interventions are presented as products with different price tags.
One is tempted to ask: When did the gospel become a commodity, and when did access to God’s blessings become a commercial transaction?
The Church was established to preach salvation, nurture faith, comfort the afflicted and offer hope. It was never intended to become a business empire where every spiritual activity presents an opportunity to make money.
While churches need financial support to maintain their facilities, pay workers and undertake charitable activities, there is a fundamental difference between supporting God’s work and exploiting worshippers financially.
Some religious leaders pressure members to pay for special prayers, deliverance, prophetic consultations and privileged access to spiritual services. The language of seed sowing and sacrificial giving is sometimes deployed to suggest that God’s favour depends on financial contributions.
Jesus Christ did not establish a pricing system for miracles. He healed the sick and fed the hungry without demanding payment. Indeed, when traders turned the temple into a commercial centre, He drove them out, declaring: “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13).
Equally troubling is the emergence of religious leaders who have become emperors within their churches. They move in convoys of expensive vehicles, surrounded by attendants, while treating subordinate priests and church workers with little dignity. They preach humility but practise arrogance, condemning politicians’ excesses while enjoying similar privileges and influence.
There is something particularly disturbing about religious leaders preaching prosperity to congregations struggling to meet basic needs while displaying extravagant lifestyles.
There is nothing inherently wrong with a wealthy church or a comfortable priest. The problem begins when wealth becomes the principal attraction, the pulpit becomes a business platform and the congregation becomes an instrument of personal enrichment.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, declared: “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
The Church must return to humility, accountability, compassion and genuine service. As Matthew 10:8 reminds us: “Freely ye have received, freely give.”
The gospel is not for sale. God’s grace is not a commodity, and the altar is not an ATM. Those who turn God’s vineyard into a personal business empire should remember that the owner of the vineyard is watching.
