Amazing DisGrace:

Becoming a pastor, priest or minister of a Christian church is no longer a “calling” from God. Lately, it has become an easy way to make money, much like the dot com millionaires did in the past.

The opportunity presents itself for fast and slick-talking salespeople to enter a world selling a product they don’t necessarily believe in but know that it’s a quick way to being a multimillionaire.

The money is only there to give them the power they require to manipulate and often destroy people who feel lost and are already seeking meaning and improvement in their lives.

Much like some nurses or educators are better than others and will go the “extra mile,” some preachers will work hard to better the lives of their parishioners. This article is not directed at them but rather at the ones who peddle God like the medicine man did the “snake oil.” These people “ride” into town, and with a few smooth words like “fire and brimstone,” “prosperity,” “tithe,” and so on, they convince their congregation to part with their “hard-earned” money. Money invariably finds its way into the preacher’s ever-expanding pockets, not the poor people’s stomachs.

As a Christian, I am ashamed of people who do this, not because I think I am better but because there’s a special kind of evil it takes to manipulate people who are seeking direction and looking for meaning in their lives. It’s an intentional hurt inflicted upon unsuspecting, innocent people. Bank robbers are more honourable than some of these preachers because bank robbers don’t disguise themselves as wealthy businessmen when entering a bank.

Most of the congregants attending these churches also don’t have much money, and quite frankly, I think it’s inconceivable to expect people who don’t have much to give.

There is a marked difference between giving and receiving! Sadly, some of these charlatans focus more on the receiving, often without establishing if the congregants are in a position to give.

While having faith should be the determining factor when praying, it is to God we should be directing our prayers to and not treating the preacher as if they are God themselves. Often our faith is in the preacher saying what we want to hear without understanding that they may have ulterior motives for doing so.

The desperation in their personal lives and financial circumstances often drive people to attend these churches and is one of the reasons these types of preachers are successful.

I’m not saying preachers should not make money but making it only about self-enrichment isn’t right.

Nothing is more disheartening than watching a poor congregation filled with hope become discouraged while the preacher purchases a private jet forgetting to “feed his flock.” Then compounds their greed by guilting the congregants for their poverty on their “lack of faith.”

As with most things in life, there are limits and making millions from people who have very little isn’t “amazing” but an absolute disgrace.