Hosea 4:7-9
New King James Version (NKJV)
7
“The more they increased,
The more they sinned against Me;
I will change their glory into shame.
8
They eat up the sin of My people;
They set their heart on their iniquity.
9
And it shall be: like people, like priest.
So I will punish them for their ways,
And reward them for their deeds.

There has been a lot of tittle-tattle lately as well as so many discordant tunes on the propriety or otherwise of jets and gifts to pastors and men of God. The debates have been loud and raucous with so many people speaking from a position of little or no information. A lot of emotive vibes and outrage, for or against the perceived or real manipulations by men who supposedly have been given charge over the souls of millions, has become public fodder. Everyone appears to be venting their spleen wherever you turn.

But what exactly should we do or say? Supporters of ostentatious and obviously manipulative men of the cloak are quick to put the critics in check by quoting “touch not mine anointed” lines ostensibly to show that men of “God” are above reproach and as such “lesser” men have no right whatsoever to criticize or condemn perceived wrong doings of these high men of “God.” But is this the case? Are these men truly above reproach? Is it biblical for the “under shepherd” to feed fat on the flock while the flock groans and hopes for a better day? All these we shall examine in this piece. Let me appeal that this treatise may exceed the usual length allowed for articles on this blog as it comes laden with supporting Bible passages, but I assure you, it will be worth your while. Take a sip of water and follow me patiently.

And plead with your boss at work to learn from it as well if he frowns at you. Who knows, your boss may have unwittingly contributed to purchasing a Limo, Hummer or Private Jet for his Pastor lately.

Christianity was first brought to the shores of Nigeria by the European missionaries in the early 1800s. When they came, they built hospitals and schools. In fact, many Nigerians aged late thirties and above, were products of missionary schools, which were either free or came with negligible or paltry school fees. The early missionaries and churches in Nigeria were predicated on love and social services to their immediate communities. Many people in the age range I quoted above got quality education and even health care, courtesy of missionaries and churches.

But fast forward to the present day. Church members are coerced to part with money they barely have, with either a promise of God blessing them in return or with stern warnings of perpetual poverty or even threatened with the danger of hell if they refuse to give “cheerfully”. God’s blessing in church today is now for sale and even your offering must be spoken to, so that it can bring forth plenty harvest.
(remember our local priests “babalawo” have a culture of asking clients to rub their bodies with monies and ask for whatever they wish for).

As a matter of fact, a particular church I know, a few years ago had a special offering called ‘dominion jet offering’, where adherents were made to donate towards the “ministry’s” jet only for the jet to be converted for the use of the self styled Bishop later. *My lips are sealed*

In the course of my research, I discovered that a teacher’s son in a secondary school of one of these various prosperity promising centers, who lives in the church enclave, could not afford to send his son to the school, as a teacher and also a member of the church. His son was rather sent to school in a nearby town.

The modern Nigerian church tasks it’s members to donate towards various projects such as universities and elitist secondary schools, but curiously, the poorer members of such prosperity centers can neither send their wards or kids to such schools, neither do the churches have a program to cater for the poor amongst their flock.

Unlike the early missionaries who accommodated both the rich and poor in their schools, it is no longer business as usual for the poor. You either sow and get rich so that your children can also benefit from the schools built by the church you attend or find a lesser alternative, while hoping for a better day! The Church has become a class conscious body.

The passage in Act 4:34-35 which Reads: “(34) Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, (35) and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” has been totally ignored. In Nigeria’s contrivances of prosperity churches, it is survival of the fittest, elimination of the “poor” or unfit. How wonderful, won’t you say? No longer are we our brother’s keeper. Like 50 Cent, we have resolved in churches to get rich or die trying.

We have been told that prosperity is a sign of God’s favor to his own people, but after reading and studying the lives of great men of God– men who brought great revivals in their time– I had to ask if Jonathan Edwards, a man who preached and thousands wept to the altar in one day, yet he wasn’t rich, or Smith Wiggleswort, a plumber whom God used to heal many sick and raised a lot of dead men, yet wasn’t stupendously rich, were missing a trick. Tozer, John Wesley etc were great men of God, who neither built castles nor owned the choicest properties in their time, but they made such differences in the body of Christ so much so that till this day, their works still speak for them. Unlike our spirito-christian magicians, these men lived simple lives, but turned many around towards righteous and holy living. Their time was termed the period of the great revival in history.

Severally we have been reprimanded to “touch not mine anointed” but is this the correct application of this scripture? In which context was this phrase used? It is found in Psalm 105:15 and was repeated in 1Chronicles 16:22. That passage was written to praise the works of God when he took out Israel out of Egypt and saved them from harm, even though they were few. It was never about a pastor or a leader, it was written to praise God in taking care of a called out people. Anointed vessels are men who allow God to do his bidding through them.

Note that those people who must do his bidding must be “called out” and what is the “church”? It simply means “the called out ones”. Therefore that Passage can also mean “touch not the church”. Do NOT be deceived, it was never written to protect or immune “penterascality” or ‘pastopreneurs’ from criticism. It was written as a mark or seal of God’s protection upon his chosen ones.

The concept of giving and speaking to your money to work for you is another strange doctrine that has been introduced to make unsuspecting and unlearned Christians to part with their money without question.

Several times they have called this subtle extortion mechanism: ‘seed’, claiming the passage of seed time and harvest in Genesis 8:22. But God was not using seed figuratively. It was a definite and correct use. In fact he said; the summer, winter etc shall not cease. You don’t pay for God’s blessings. Obed edom was blessed in 2 Samuel 6:10-12 not because he paid God a special seed but because the presence of God dwelt within him and his household. Unlike the short-cut pay and receive theology of our modern day pastors, God’s blessings dwell securely in his presence. It is better to live holy and have God on your side, than give plenty, while continuing in sin.

There is nothing wrong in showering your pastors with gifts, but let’s look at some biblical examples of men that God used mightily. Were they louts, who busied themselves with soliciting gifts or were they men who had reasonable sources of income? Amos was a great prophet but hear him in Amos 7:14-15:

14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, ‘Go, prophesy unto my people Israel’.

And let’s look at Paul, one of the greatest apostles who ever lived. Acts 18:1-3:

18 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome and came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.


He was a tent maker. He HAD A JOB. He was no lout neither was he a beggar or a manipulator. His hands provided for his needs.

I wish to bring a few scriptures to light in Philippians 3:18-19 18

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)


and 2 Timothy 3:1-2 3:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,



It is very clear that we are approaching the last days and like Jesus said, “shall I find faith on earth”? It a question we all should ponder on. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of your Christian faith? Is it to serve God or marmon? Is amassing worldly cash and acquiring worldly goods the reason Christ died on the cross? Do not get me wrong, being prosperous in not a sin, but it is written in 2Timothy 2:4:

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.



And in Colosians 2:9, we read:

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead, bodily.

If God is genuinely sought, he will be found. Having the presence of God dwelling in you is a guarantee of his fulness. The rate at which wrong doctrines are taught and imbibed is alarming and this is a pointer to alarming biblical illiteracy levels among Christians. As God said, ‘like people like priests’.

1Peter 4:17 17:

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”.

What is the gospel of God? I doubt if it means amassing wealth or accumulating worldly goods. Pastors must be careful in fleecing the flock as it is written that The souls of those in their care will be required of them.


Our peculiar situation shows clearly that there are fundamental flaws in the teachings of the church as written in our opening scripture. Hosea, as quoted above, suggests that as the priests (pastors, bishops, archbishops, General overseers etc) are increasing, so is iniquity and sin on the rise. Looking at Nigeria today, we have a church in almost every corner, yet the crime and immorality rates are rising exponentially.

It is time for the men of GOD to face their true calling which is preaching the gospel. But if they persist in milking the flock, God said he will use even stones, to achieve his aims, if men refuse to do his bidding.

Study the scriptures and be diligent. Do not let a man created in ‘like-passions’ pull a wool over your eyes in the name of God.

A lie can travel very fast in time, but in one swift moment, the truth will pursue, overtake and annihilate it. There is too much hot air emanating from our pulpits, but where is the fire of revival?

I am always available and can be engaged on twitter @Ayourb

Practical ways to put a stop to the problem facing d christian today is what my ear is itching for

ATMC: Practical ways to put a stop to the problem facing d christian today is what my ear is itching for

Its so simple my dear. You hav to know your God personally and not being blown by evry wind of doctrine dat flows around. Make bible n Gods teaching ur standard not any MOG. But its so sad dat many xtains tday are so lazy to study d word, so its evrythin their pastor tells dem they re eager to do instead for them to cross-check wt the bible. anyway as for me, i don wise up teyteyyy, so i give wt my head not like one brainwashed slowpoke

What has giving got to do with it if i may i ask?

Don't know about everybody else but the Nigerian Church lost its purpose for me the day one pastor stood on the pulpit and and thought it was okay to tell this story....

So apparently the church has been trying to acquire its own building (Have you noticed Naija churches are always in the middle of one building fund gimmick or the other...wassup with that? ) Anyhoo, they have been collecting money since January and they haven't even gotten to the half way point (No surprise. . considering the state of the Economy).

One day one of the parishioners a young widow whose children are still in Nigeria was having an after service conversation with the pastor and she just happened to mention to him how much she's saved for the tickets to bring her children over and this wicked man tells her to donate the money towards the building fund. . .oh wait, I didn't get that right, he told her God told him to tell her to donate the money towards the building fund (let's just ignore the fact that "God" did not instruct him before the woman told him how much she had. Yes, Yes I know it's hard to ignore but we will just pretend okay.) Like any normal human being whose brains have not turned to mush from lack of use, she balked...she was like "Ah pastor, not this money oh" so of course she didn't.

The moral of his story is that if something bad happens to her now, she will forget when she didn't heed the voice of the Lord. Of course now it goes without saying that deep down, he will be hoping something bad happens to her just to prove his point. If this is not evil I don't know what is. . .and this is the man I am supposed to shout Amen to his prayers? I don't think so!!

Can you imagine how long that poor woman woulda been working, probably taking all sorts of jobs to make enough money so she can be reunited with her kids? If the church wasn't so upside down shouldn't it be a refuge for the oppress. . .a place where people like her can go for respite, shouldn't the church, who is all about love and family, try help this woman bring her broken family together?! Seriously, look at the way your church treats the poor, the orphans, the widowed, the elderly, the weak and it will tell you if they are truly serving their purpose (Please don't mention the one one bag of rice they dash them once a year. . .even devil worshipers can afford to do that, so that's not impressive).

Worse than the total disregard they have for the weak, hopeless and helpless among us is the way these churches are making people hard hearted to people's suffering. After this wicked pastor finished his story, see the congregation tsk tsking away like he just told them she stole money from the vestry and when he said if something bad happens to her now, she won't remember how she didn't heed God's voice. . .these sheeples actually crowed in agreement. I swear I might as well have been in the middle of a witch and wizard's coven with the way these people were relishing the thought of something bad happening to this poor woman.

You know, on second thoughts. . .I'll have to disagree that the Nigerian church has lost his purpose. We say that only because we still think the purpose of the church is to do God's work when it is obvious it is actually to pave the way for the devil to enter people's hearts and on that. . .they are doing a FANTASTIC job.

d above story brought water to my eyes...d church! D church! D church!
Deception gone on rampage, dear god na ur hand i dey o

@Sisi_kill,you are so on point with your story!!!I remember when one of Paul Adefarasin's former assistant pastors wanted to travel to London.He was saving up some cash,he wanted to give Pastor Adefarasin 2 pieces of information that day.So he gave Pastor Adefarasin the 1st info about his saving for a ticket. Adefarasin's reply was, "How can a pastor save money for a ticket!!!What is the congregation for?You are supposed to use their money not yours,no wonder your wife is barren,I am sure it is because god knows how irresponsible you are with money so he doesn't want to bless her yet with a child!!!"...........................meanwhile,the 2nd piece of info that he had wanted to give Adefarasin was that his wife was pregnant.It was this incident that made him finally leave the church!!!

@OP

Is there a source to this article? I think i saw something similar on a "saharareporters" link. Anyway great thread, i believe it is very important for true believers to expose the rot in the Nigerian church today. We cannot continue to keep silent and let these charlatans/rogues continue to bring christianity to disrepute.

@Moderator
This thread is strongly recommended for front page.

Niflheim: @Sisi_kill,you are so on point with your story!!!I remember when one of Paul Adefarasin's former assistant pastors wanted to travel to London.He was saving up some cash,he wanted to give Pastor Adefarasin 2 pieces of information that day.So he gave Pastor Adefarasin the 1st info about his saving for a ticket. Adefarasin's reply was, "How can a pastor save money for a ticket!!!What is the congregation for?You are supposed to use their money not yours,no wonder your wife is barren,I am sure it is because god knows how irresponsible you are with money so he doesn't want to bless her yet with a child!!!"...........................meanwhile,the 2nd piece of info that he had wanted to give Adefarasin was that his wife was pregnant.It was this incident that made him finally leave the church!!!

Lies Lies Lies, you would just sit and conjure up lies. The Paul Adefarasin i know wld never say that to any man. Haba, Be careful what you say. Even if Pastor Paul wasnt a man of God these lies are just irritating.

To the Op, a good statement. Everybody has a free will to do what he or she please with his money.
I attend a church whose Bishop has a jet and am happy about that. No body has ever forced anyone to contribute to the payment of any jet.

Christianity is about faith, if you dont believe in giving it wont work for you. Charity might be your access to your breakthrough. So each man to his ways

THE NIGERIAN CHURCH NEVER HAD A PURPOSE. HOW CAN YOU LOSE WHAT YOU NEVER HAD ?

obadiah777: THE NIGERIAN CHURCH NEVER HAD A PURPOSE. HOW CAN YOU LOSE WHAT YOU NEVER HAD ?

I think a better heading would have been "The Nigerian church is loosing it's focus".

Pastor Kun:

I think a better heading would have been "The Nigerian church is loosing it's focus".

NOT SURE THEY HAD A FOCUS NEITHER I HAVE BEEN TO A FEW OF EM CHURCHES. THEY ARE ALL SOCIAL GATHERINGS. AND THEY ALL PEDDLE HERESY AND ALL WORSHIP A WHITE JESUS IDOL. SEE ? NO FOCUS

I wouldn't judge, I'll let God do His work.

I agree totally with the writer. Churches have deviated from what churches were known for back in the days. Churches were charity organizations who helped the poor and needy by providing free healthcare, schools, accomodation etc. But today it's the opposite. Churches have become business ventures where the owner goes into it to reap the dividends of his investments. Many of them have acquired gargantuan wealth and have even been listed on the forbes list yet their members live in penury both financially, spiritually and morally. The primary purpose of a church back in the days was for moral teaching, charity and of course the unadulterated word of God but now it's about prosperity, prosperity and more prosperity. I think the Nigerian church has lost it's purpose.

NEXT!!!

Iaz93: NEXT!!!

NIICE STORE TOO. THEY HAVE A BRANCH ON OXFORD STREET. QUITE A DYNAMIC BRAND IF I MAY ADD

Iaz93: NEXT!!!

NICE STORE TOO. THEY HAVE A BRANCH ON OXFORD STREET. QUITE A DYNAMIC BRAND IF I MAY ADD

Something that was built on the foundation that a robber killed by the romans was born by a virgin and believing in his sacrifice will wash away all d bad bad things wey person don do... Bla bla bla...

Built on 419... Will continue to thrive by 419...

As a matter of fact, a particular church I know, a few years ago had a special offering called ‘dominion jet offering’, where adherents were made to donate towards the “ministry’s” jet only for the jet to be converted for the use of the self styled Bishop later. *My lips are sealed*

summarize abeg

I nor send any MOG!
My allegiance is to GOD alone and in him I put my trust. Any pastor that can't follow my own personal doctrine in line with the standard of God, should take a dive. I am my own pastor and I do what I like. Though, I am not perfect and infact, I have so many shortcomings yet, I put my trust in God alone.

So, any gullible church member that is still following these "con-artist" sheepishly is doing so at his or her own risk. Thieves on the alter!!!!!

thank God people are now seeing the fraud.to the touch not my prophet goons.continue in your ignorance. ain't buying those fables no more.

They have never had a purpose other than sucking people's money.

I am still waiting for someone to mention ADEBOYE and OYEDEPO, because those are the pastor that offended nairaland people......first to tro d@ stone.....abeg i dey wait.


YOU GUYS JUST LIKE TO PUT STAIN ON GOD AND IT'S NOT POSSIBLE YOU CAN ONLY STAIN MAN AND NOT GOD OR HIS WORK. ALL THESE PATORS KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG.....PLS SINC U AV BEEN INSULTING/CURSING THEM... TELL ME THE RATE AT WHICH THEY BUY JET KEEP INCREASING. PRAY TO GOD TO GIVE U MONIE TO BUY UR OWN AND LEAVE THEM AND GOD TO SORT THAT ANGLE OUT....JXT A PIECE OF MY MIND I AM NOT A WINNER/REDEEM MEMBER OOOO.

See how the pentecostal pastors have brought the Nigerian church to ridicule through their lust for money and misleading money teachings. They cannot criticize the government to bring them to their senses to use the people's resources to provide for the people. They enjoy their share of the money. Via donation, gift, etc.

They only say sweet things that everyone wants to hear. No more preaching of salvation, repentance from fornication, adultery, abortion and corruption. Millions are misled and they enjoy the party. Oh! Wake up, wake up people. When a pastor opens his sugar coated tongue to preach to and manipulate the people for money, such a pastor/bishop should be politely told to stop telling lies in the name of God or better still shut up.

Women are the most gullible, otherwise, why should a woman be asked to get naked to be anointed and she will gladly remove all her clothes and stand stark naked before another man. These things are strange.

2 Timothy 4: 1-5

New International Version (NIV)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

I AGREE WITH THE WRITER THAT WE HAVE PASTORS WHO ARE ACCUMULATING WEALTH AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR CONGREGATION. BUT WE CANNOT DENY THE FACT THAT IT IS GOOD TO GIVE. THE QUESTION IS GIVE TO WHO AND GIVE TO WHAT? THAT'S WHERE WE ALL NEED TO WORK ON. WHO ARE YOU GIVING TO AND WHY ARE YOU GIVING? I RECOMMEND THAT WE SHOULD WATCH SECRETS OF THE MOMENT BY MOUNT ZION. IT IS A NEW FILM AND I BELIEVE IT WILL HELP SOME OF US. ALSO, LETS LEAVE THE PASTORS ALONE, THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD WHO IS JUDGE OF ALL. OURS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER WE GIVE, WE DO IT WITH CONVICTIONS AND ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. WE CAN'T SEE GOD YET WE MUST GIVE TO HIM THRUOGH PEOPLE AROUND US INCLUDING OUR PASTORS, PARENTS , FAMILIES, THE NEEDY E.T.C.
TO THOSE COMPLAINING ABOUT JETS, THE JETS BELONG TO THE CHURCH NOT THE G.O. SO IF THEY DIE OR ARE REMOVED, THE JET REMAINS WITH THE CHURCH NOT THEIR FAMILIES. IN SOME CASES, A LARGER PERCENT OF THE MONEY USED IN PURCHASING COMES FROM THE G.O HIMSELF NOT FROM THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS. MOST OF THESE THINGS WE COMPLAIN ABOUT, WE ARE ALSO GUILTY AT OUR OWN WEALTH LEVELS. HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE FORGONE A CAR OR YOUR BUILDING TO HELP SOMEONE, WE ALL THINK OF OUR COMFORT FIRST.

http://www.nigerianeye.com/2012/11/the-nigerian-church-is-losing-its.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Nigerianeye+%28NigerianEye%29

Bros you forgot the picture na...

Ess: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2012/11/the-nigerian-church-is-losing-its.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Nigerianeye+%28NigerianEye%29

Bros you forgot the picture na...

Na Mrs. Oritsejafor's limo!

Obadiah777 becareful, 'touch not my anointed and do my prophet no. . . U know na.


@ op, so true, infact if a pastor tells u that u r going to die comes tomorrow, won't u pay tithe from a job u never Had to save ur life? Fear runs in the veins of average Christians, kai I never see.

Lwkmd! Nairaland ehn.