An increasing number of Nigeria's 70 million Christians are followers of the prosperity teachings - the belief that prosperity is a sign of spiritual blessing. Services are held in megachurches that hold thousands, with millionaire pastors preaching the word.

A lady scrolls down the screen of her tablet PC as she reads the Bible along with the rest of the congregation, a huge diamond-encrusted ring shining on her finger.

Hanging from the ceiling of the Household of God Church are several chandeliers, lighting up a plush 5,000-seat auditorium.

A water fountain hisses in the distance, though it is only heard when the dazzling character on stage singing passionately and occasionally speaking in tongues falls into silence.

This is the Reverend Chris Okotie, a former pop star turned pastor, businessman and politician.

A recent Forbes rich list included him among Nigeria's five wealthiest pastors, with assets of anywhere between $3m and $10m. But is he truly this rich?

"Possibly," he replies, with his giant multi-coloured Jacob & Co brand wristwatch shining from the end of his sleeve.

Private jets

Mr Okotie is one of several millionaire pastors leading churches in Lagos that are rapidly expanding across Nigeria, the rest of Africa and the US, Europe and Asia.

One of the key messages these churches preach is that financial prosperity is a sign of God's favour.

As they have grown in popularity since the early 1990s, so has the wealth of their pastors.

Many of them own luxury cars, while a few even travel in their own private jets.

Mr Okotie argues that prosperity is an integral part of the gospel.

"It is written about Jesus, specifically, that he became poor so that the believer might become rich, because he recognised that poverty is not part of God's plan for man," he says.

The head of another church, David Oyedepo, is said to have a net worth of up to $150m.

His Living Faith Church - also known as Winners Chapel - hosts three services every Sunday in Lagos, in a 50,000-seat church, and has branches in Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Gambia, the UK and the US.

He also runs a publishing house, a university and a secondary school.

But it is another popular church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which leads the pack, having thousands of outposts around the world - including at least 2,000 in Nigeria, and close to 400 in the UK.

Large donations

The churches earn money from sales of books written by the pastors, and CDs and DVDs of the sermons, but the bulk of their revenue is said to come from donations from the congregation.

Some people find the idea of churches amassing such wealth problematic.

Local press reports that David Oyedepo was selling two of his church's private jets led to accusations of extravagance, although his church insists the planes were used by senior staff for work.

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, recently said that churches needed to find out the sources of larger donations, to ensure the money was legitimately earned, if the country's fight against corruption was to be successful.

The head of the commission, Farida Waziri, insists that the church's prosperity "must come legitimately".

"A responsible pastor should know where the tithe of his worshipper is coming from," she says. "How and where did you make the money that you are bringing in as tithe? It is not enough for your member to bring in a huge amount and you say 'God bless you.'"

Some Nigerians want to see a clearer line drawn between the churches' possessions and those of their pastors.

Chris Okotie says his personal wealth comes from his previous career as a musician and from his other business ventures.

But critics accuse the pastors of taking advantage of needy congregations, by telling them to give money to the church in exchange for financial and spiritual rewards from God.

These churches are "big-time businesses being managed by entrepreneurs", says Leo Igwe of the Nigeria Humanist Movement.

"It's as a result of poverty, social and economic collapse problems. Nigerians have become became desperate, and gullible, and these churches service this market."

"No! No! No!" responds Prince Okpaku, a member of Chris Okotie's congregation.

"It is God that has brought us thus far, and He's not even interested in offerings. The offering is strictly for benevolence assistance," he says.

Still, the churches continue to expand and, as more branches open around the world, they are proving to be among Nigeria's most successful exports.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14573660

I have no problem with pastors living a comfortable life. I simply think they should also consider the circumstances and environment in which they operate. I know Nigerian pastors like to cite or emulate the Copelands, Hinns of this world. But do they consider the environment in which those pastors live? These pastors drive nice vehicles but the vast majority of their congregation also have their own cars, homes and are able to afford three square meals. The general society is even much wealthier. Does anyone realize that if you complie a list of the richest 100 Texans, Copeland's name is unlikely to show up? If you compile a list of the richest 1000 or even 10,000 Americans, his name is likely to be missing? Can we say the same of the Nigerian pastors using them as examples?

My other point is that pastors should be mindful of the role corruption is playing in undermining Nigeria's development. In my view, it's not good enough to quote the Book of Hebrews all the time, and go into the intricacies of the Greek, as though the society Nigerians live in is similar to the ones obtainable when the Bible was written. The Word should be made relevant to the needs of the people. And the greatest need today is to eradicate or drastically reduce corruption. Again, Martin Luther King Jr. could have preached all the Greek he wanted but he's honored today because he tapped into the need at that time - racism or the effects of slavery. The pastor that makes the gospel relevant in Nigeria - instead of trying to be wanna-bes - is the one that deserves my greatest respect.

the people of the world have money and no one talks, christians have money its a problem, why, here in Botswana,we realy love our man of God pastor chris.the word he has taught us works, i have the results,if it can work as far as Botswana,why not Nigeria, yes corrupt people are there everywhere,but why discredit good things,how we long to have people like you have in Nigeria! give us those pastors!

^

Are you kidding? Botswana is about the only country in Africa that has maintained a consistent record of good governance. If Nigerians have even a tenth of that, hardly anybody will be complaining. You're in an environment where it's easier to make it legitimately and you're acting like it's tougher to make it there? Doesn't make sense to me unless you have not been to Nigeria.

tabazani10:

if it can work as far as Botswana,why not Nigeria,

You are typing from a position of ignorance that's all i have to say to this

tabazani10:

how we long to have people like you have in Nigeria! give us those pastors!

if we can, we would have why don't you send them an invite?

"And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." - 2 Peter 2:2-4

@lalgosshia - i advise you to watch what you say, particularly about the Living GOD, JEHOVAH, The Lord JESUS CHRIST,
"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: And an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." - Matt 12:35

"But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall Give account thereof in the day of judgment." - Matt 12:36

"For by thy words thou shalt be justified,and By thy words thoushalt be condemned." - Matt 12:37

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." -1 Corinthians 3:18