Why do people focus mostly on one aspect of Nigerian Pastors which is their prosperity and ignore the other aspects of these people?

People criticize them for collecting tithes and offerings ignoring the fact that it not only is a command in the Bible with promises attached and warnings attached also Gal 6:6, 1 Cor 9:14 (among many others) and any serious Christian should live by the Word and also the fact (which these critics fail to mention) that these funds are used for the following:

1. Salaries to Pastors and all other workers within the church. How do you think the Word of the Gospel is spread? How are the cleaners, electricians, etc cared for?
2. Outreaches to various orphanages, prisons, hospitals, etc.
3. Maintenance of church facilities.
4. Provision of food to those who have nothing to eat.

Why not be thankful to the likes of Bishop David Oyedepo for the fact that his churches and schools have created massive employment (both passive and active) to lots and lots of people (which our government has failed to do).

Why not be thankful for all the agberos, robbers, cultists, rapists, that these churches have taken off the streets? These people have been rehabilitated and are being used to impact society. I have heard some testimonies of drug dealers, cultists, etc whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel and are now useful to society.

What about the hope that the churches have provide to people all around the country? Whether you believe in God or not is not the issue here, but we all need a reason to go on, we all need hope and that is the one thing the Gospel represents.

What about the various miracles, bondages broken, experienced by the churchgoers? Of course those of you who don't believe in such may call them "audio miracles" but that doesn't take away the joy and hope gotten by those who testify of such. I have seen people healed of HIV, blindness, delivered from bondage to pornography, healed from cancer, raised from the dead, etc. (I personally once prayed for a lady who wasn't having her period. Immediately after I prayed for her she started having menstrual cramps and by the time she got back to her hostel she had her period)

Most of you people criticizing these Pastors are no better than them, of course. After all as Jesus said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

You comfortably insult these Pastors while hiding being your mobile devices. Is it because we don't know you? Are you any better than them? What have you given to society on such a large scale as them? Is it because we don't know about the money you may have stolen in the past, or the girl you raped, or the person you killed, or the home you've broken, or the frauds you've carried out, or the money you've stolen from your company, or whatever dirty laundry you may have?

Yes I get that there are many false teachers, which the Bible warns against severally in both testaments. But just because some of them are like that is not a reasonable premise to judge all of them as being like that.

And by the way, many of you critics don't even do so based on solid facts and evidence, but simply based on a "feel among" mentality. You just criticize them because others are doing so.

Most of the privates jets you see them use are gifts from people.

And please don't tell me you ACTUALLY believe that David Oyedepo survives on church money? I can't speak for the rest but I know David Oyedepo has FAR passed the level of surviving on tithes and offerings.

You don't know the whole story, so please don't be so quick to judge.

Thanks for reading.

Hmmm

I am also interested in what qualifies them to claim expertise on the contents of the Bible.

I only have problem with Pastors who do not have any other source of income aside from the church.

I mean, how can you depend on struggling customers, sorry members, to fund the flamboyant lifestyle of your family?

Everybody needs to be economically productive.

Pastors should publish their Church financial statement of account for all it's members ...

ggirl4real:
I only have problem with Pastors who do not have any other source of income aside from the church.

I mean, how can you depend on struggling customers, sorry members, to fund the flamboyant lifestyle of your family?

Everybody needs to be economically productive.

Read galatians 6:6 and 1 cor 9:14. Pastors are SUPPOSED to be given money by those they teach.

Those who are taught by Pastors are supposed to WILLINGLY share all good things that they have with them.

The Bible instructs those who preach the gospel to live off it.

Where an issue comes in is where Pastors guilt-trip people into doing so, or motivate them into doing so by promising returns (which is a valid promise according to scripture, but an invalid motivation to give according to scripture).

tobechi74:
Pastors should publish their financial statement of account for all it's members

A Pastor's personal financial information is no one's right unless he chooses to reveal it himself.

However, the church as a non-profit can be requested to do so by it's partners, members or government.

Hathor5:
I am also interested in what qualifies them to claim expertise on the contents of the Bible.

Uhmm... They've read it? And read it over and over? They've gone to seminary? They are anointed to preach? Etcetera..

Besides if not for people's laziness, we are not supposed to be dependent on Pastors the way we are. We all are supposed to know God for ourselves.

If people actually read their Bible's and didn't depend on Pastor's prayers and teachings things would be very different.

daddytime:
Hmmm

LOL.. You really think our colonizers wanted us to have religion? Really? Lol..

Christianity coming into Nigeria has nothing to do with colonists. Yes they took advantage of it in enslaving peoples minds, but it came to Nigeria the way it came to Italy, Rome, America, India, etc..

And mind you Christianity is not American in origin. American was once colonised too in case you didn't know.

LOL... Funny guy.

The person you are quoting is the person trying to force people to worship him in his country. Lol

Hismasterpiece:


Read galatians 6:6 and 1 cor 9:14. Pastors are SUPPOSED to be given money by those they teach.

Those who are taught by Pastors are supposed to WILLINGLY share all good things that they have with them.

The Bible instructs those who preach the gospel to live off it.

Where an issue comes in is where Pastors guilt-trip people into doing so, or motivate them into doing so by promising returns (which is a valid promise according to scripture, but an invalid motivation to give according to scripture).

Everyone should be economically productive, Pastor or not.

Abi does the Bible clearly forbid the Pastor from working and not depend on the members for survival?

I think it's a win-win if the Pastor can work and earn his own money to lessen the financial burdens on the customers, sorry members.

No adult should depend on another adult for survival.

The country is hard. Everyone should hustle.

ggirl4real:


Everyone should be economically productive, Pastor or not.

Abi does the Bible clearly forbid the Pastor from working and not depend on the members for survival?

I think it's a win-win if the Pastor can work and earn his own money to lessen the financial burdens on the customers, sorry members.

No adult should depend on another adult for survival.

The country is hard. Everyone should hustle.

LOL.. Sorry o.. Oya go and sleep.. E don do..

Hismasterpiece:


Uhmm... They've read it? And read it over and over? They've gone to seminary? They are anointed to preach? Etcetera..

Besides if not for people's laziness, we are not supposed to be dependent on Pastors the way we are. We all are supposed to know God for ourselves.

If people actually read their Bible's and didn't depend on Pastor's prayers and teachings things would be very different.

I bet she will reply & tell u u need a theological degree plus knowledge of Hebrew and Latin before u will know anything abt d bible.

Hismasterpiece:


Read galatians 6:6 and 1 cor 9:14. Pastors are SUPPOSED to be given money by those they teach.

Those who are taught by Pastors are supposed to WILLINGLY share all good things that they have with them.

The Bible instructs those who preach the gospel to live off it.

Where an issue comes in is where Pastors guilt-trip people into doing so, or motivate them into doing so by promising returns (which is a valid promise according to scripture, but an invalid motivation to give according to scripture).

Pastors are called by God to preach and save the souls from damnation, what we see today are completely different from what pastoring is .... Today all sorts of people are opening Church for for money..... today church business is all over the places, thus the more there are churches everywhere the more evil are being committed in the society.....
You can't continue in evil for so long.....

IF TITHE AND OFFERING IS THE PROBLEM! STOP PAYING!

I am appalled by the recent enormous attack on churches and pastors. Mostly by people who probably have never paid tithe or may have not given to churches in recent years. They jump on the wagon and irrationally begin to vituperate on matters they have no clue about.

People dont have food, water, electricity and no jobs, they ignore their governors, senators and FG and spend time discussing pastors and judging them on how they spend money. Politicians still your tax with brazen audacity and you do nothing. You are not a member of the churches you attack online, the pastors have never invited you, his members have not come to complain to you before, yet, you complain more than those who give in church.

My conclusion is that you are insanely frustrated and looking for where to poor it. Most Christians are on tin line between unbelief and atheism. If tithe and Offering is your problem, stop paying and serve God with all your heart and serve God truly. Focus on doing personal ministry as you ate led by God.

Jesus commanded you and I to preach the gospel and save SOULS. Can you boast of consciously preaching to anyone this year and leading them to Christ, follow up the person and ensure the person matures to become a disciple? I bet you haven't, in your myopic mind, the only people Jesus commanded to do the work is pastors. Yet, when we ask for true believers you raise your hand. Note, Go ye into the world is a command to all of us. Not a suggestion. What is stoping you from going? Stop hiding behind your keyboards to vent your frustration on pastors.

Pastors are not the reason Nigeria is not working. American pastors have more mega churches, some pastors in America have airstrip in their houses. America is working. The people face their government because they pay tax to the government. In church people wilfully give. Your frustration is that mega churches have money and are spending the money. You forgot that these churches did not become mega in 2020. These were churches started in the back side of town in the 1980s. These men, prayed, laboured, toiled, were disappointed and at some point felt like giving up. At that time, starting a church, pastors were seen as non entities. 35 years later, that little vision has grown by virtue of diligence and hard work. You throw away those years of them paying the price and type rubbish on social media. Focusing your attention on tithe and Offering.

Have you forgotten that millions of churches like them started and didn't last up to five years. Some lasted but the pastors are so indebted that they can't pay their children school fees. Not everyone will succeed in same way. I pay my tithe, give Offerings and you are more frustrated than me who is giving and not complaining. Is it your money? Have I come to beg you before? Are you normal. Pastors are not your problem or the reason for Nigeria's lack of development. You drive a good car, how come you drive a good car and there are family members yours that are trekking. There are widows and orphans in your neighbourhood. You shouldn't drive a good car. Sell it and trek to work. Give all you make to support every poor person in your family and neighbourhood. That's the kind of life you want pastors to leave and you will be happy...You won't sell your car because it makes life convenient for your work, for your family and social status. Pastors also buy these jets because it makes ministry easy for them. Some of them may need to be in 4 countries in a week preaching. Imagine queuing up in every airport and jumping connecting flights.

A jet is to a mega pastor what your mercedes is to you. It's about convenience and tool for ease of work. Get that into your head and work hard. Pray that God will bless your hustle. Learn to mind your business...

.If you feel some pastors are mismanaging their church fund, pray for them in love. God is the ultimate judge. He will test everyone's work at the end. I am not the chief registrar of heaven to know which pastors is eating church money or not. I have my own sins, that's my concern not pastors.

ggirl4real:
I only have problem with Pastors who do not have any other source of income aside from the church.

I mean, how can you depend on struggling customers, sorry members, to fund the flamboyant lifestyle of your family?

Everybody needs to be economically productive.

That is not true. Many of them own businesses that employs people,why do think the government is thinking of taxing them

I think the issue some Christians have is their over emphasis on tithe leaving out the most important aspects which is teaching us how to live a faithful Christian life

desiredhome:

Pastors are called by God to preach and save the souls from damnation, what we see today are completely different from what pastoring is .... Today all sorts of people are opening Church for for money..... today church business is all over the places, thus the more there are churches everywhere the more evil are being committed in the society.....
You can't continue in evil for so long.....

Just because some are false doesn't mean all are. Like in America for instance, just because some police men are racist doesn't mean all are.

My point is for those who are prosperous, people make the mistake of ignoring all the good contributions they've made to society and focus solely on their lifestyle and criticism them for it.

They do many things the government is suosed to be doing. Building houses, hospitals, roads, schools, etc.

We should at least cut them some slack knowing that even though we don't agree with certain aspects about them, they've done some things that deserve our gratitude.

Romangalactic:

I bet she will reply & tell u u need a theological degree plus knowledge of Hebrew and Latin before u will know anything abt d bible.

LOL.. You don't need any degree. There are Hebrew dictionaries everywhere to buy, Latin self.

There are commentaries to download for free online.

chiommy123:
I think the issue some Christians have is their over emphasis on tithe leaving out the most important aspects which is teaching us how to live a faithful Christian life

If you're talking about Oyedepo, that's not true.

LOL.. You really think he stands on the pulpit every Sunday or Wednesday talking about tithe?

You know God holds teachers to a higher standard than followers and they will undergo a stricter judgment.

Most people criticizing Oyedepo have never even attended one of his sermons or don't even attend his church.

Maybe some attended one sermon where he talked about tithe and used that to form their opinion of him.

True they may be some that do such. I don't know of them sha.

Hismasterpiece:


Just because some are false doesn't mean all are. Like in America for instance, just because some police men are racist doesn't mean all are.

My point is for those who are prosperous, people make the mistake of ignoring all the good contributions they've made to society and focus solely on their lifestyle and criticism them for it.

They do many things the government is suosed to be doing. Building houses, hospitals, roads, schools, etc.

We should at least cut them some slack knowing that even though we don't agree with certain aspects about them, they've done some things that deserve our gratitude.

The church is the people, the money the church have is contributions from the members and not for them to live in luxuries while the members can barely eat...

So if for example the church Builts a school from the contribution of the members and at the end, over 70% of the same members cannot attend that school? how has that church now benefited the members, or the society?
Mind you this members are also the society......
Meanwhile that same school can only be accessed by the rich and even the unbelievers/politicians who are not even members of the church.....
Of what use is their schools/hospitals if over 70% of the society can not access?

edoairways:

That is not true. Many of them own businesses that employs people,why do think the government is thinking of taxing them

I have no problem with the ones who own businesses. I don't mean businesses established in the name of the church. I mean owning their personal family businesses.

I know that there are churches that restrict their Pastors from working or owning businesses in the name of being FULL TIME PASTORS. I don't think that is right.

Everyone should be economically productive.

ggirl4real:


I have no problem with the ones who own businesses. I don't mean businesses established in the name of the church. I mean owning their personal family businesses.

I know that there are churches that restrict their Pastors from working or owning businesses in the name of being FULL TIME PASTORS. I don't think that is right.

Everyone should be economically productive.

Yeah

desiredhome:

The church is the people, the money the church have is contributions from the members and not for them to live in luxuries while the members can barely eat...

So if for example the church Builts a school from the contribution of the members and at the end, over 70% of the same members cannot attend that school? how has that church now benefited the members, or the society?
Mind you this members are also the society......
Meanwhile that same school can only be accessed by the rich and even the unbelievers/politicians who are not even members of the church.....
Of what use is their schools/hospitals if over 70% of the society can not access?

LOL.. Im a covenant university student and can boldly say that more than 70% of the students there don't come from wealthy homes.

MANY students in that school are under scholarship from guess who? Bishop David Oyedepo.

And please don't add sentiments to things. The school wasn't built for church members. And even if that was so its still you people that will come and criticize him for doing so.

With all the facilities and privileges there (24hr electricity, WiFi, and other maintenance costs) why won't the school be expensive?

And mind you, the school didn't start out as being expensive.. Various factors like growth and inflation (which our gov is to blame for) have influenced the prices overtime.

Why should the pastor be responsible for the people's poverty? Isn't it up to them to work? Abi how will God multiply their money if they are not working to earn something?

The current prosperity you see the bishop live in did not come at once, mind you. He invested the salary he has earned from the church overtime and worked hard in various sectors of the economy to amass the wealth he has today.

So please know the facts before you accuse.

And who told you they don't provide food for those who have nothing to eat? Don't you know that they give employment to all who attend their church who are willing to work?

ggirl4real:


I have no problem with the ones who own businesses. I don't mean businesses established in the name of the church. I mean owning their personal family businesses.

I know that there are churches that restrict their Pastors from working or owning businesses in the name of being FULL TIME PASTORS. I don't think that is right.

Everyone should be economically productive.

Pastors are economically productive.

edoairways:

That is not true. Many of them own businesses that employs people,why do think the government is thinking of taxing them

Help me tell am o.... These people are just jealous that a person is living in luxury.. And they don't even know the full story behind it..

Hismasterpiece:


Pastors are economically productive.

Please Sir, are you referring to FULL TIME Pastors?

If yes, do you care to explain how economically productive they are?

ggirl4real:


Please Sir, are you referring to FULL TIME Pastors?

If yes, do you care to explain how economically productive they are?

Well, the church falls under the category of non-profits, so the value the Pastors add to people's lives is the way they contribute to the economy.

When you say full time Pastors are you referring to the likes of oyedepo?

Hismasterpiece:


Well, the church falls under the category of non-profits, so the value the Pastors add to people's lives is the way they contribute to the economy.

When you say full time Pastors are you referring to the likes of oyedepo?

I'm generally referring to Pastors who do not have their personal or family sources of income other than depending completely on the church members for survival.

Church members are stretched, especially small congregations.

It would be better if such Pastors can go and work or run businesses to reduce the stress on their members who may be secretly murmuring and complaining about the excessive demand for monies in church.

ggirl4real:


I'm generally referring to Pastors who do not have their personal or family sources of income other than depending completely on the church members for survival.

Church members are stretched, especially small congregations.

It would be better if such Pastors can go and work or run businesses to reduce the stress on their members who may be secretly murmuring and complaining about the excessive demand for monies in church.

What binds the church is faith in one God.

The church structure is so flexible. A minister gets called by God. People who accept his ministry join him. The minister of God is tasked with being an agent of light and awake spiritually.

The followers of Christ who accept him sustains him materially according to Galatians 6:6 while he feeds them spiritually in a balanced exchange. The tithes and offerings cover the recurrent costs of the ministries and special offerings can be raised for capital projects periodically. 1 cor 9:14.

In all the givings, faith is key. Cain and Abel gave but were differentiated by faith Hebrews 11:4.

The Church is a belief system. And belief is of the heart.

The pastor has a right to the members money. Ten percent is all that's required according to scripture. If anybody gives higher, it's entirely up to them.

And mind you the Bible says 'all good things' so cars, buildings, furniture can all be given to the Pastors personally or the church collectively to facilitate the works of the ministry.

I don't know what church you attend, or how tithing there works, but this is the way it is.

Pastors are SUPPOSED to collect money from members, but members are SUPPOSED to willingly and cheerfully give it. 2 cor 9:6-15 Because ultimately, God will give them back what they have given to Him. It works. I have heard countless testimonies of financial breakthroughs experienced via tithing.

Mind you, most of the prosperity the bishop or other MOG enjoy today is as a result of faithfully tithing, among other things.

Even the Pastors tithe, hope you know? And what they tithe is much more than the members because God places a bigger burden on them.

Some things might just have overstayed their welcome.

MysteryFinder:
Some things might just have overstayed their welcome.

LOL.. Sorry friend, that's not for you to decide.

Your unbelief doesn't make God's faithfulness of void and will not hurt people's hope and convictions.

Praise God.

Hismasterpiece:
Why do people focus mostly on one aspect of Nigerian Pastors which is their prosperity and ignore the other aspects of these people?

People criticize them for collecting tithes and offerings ignoring the fact that it not only is a command in the Bible with promises attached and warnings attached also Gal 6:6, 1 Cor 9:14 (among many others) and any serious Christian should live by the Word and also the fact (which these critics fail to mention) that these funds are used for the following:

1. Salaries to Pastors and all other workers within the church. How do you think the Word of the Gospel is spread? How are the cleaners, electricians, etc cared for?
2. Outreaches to various orphanages, prisons, hospitals, etc.
3. Maintenance of church facilities.
4. Provision of food to those who have nothing to eat.

Why not be thankful to the likes of Bishop David Oyedepo for the fact that his churches and schools have created massive employment (both passive and active) to lots and lots of people (which our government has failed to do).

Why not be thankful for all the agberos, robbers, cultists, rapists, that these churches have taken off the streets? These people have been rehabilitated and are being used to impact society. I have heard some testimonies of drug dealers, cultists, etc whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel and are now useful to society.

What about the hope that the churches have provide to people all around the country? Whether you believe in God or not is not the issue here, but we all need a reason to go on, we all need hope and that is the one thing the Gospel represents.

What about the various miracles, bondages broken, experienced by the churchgoers? Of course those of you who don't believe in such may call them "audio miracles" but that doesn't take away the joy and hope gotten by those who testify of such. I have seen people healed of HIV, blindness, delivered from bondage to pornography, healed from cancer, raised from the dead, etc. (I personally once prayed for a lady who wasn't having her period. Immediately after I prayed for her she started having menstrual cramps and by the time she got back to her hostel she had her period)

Most of you people criticizing these Pastors are no better than them, of course. After all as Jesus said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

You comfortably insult these Pastors while hiding being your mobile devices. Is it because we don't know you? Are you any better than them? What have you given to society on such a large scale as them? Is it because we don't know about the money you may have stolen in the past, or the girl you raped, or the person you killed, or the home you've broken, or the frauds you've carried out, or the money you've stolen from your company, or whatever dirty laundry you may have?

Yes I get that there are many false teachers, which the Bible warns against severally in both testaments. But just because some of them are like that is not a reasonable premise to judge all of them as being like that.

And by the way, many of you critics don't even do so based on solid facts and evidence, but simply based on a "feel among" mentality. You just criticize them because others are doing so.

Most of the privates jets you see them use are gifts from people.

And please don't tell me you ACTUALLY believe that David Oyedepo survives on church money? I can't speak for the rest but I know David Oyedepo has FAR passed the level of surviving on tithes and offerings.

You don't know the whole story, so please don't be so quick to judge.

Thanks for reading.

Op, U Av Spoken Well. It's Better To Be A Rich Pastor Dan To Be A Poor Pastor. Most Of Dis Men Of God U See Riding Big Cars Passed Tru Hell B4 Dey Became What Dey Are.