There were articles written on the NVS denouncing pastor Adeboye and his alleged tax evasion scheme; articles castigating Bishop Oyedepo for the way he allegedly makes people sign covenants of purity and take AIDS tests before graduation. Some of the articles even called into question Adeboye’s and Oyedepo’s authenticity as Christians, labeling them charlatans and hoaxsters. Many of these articles display a prurient curiosity for the lifestyles of Christian leaders.

But this is not just happening in Nigeria. In the USA there have been a number of stories in the news recently, about Christian leaders being under the investigative spotlight of the IRS and the U.S. Congress for gross financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds designated for charitable purposes. The reports suggest that many of these leaders are "milking-their-flocks" and getting rich off the income earmarked for ministry. As I have closely followed these stories, I have been on a number of blogs that I visit regularly and many of them have expressed opinions about this issue. One of the reasons that I decided to write about this is the fact that, as I have observed many of the comments written in response to the blogs, I recognize that, not only is this a volatile issue, but it is potentially divisive for the Body of Christ.

First, I would like to suggest that the only reason the Church is being policed by the secular media and other secular organizations is because we have failed to police ourselves effectively. Scripture is not silent on matters of integrity where finances are concerned and, unfortunately we all bear the brunt of the poor choices made by a select few. It is amazing to me that while some devoted followers of Christ are forming organizations such as the "Junky Car Club" so that they can spend less on themselves and give more away to the poor and less privileged, others are buying Bentleys, Rolls Royce’s and multi-million dollar mansions with income that may be derived largely from the benefits of pastoring a large congregation.

I am persuaded that it is not my role to judge or adjudicate on matters that don't concern me. I don't know anything about the income sources of any of these leaders, so I am not in a position to determine whether or not they are able to afford these "luxuries" without dipping into church coffers. I do know however (from both Biblical and first-hand experience) that while "all things are lawful, all things aren't expedient." My commitment to my calling precludes me from driving a Bentley simply because I don't want to have to constantly explain why I drive a Bentley while people in my congregation can't keep the lights turned on. Am I responsible for their electric bill? No. But I am responsible to demonstrate a sacrificial lifestyle before them in order that I might earn the right to speak into every area of their lives, including the proper management of finances so that their lights are not turned off. Sadly though, much of the fodder provided for these self-styled critics of Christianity comes from our own stables, as we live lives that call our integrity into question. There are verses that speak to this quite succinctly: “Shepherd God’s flock, for whom you are responsible. Watch over them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money. Do not be like a ruler over people you are responsible for, but be good examples to them.” (I Tim. 5: 2 – 3 NCV)
 

The calling to Shepherd God’s people is a calling to serve, but it is a calling that is attended with great sacrifice and is fraught with criticism and judgment. But the Scriptures speak to this also: “Remember this! In the last days… people will love themselves, love money, brag and be proud. They will say evil things against others and will not be… the kind of people God wants…. They will be cruel, will hate what is good… and will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God…. Everyone who wants to live as God desires, in Christ Jesus, will be hurt. But people who are evil and cheat others will go from bad to worse. They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves.” (2 Tim. 3: 1 – 13 NCV)

Before you begin to protest the idea that a lifestyle change may be in order for us as Christian leaders, let me assure you that I have heard (and at different times even made) all the arguments about different people having different callings, and different income levels and so on. I am not seeking to impose a lifestyle standard on anyone. On one of the blogs I read someone had suggested that the lifestyle level at which we should live as Christians can be called "reasonable man standard." He stated that while he agreed that it was somewhat nebulous to define what that meant, he” knew it when he saw it.” My response: then your so-called reasonable man standard is subjective, since we will all have different parameters for measuring it when we see it. That is completely untenable. What I am seeking to do however is to point us back to the Bible. For those of us who have chosen to live our lives through the Christian worldview, the Bible must remain our standard. Jesus spoke a lot about finances during His ministry. At the risk of over generalizing, I believe we can sum up a lot of what He said as being, "Don't be owned by your possessions so that they don't blind you to the true purpose of having those possessions." A hedonistic lifestyle cannot in any way be complimentary to the message of the Gospel that we preach.

It’s time for us to stop providing a pretense to legitimacy for those who would suggest that there is no God. We must begin to live our lives circumspectly, conforming to God’s set standards, regardless of the personal cost. This is why the Bible says that those of us called to teach are under greater judgment because we are under greater scrutiny. At the end of the day, God is the one who sets the standard of integrity (In His word), and if we find our selves facing a barrage of accusations from the secular world about our extravagant and hedonistic lifestyles, then maybe it's time to take personal inventory and fix whatever needs fixing before the IRS or Congress does it for us in a very public and humiliating setting. For those who, unsolicited, open their mouths and hurl insults at people that God has called even in their human fallibility, I urge you to tread softly. Only fools rush in where Angels fear to tread. What are your thoughts about this issue?

Robot  Villager

# 1 If you are a conscientious objector to Christianity and all that it represents ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 16.11.2007 21:57

WaleAkin  Villager

# 2 My commitment to my calling precludes me from driving a Bentley simply because I don't want to have to constantly explain why I drive a Bentley while people in my congregation can't keep the lights turned on. Am I responsible for their electric bill? No. But I am responsible to demonstrate a sacrificial lifestyle before them in order that I might earn the right to speak into every area of their lives, including the proper management of finances so that their lights are not turned off. Every Pastor/Rev'd/Rt Rev'd/Bishop/Primate/Apostle/General Overseer should engrave this quote and put it in their office as a check and balance on their actions. I once attended a church meeting where a guest Pastor preached, after the preaching he made an altar call of 120.00 Pounds per willing member to strike an Abrahamic covenant with God of which i see nothing wrong in the request (The 120.00 biblically depicts the 12 stones of Israel) but my anger was kindled when he finished and asked on the altar to confirm "HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME OUT" What would he do with the nos of congregants that came out? To calculate 120 multipled by the nos to justify his honourarim or what? You have preached so well, why spoil with a frivolous statement, are our Pastors so obsessed with money that they cant think straight again? Cheers Posted by WaleAkin| 17.11.2007 06:16

edoji  Villager

# 3 =WaleAkin;2091820903> I once attended a church meeting where a guest Pastor preached, after the preaching he made an altar call of 120.00 Pounds per willing member to strike an Abrahamic covenant with God of which i see nothing wrong in the request (The 120.00 biblically depicts the 12 stones of Israel) Cheers Dear Wale, If you see nothing wrong in that, please go and buy eyesalves so you can see..Rev. My dad has a name for What your beloved pastor did: "stealing by tricks"! He also told me that modern day pastors has replaced the olden day tricksters of the "COME AND SEE AMERICAN WONDER" of old! Posted by edoji| 17.11.2007 06:31

overdryv  Villager

# 4 The author of this article was overwhelmed by the sense of guilt of his colleagues in christ. He made many references to the bible, a book that is still being decoded 2000 years after Jesus supposedly appeared somewhere in the middle east. The elites who themselves cannot agree on a unified interpretation of the bible have taken it upon themselves to pass the knowledge of god to illiterates. When will it dawn on us that these people who call themselves pastors are wolves in sheep's clothing? If the allegations made against the like of Adeboye, Oyedepo, Gilbert Deya, T.B. Joshua are true, then which god are they worshipping? Is it not the same bible they are using to minister? Commonsense would tell any man that pastors who prefer rolls royce and bentley to beetle are self-serving. These people live in unbelievable luxury and some of their ignorant members cant afford two square meals a day. All the blessings from god concentrate only on these men of god. Religion is only about making money. That is the only explanation why these church owners/founders open branches abroad. They dont want to miss the share of hard currency. What is the need of opening churches abroad when all fates already exist? I personally know some co-workers who all of a sudden open the branch of their church in europe. The message the author is trying to get across cant convince an infant. If there was a god as described in the bible,. why hasnt he for once bring erring pastors to order? We have never seen a case where a pastor who raped a girl right by the alter was struck dead. If we are all created by god then why have terms like man of god, god's children et all. Its recently we have begun to hear of woman of god. The author is just writing for attention. He is not one bit better than his other colleagues. His, is like the case in Nigeria where corrupt people like Yaradua and Ribadu are fighting corruption. Before them, another big old corrupt thief, Obj also fought corruption. Who is fooling who? Posted by overdryv| 17.11.2007 10:29

Kaftan  Villager

# 5 I do agree with the writer but will not accept his blackmail, by using verses in the bible to intimidate people who challenge fraudsters in the name of pastors on how they spend their hard earned money Posted by Kaftan| 17.11.2007 10:48

JAGA-JAGA  Villager

# 6 These are a very painful and sad experiences now taking place in the entire Christiandom. I have lots of reservation concerning any of these our modern day so called 'pastors'. For by their fruits thou shall know them. These are crooks, parading themselves as men of God. Men of God indeed. The collapse of true Christian faith started when the world started leading the way for the Church instead of the Church to lead the way so that the world will follow and bear fruits of light. Now tell me which men of God are free from dipping their hands into Church coffers as well as helping themselves with illegal proceeds collected from their congregation all in the name of God. I remember when I was still in Nigeria, One of the oldest pentecostal church leaders broke down in tears when he visited Uganda in East Africa just after the Uganda war. Why was he in tears? He gave account of a young Nigerian Lecturer from Kaduna state who abondoned his teachng job and went into the Christian Ministry of preaching the word to the unreached people of Uganda. These people live in very difficult conditions on top of mountains and hills. There are no mondern facilities available not to tall of electricity. Porverty was their drink. This great Nigerian moves from community to community trying to reach this unreached and impoverished Africans to pass the Good news from Christ to them. Nobody has any regard for them because they are poor and wreched. No one cares about their welfare because they have no say and no one speaks for them. After about three years, this leader of the old pentecostal faith-based Church said he visited the young Nigerian in Uganda and could not recognise him as he had only tattered clothings with a jute bag which contains his worldly possessions, bare footed and of course his bible. His pair of trousers was held in place by a string of jute bag, that was used as a belt. The Old paster said he was deeply ashamed of his own self when he saw how dedicated this young man could go out to deprive himself the good things of this life in order to save souls in far away Uganda. Indeed the old pastor said he has to take this young man and bought some clothings and shoes and some provisons for him. This young christian preacher is among those sowing their seeds for the heavenly kingdom not these crooks who have taken their shares here on earth. For Christ rightly pointed out that they surely have received their reward here on earth. Coming to those who pilfer the coffers of the church in order to have the good things of this life, I do not condemn them at all. For they have already done so through their actions. You remember that Judas Iscariot did exactly the same thing, i.e. helping himself with the funds belonging to the group for he was the treasurer of the disciples of Christ. They will also end up just the way Judas ended up unless they repent and repay all what they have deceptively acquired and abondon that path of evil which leads to perdition. Posted by JAGA-JAGA| 17.11.2007 11:37

presidency  Villager

# 7 For those who, unsolicited, open their mouths and hurl insults at people that God has called even in their human fallibility, I urge you to tread softly. Only fools rush in where Angels fear to tread. What are your thoughts about this issue? This is exactly what we are talking about! What annoys me is the way these so-called "men of God" vaingloriously and narcissistically see themselves as the repository of spirituality, sanctity, religiousity, righteousness, godliness, etc, on earth! So where are the Angels afraid to tread??? Why do you have to regard people who do not share your views as fools??? I do not blame you anyway. I blame the muguns that have given you guys undue reverence and veneration in which you have become bloated and conceited that you know better. My own life is my Bible; God speaks to me and I am a testimony of God but I do not need any opportunist like this "man of God" to use a Bible that was last updated 2,000 years ago to brain-wash me. Posted by presidency| 17.11.2007 14:24

ula-lisa  Villager

# 8 For those who, unsolicited, open their mouths and hurl insults at people that God has called even in their human fallibility, I urge you to tread softly. Only fools rush in where Angels fear to tread. What are your thoughts about this issue? This commendation from the Lord needs explanation in the light of the above quote.. Revelations 2:1-2 1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: What about the Berean Church that were commended Acts 17:10-11 10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Thanks for clarification. Much love Da Bishop. Posted by ula-lisa| 17.11.2007 15:47

dele26  Villager

# 9 =overdryv;2091820967> Religion is only about making money. That is the only explanation why these church owners/founders open branches abroad. They dont want to miss the share of hard currency. What is the need of opening churches abroad when all fates already exist? I personally know some co-workers who all of a sudden open the branch of their church in europe. overdryv, ……. where is the fate? Is it in the UK where old church buildings are being bought over by Muslims and expensive aluminium roof being repeatedly stolen or Denmark where nudity is a way of life? Shall we then talk of Italy where over 85% can not see reason why people go to church? Posted by dele26| 17.11.2007 16:16

ula-lisa  Villager

# 10 =dele26;2091821039>overdryv, you displayed acute ignorance here ……. where is the fate? Is it in the UK where old church buildings are being bought over by Muslims and expensive aluminium roof being repeatedly stolen or Denmark where nudity is a way of life? Shall we then talk of Italy where over 85% can not see reason why people go to church? That is the more reason the revival in Africa should send preachers to open branches in these lands of erstwhile missionaries to teach their descendants about the God of the Bible. Where gays are ordained, it is time to get those who, though poor, have the word of the Lord in purity. Posted by ula-lisa| 17.11.2007 16:26

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