The Religious Hustle Pastor-prenuership Empire: Exploiting People’s Faith- Part 1

Christianity is the way of life, aimed at imitating the way of Jesus Christ who suffered for mankind to redeem us from the power of death. Today Christianity in Nigeria is under threats and has caused many to become mentally bankrupt, to reason irrationally and as a result has set us backward due to the negative attitudes of some believers, ignorance, lack of exposure, lack of common sense amongst others.

Economic realities and financial hardship in Nigeria have provided the ideal climate for Church business to flourish. Many Pastors have come to fore in the ministry not to serve and not for the reason of a distinct call from God but because of practical shrewd thinking, while a few propagate the Gospel with eternity in mind, the vast majority are in it to enrich themselves and for pecuniary benefits and they cite the Bible to support themselves. Machiavelli said that “men are so simple of mind and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.” Nigeria is ranked as one of the most religious whiles being one of most corrupt in the world. The fact is that the Church Business Sector is one of the most lucrative Nigeria. A lot of people are going into this business on a daily basis however many are not lasting long at it because they have not grasped the intricacies for commercial success in the business. Karl Marx, a philosopher said that religion is the soul of the soulless creature, heart of the heartless world and the opium of the masses, this is more so in a country bereft of empathetic leadership. A country with a growing economy but high unemployment rates, poor infrastructure, and widespread citizen poverty. There is no creature magical enough and waiting for the right moment to rain down deliverance. Donating your hard-earned money to church ministers will not immune you from unemployment, sickness, accidents and other tragedies, but rather make the pastor stupendously rich and promote their affluent lifestyles.

These so-called men of God also come up with strategies to enrich their pockets, the ensure that offering baskets are filled up quickly and offerings are accepted outside the church by advertising their account numbers. They also come up with big donation baskets and sweet-talking followers in order to fill it quickly, rich members have the front seats reserved for them; the size of your tithe determines how you will be recognized. Pastors specify the exact amount of money offerings they want, with a gradient system. Members run over themselves just to be the first to make the payments and to “claim” their blessings. Pastors of different churches now compete to acquire mansions, fancy cars, private jets and other worldly possessions. You will see a scenario where a church member is very sick and in need of money for treatment and the congregation ask to pray for him, but when a pastor needs a new car they will tell the same congregation to contribute because our daddy in the Lord needs a new car to carry out the gospel.

James Nwachuya #EMBA28