Men of God and their acquisition of wealth

Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel in his private jet

I want to write something that will probably anger a lot of people out there and I will probably be crucified for this but after seeing what I saw yesterday, I want to speak my mind.

I try as much as possible to stay away from religious issues on this blog because it's a very sensitive subject and so many people take it very personal. But like I said, I saw something yesterday that got to me...and since I've been given a voice (my blog), I want to be heard.

Let me start by saying that I am utterly disgusted by the way some Men of God in this our generation carry on. Private Jets, Yachts, media empires etc...and you wonder; is this what Christianity is all about now? Acquisition of wealth? Are some of these Men of God supposed to be keepers of faith or men who milk from their congregation to fund and maintain their lavish lifestyles?


I've said this before and I will say it again...I will NEVER pay tithe to the Church. Not if my money is going to be used to pay for a private jet. I  know it's not a good thing to say publicly but that's my position on the matter and if these Men of God aren't uncomfortable or embarrassed to be seen 'living the life', then why should I be embarrassed to say I'm not going to fund it?


I am more than convinced that God will be disappointed in me if I gave 10% of the little money I make to men who already have so much when I can give it to that young child who hasn't eaten for days..or maybe even contribute to money needed to keep a sick person alive.


I sincerely feel that if Jesus came back today, he would weep at what some people have turned his church into. He would be disgusted as I am because He definitely didn't establish religion as an instrument for acquiring material wealth.


My bible tells me that when Jesus dwelt among us, he didn't hobnob with the rich, he didn't acquire material wealth, he didn't ride in the finest horses, he didn't drink the finest wines...instead he embraced modesty, lived amongst the ordinary and poor and was satisfied with that life. So why are these Men of God not following in his footsteps? Why are they acquiring wealth like it's about to go out of fashion?


Acquiring excessive wealth is morally reprehensible in a society like ours where there's a big gap between the rich and the poor. Nigerians are dying of hunger..literarily. I passed Oyingbo early yesterday morning and I've not been able get over what I witnessed there. Please somebody drive down to Oyingbo, at the refuse dump there and see what is going on in our country. I saw two boys picking something from the dump and putting in their mouth. And our Men of God are buying private jets? My God! Do you know how much it costs to acquire and maintain one? Do you know how many poor, homeless, hungry and sick people that kind of money can help? Are you calculating?


What does anyone want with so much money? How can you serve God and Money at the same time? There's a place in the bible where a certain rich young man turned down Jesus’ invitation to follow him because he was unwilling to leave his money behind. Jesus commented, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God”. (Luke 18:24) What was Jesus trying to say here?


Oh and there's more -  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)


More - "Do not wear yourself out to get rich: have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle" (Proverbs 23:4-5)


I can quote more from the bible but let's move on. See, I'm not against the church, I go to Church as much as the next guy. I'm not against being rich either, I am only against excessive wealth. Excessive being the imperative word. I'm not against Men of God, I just do not approve of some of their methods.
Men of God engaging in pre-marital sex, Men of God engaging in homosexual acts, Men of God molesting young boys in the church, Men of God building business empires and acquiring material wealth like they are competing with greedy politicians.


And let's not even talk about the trade going on in the Church today. The selling of CD's, books, tapes and et al. We all know how angry Jesus was when he witnessed the trade going in the temple in the ancient times and what he did about it


I could go on and on but let me stop here. I'm not judging, I'm just saddened by the things these Men of God are doing and the things they've failed to do.


I've said my piece and my apologies to anyone who finds it offensive..but until you know what it feels like to see two young children eating from a refuse dump, don't talk shit to me!