While celebrating the African American Day Parade this past September, in Harlem USA, I ran into a former congregant from my childhood church. She, like so many folks today, abandoned her latter place of worship for an alternative site in search of a deeper relationship with Christ. Although locating a new facility, she expressed her disappointment as she claimed it failed to feed her completely. She proffered that contemporary Christiandom in America is suffering due to their dismissive nature of the hurting and lassie faire attitude toward Christ’s return. Some churches even lack sound doctrine, while others are focused on financial gains.
What stands out from our discussion was the third point she made: financial gains or as many refer to as the prosperity gospel. Now, there’s not a single thing wrong with being rich, but are we mindful of those God intended for us to bless? Are we more concerned with keeping up with Diddy, Beyonce, and social media posts than building the kingdom of God through both our passions and philanthropy? The fact that mentors, now, want to be paid instead of passing-it-forward to younger generation in the field is what the kids call crazy business. Covid-19 not only killed our loved ones, but many of those who remain have morphed into monsters. Literally. Many with small businesses have such exorbitant pricing, that it’s almost unrealistic for their own community to support. Then, those who complain are tagged brokees or haters. Seldom have I seen introspection on price gauging. Some of these same individuals, however, expect discounted services when time to peel those crisp bills apart. Sadly, this mindset has crept into the church.
Everyone is selling an idea. Yes, your gifts will make room for you, but who said you were supposed to add a price-tag to it? People seem to be charging for EVERYTHING! Everywhere you turn, there’s a tip jar, and the church is no different. God gave you the idea, but did He say charge for it? If so, proceed, but how many people can actually say they asked God for the revelation, or strategy in the process? Some of us hop on what we see others doing and that’s that. We are living their dream and not our own.
Listen, opening up a business is one-thing, but charging people for prayer is another. Three years ago, God told me to start a prayer group, and guess what, we prayed. We kept the group small and symbolically represented the four corners of the world. There was no collection. It was prayer. And, I also get that in a church setting there are light bills to pay, etc. That’s not what i’m referring to. There are people ordained by God to pray people free from bondage, and while i’m all for blessing the man or woman of God, there are folks making a killing praying for people. You can argue me until you are blue in the face, about leaving a sacrifice on the altar, or all the sacrifices you made to pray for me and all you’ve been through .Jesus paid the ultimate price for each and every one of us. The amount of stress, pain, and abuse he underwent physically, psychologically and spiritually is unmatched. Can you beat that? The same faith you require of me for God to supply my financial needs, shouldn’t the same be required of you? And, what about the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving?
Yet, the biggest issue I have is with prophets I’ve encountered when needing deliverance. While experiencing homeless and poverty, due to satanic oppression, I was consistently required to supplement another person’s livelihood. When I truly had nothing to give, as I had to eat and pay what bills I was still able to pay, I was dismissed, rejected, and ignored. These so called prophetic voices could see my bright future, but not meet me where I was presently. There were those who strung me along promising to pray, but never showing up. Then, there were the ones who spent more time on inquisitions rather than praying. Then. there were those who wanted to stretch time to ensure weekly compensation.
How can impoverished folks give, or be expected to render their last only to have ministers drag sessions for months to make bank? If I can fetch a gig, side hustle, or menial job, so can that minister. The same faith they want me to have, they are held to the same standards. Fortunately, they’ll have their chance to explain when/if God allows when they meet at the foot stool of His throne!
Wonder why more people aren’t free? They go to church each Sunday with the same demons week-in, and week-out, without an altar call beyond salvation or joining the church. Those needing one-to-one deliverance settings can’t go the distance, because they have to choose between paying their rent and meeting the “donation” threshold for deliverance. Who wants to be homeless and in need of spiritual freedom, especially when poverty is another layer spiritual oppression? If these one-sided faith structures remain, folks are doomed, and their destinies may experience forfeiture.
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