HOW THE SO CALLED RICH PASTORS MAKE THIER MONEY

Lately, the social media has been buzzing with pastoral news in Nigeria. The flame was kindled by Ifedayo Olarinde,  aka  Daddy Freeze, who sounded an alarm alleging Wealthy pastors were milking their congregation, impoverished them and use their hard earned money to jet around in their gulf streams jet like Pastor David oyedipo, and rolls around in their rolls Royce like Pastor Chris Okotie.  For one, am not against Ifedayo and his # Free the sheeple movement or whatever he calls it, but I think he is not getting it right. Why, for the source of their wealth is not what he  and those against these pastors thinks.When it comes to church, many want to hear the negatives  because it is sensational. And many are wont to think that pastors ought to be above board, morally upright and spiritually pious and sanctimonious. Their children are expected to follow suit, judge in the same light  and weigh on the same scale. In that haste, no one remembers that children will always be children, having the same habits of throwing tantrums not giving a damn whether their fathers are Bishops or not.  The bible says, Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.  These folks do not read the bible therefore,they do not know what is in there. These folks lament, that the tithe churchgoers are asked to pay, goes to enrich the luxurious lifestyles of these pastors. Daddy Freeze aptly call it' free the sheeple.'  Truth be told, there is no church that can indulge their pastor in the luxury of a private jet, and shoulder the cost maintenance. A classic example is Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor,  who got one from the church, not  through their tithe, yet, he had to give it out for commercial purposes otherwise, where the hell will he get the money for its maintenance and servicing?  Statistically, it is not possible how many Nigerian , indeed, pay their tithe consistently and correctly?  Many do not even pay their  Sunday contribution regularly. There are other sources where pastors makes their  money.Pastors, like every other calling has the poor and the rich. I do not have to remind you, dear reader, that we have the poor and the rich in all professions; not all doctors are rich, not all farmers are rich, not all business men are rich it applies in every profession. The pastors are not different, too. Many are smart and know how to get what they want without resorting to tithe. While many can not put a good suit on their back. If you doubt me, attend a pastors conference and see the best of the best in appearance and the worst of the worst, too. The pastoral calling is called' a high calling,' because it is a call of God upon the chosen. Read Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  God being God, has chosen some illiterates, some wealthy ones some villagers and urban dwellers from all parts of the globe. All are chosen in order to be able to reach all segment of the society. no matter, your strata in the society, there is a pastor who can can minister to your spiritual needs. But not all the chosen are true to tier calling, not all are contented with their means .

 Apostle Paul, says in Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.   Most pastors fail this text today, many want to be rich for they measure their success with how much their worth and how many congregation and branches they have. This too, is a worldly standard. In God's eyes HE rates and judge from a different perspective. HE says in the bible,Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  It is the pursuit of this vanity by many that lure them to acquire money through different means . Sadly enough, some of these ways are dubious. when a political party with a large portfolio approaches a pastor with a large congregation and ask him to influence the choice of his followers , offering millions to the church or private coffers of the pastor has the pastor not become rich? Is that tithe money? When aspiring politician comes to him for prayers and he eventually, wins  he then buys the pastor a Royce rolls for his birthday, is that church money? When a wealthy woman, without a child to call her own comes knocking at the pastor's office and later through prayers , fasting and obedience she is blessed with the fruit of the womb, she offers  to buy the pastor a house in the choicest cities of the world, is that tithe money? When a politician, who happens to be a member of a church approaches his pastor and told him of his intention to context for a political position he is told go it is well and he wins . Daddy has done it through his prayers  for me And he forms a body , a religious ministry or body approved by the government and sponsored. This organisation is maintained with billions by the government with the pastor as head. He is being paid a handsome allowance that runs into millions is that church tithe? When a pastor has another outreach apart from the church with his own name like Godwin Guobadia outreach he goes abroad made an impact with some wealthy Americans for his can deliver good sermons and inspiring speeches, they gave money not to a church but his ministry he has access to such funds he can do what he likes and buys the choicest car or has a fleet of cars in his garage. He has been boxed in: James 4:4, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.   how  Bishop David Oyedipo began with writing inspiring books. He  has sold millions; he also owns a publishing outfit.  Many factors made them rich but it excludes the so called tithe. Some have messages that have resonated with many wealthy business men who blessed them secretly. I know of a pastor who got a jet for his birthday from a member. he never asked for it. Some are given houses by wealthy people because they say their prayers of faith and perseverance is responsible for their wealth so they gave what they call a token. Recently, an individual built a theater  valued at one billion naira and gave it to a mission . While in Nigeria, I witnessed a pastor given three new SUV from an individual in his church, am I to understand that these men do not know that among them are some unemployed?  Some who can not afford their wards school fees?. The land owned by church of God mission at Airport road in Benin city called, 'miracle center,' was given to the mission at that time by one Barrister S.I. O. Giwa Amu. The Aircraft, pastor Enoch Adeboye flies was the decision by the elders of a mission with more than a thousands branches. It was a way of appreciating him and easing his global reach as a known minister. He was not present when they took the decision.
Another area, this is nothing short of a miracle. Pastor Chris Okotie of the household of God was a student at the university of Nigeria, Nsukka when he break into the music industry. He became the first boy to make a hit while still an undergraduate. He had it all while still in campus: fame, success , wine and women. Often, he was seen cruising around in his red Honda civic car, those days within the campus to the evil of other students. His hit record, 'I need someone', is still popular today . Then suddenly, he stopped all only to   say, he was born again. he said God has spoken to him. The entertainment industry went amok . Despite, all the verbal onslaughts, he stood his ground and left the music industry. He went to US in a circumstances that was another miracle: he went to a man he saw in vision and explain that God asked him to ask him for money to go for  theological school. the man asked him to give him time to go into prayers. The man called him later, sponsored him and his then  wife, Te'ena. After his studies at grace seminary, he got a pastoral appointment in New jersey. While contemplating taking the appointment, God intervened and told him he has his base in Nigeria not America. Another unknown person came to him and gave him an envelope, telling him God instructed him to give him, Chris Okotie the sum of  thirty thousands dollars for a reason he can not say, but Chris Okotie, now a qualified pastor, knew it was to facilitate the  relocation to Nigeria! What i want to bring out here, dear reader, is that, PEOPLE OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD TO GIVE. These kind of giving can sometimes enrich men of God. Let us not forget also the intellectual works of some of them; their fame easily makes their books a sold out in  no time. Imagine David Oyedipo 's books not selling? or the head of Mountain and fire miracle ministry,  DR. D.k Olukoya not selling? or Enoch Adeboye? Why do we say T.B Joshua is one of the richest? Is it members money? Noway, but many rich expatriate who , after  miraculous cure and healing, give his ministry huge sums of money.
How about the  less famous faces. These ones have many members  abroad. They often keep in touch, remembering, how their pastor prayed for a successful journey, then later, their quest for a residence permit. They pay back by keeping in touch and contributing to all programs. Some even buy good cars for  these pastors!During harvest, national programs and many more. How about sales of recorded messages, gifts from churches they have ministered and many more.
None of these wealthy pastors is not sponsoring at least, five undergraduate yet, the critics do not see this. Many like Winners, church of God mission, are helping to educate about 1.2 million  of our children no one seems to notice this. The little they got is put into good use for the betterment of the Nigeria populace. Many employ hundreds of workers they pay every months, thereby, contributing to the economy. Recently, a donor gave Benny Hinn Ministry  A million dollars.  Is that tithe money? People like Daddy Freeze can not understand the workings of God nor how Christ sustains HIS body.



Will be seeing you,



Godwin Guobadia writes from The Netherlands.