Churches and the Cheerful Givers.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 (New International Version).

It’s been thousands of years since Paul the Apostle wrote this epistle to "the church of God at Corinth", in Greece. It has however been subjected to numerous interpretations, abuses and exploitation by those whose ulterior motives get the better of them. 

It irks me whenever some “men of God”, especially the “prosperity preachers” resort to cheap blackmails by making “seed sowing” a mandatory affair. A pastor will insist that his/her church is the only place to “sow for blessings”. And the worst happens when the same pastor imposes certain minimum amounts as the only acceptable “seed money”.     

With the exception of the orthodox churches such as the Catholic, the Baptist and the protestant that employ “seed money” to care for the poor, the homeless and the sick, others only cater to the lavished lifestyles of their pastors and some vain pursuits. 

In Nigeria, for instance, new-generation churches are rich, one-man-business enterprises. The Article of Association and Memorandum of association of such a church is in the name of the founding pastor while the name of the church is merely an a.k.a.

Those "churches" do not pay taxes. Yet, they maintain fat interest-yielding bank deposits accounts, make huge revenues from mandatory "sowing of seed money", build schools where only the rich elites can afford to send kids, pay for their pastors’ extravagant lifestyles (including ownership of private jets) and serve as avenues for those with ill-gotten wealth to flaunt it.
    

On a personal note, I believe strongly in philanthropy. But my idea of charity is giving to the needy individuals and organizations. Whether sparingly or generously, I consider it necessary to “sow” voluntarily (not by compulsion) and only to my favorite charities that care for the hungry, the homeless and the sick children.

Any church that has problem accepting me for my beliefs and principles will have to leave me alone!