Faith, Business, and the Exploitation of Christianity – this article dives deep into how Christian faith has been manipulated for wealth and personal gain.
A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. That’s what Jesus said. (Matthew 7:17) It’s a simple concept, yet one that so many Christians—and especially Christian leaders—seem to forget when it comes to business and money.
I’ve seen it first hand. I’ve worked for people who called themselves ministers—ordained, respected, standing in the pulpit each week—but their business practices were anything but Christlike. They didn’t outright mistreat people, but what they did was still fundamentally wrong.
They deducted pension payments from employees’ salaries—money that was supposed to secure people’s future—but they never actually paid it to the pension fund. They stole from their employees under the guise of running a legitimate business, and no one knew until it was too late. Meanwhile, they lived “comfortably”, a lifestyle that didn’t match the struggles some of their employees faced. They also didn’t pay suppliers on time or at all in some cases. People who had supplied goods of services, and were owed payment, never got it. Then, they disappeared, leaving a mess!
And to top it off, they ran a church on the side. Many years later I forgave them, but it pains me that they did what they did, while professing the faith.
Exploitation of Christianity: When Faith Becomes a Business
It’s the same prosperity gospel nonsense that we see in so many places today. The idea that Christianity is a means to wealth, power, and influence, rather than a call to humility, service, and sacrifice.
What made it worse wasn’t just that they did these things—it was that they did them while preaching about God’s blessings and favour. They positioned themselves as “anointed” leaders, speaking with authority about faith, yet their actions completely contradicted what Jesus stood for.
It was never about serving others. It was never about faithfulness to Christ. It was about using Christianity as a tool for personal gain.
And unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. This same pattern plays out in mega-churches, celebrity pastors, and so-called “prophets” all over the world.
Religious Leaders Living in Luxury While Preaching Sacrifice
We’ve all seen them—the preachers who:
✦ Live in multi-million-dollar mansions while telling struggling people to “sow a seed” for their breakthrough.
✦ Own private jets while claiming they need them to “spread the gospel.”
✦ Walk around with designer suits and luxury watches while preaching about humility.
✦ Hold massive, expensive events that they charge people to attend—ostensibly to cover costs, yet somehow always personally benefiting in the end.
✦ Act as if they alone have the correct interpretation of scripture, refusing to be questioned or challenged.
And still, millions of people follow them.
Why? Because these so-called ministers have mastered the art of deception. They use scripture out of context. They prey on the poor, the desperate, and the hopeful. They present themselves as God’s chosen ones, convincing people that to question them is to question God Himself.
And the cycle continues.
How False Preachers Manipulate Hope and Scripture
These celebrity preachers thrive because people want to believe them. Their message is appealing—who wouldn’t want to hear that God’s plan is to make them healthy, wealthy, and successful? Who wouldn’t want to believe that by giving more, praying more, or “honouring the man of God,” they’ll receive supernatural financial blessings?
It’s a dangerous distortion of the gospel.
The Real Gospel of Jesus vs Prosperity Teaching
Jesus never promised earthly wealth, private jets, or VIP status. He never told His followers to build empires in His name. In fact, He warned against exactly the kind of behaviour we see today:
✦ “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” – Luke 12:15 NIV
✦ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” – Matthew 23:25 NIV
✦ “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV
The prosperity gospel takes half-truths and twists them into lies. Yes, God blesses His people. Yes, He provides for our needs. But the idea that faith is a transaction—that if you give more money, pray harder, or follow the right preacher, God will make you rich—is spiritual manipulation.
And yet, these preachers continue to build their wealth on the backs of faithful people.
They live like kings, while the very people funding their lifestyles struggle to make ends meet. They wear the finest clothes while their congregants can barely afford food. They drive luxury cars while their followers take the bus. They preach generosity but hoard wealth.
And still, people defend them.
Signs of Spiritual Abuse by Pastors and Church Leaders
One of the most heartbreaking things about this whole system is how deeply people are deceived into defending these preachers.
If you dare to question them, their followers will say:
✦ “Touch not the Lord’s anointed!” (completely misusing Psalm 105:15)
✦ “You’re just jealous of their blessings!”
✦ “They work hard for what they have, why shouldn’t they enjoy it?”
✦ “God wants His children to prosper!”
They cannot see the problem because they have been conditioned to believe that these preachers are proof of God’s favour. If their leader is rich, it must mean God is blessing them. And if they stay faithful, give enough, and obey without question, they too will receive those same blessings… eventually.
But that’s the trap.
The money never seems to flow in the direction they expect. The preacher’s wealth grows, but the people remain stuck—giving, waiting, believing… while someone else lives their dream lifestyle off their backs.
It’s spiritual abuse, plain and simple.
And it’s why I will always be wary of mega-churches and celebrity pastors. I know not all large churches are corrupt. I know not all well-known preachers are bad. But I also know that when money, power, and ego are involved, there is a huge risk of corruption.
Jesus never built a financial empire.
Jesus never charged admission to His sermons.
Jesus never flew from town to town in first-class comfort.
Jesus never demanded “honorariums” for speaking engagements.
Jesus never used the gospel as a business model.
So why do these preachers think they can?
At the heart of all this is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to follow Christ.
Jesus never promised His followers wealth, comfort, or an easy life. In fact, He said the opposite:
✦ “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24 NIV
✦ “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” – Matthew 8:20 NIV
✦ “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 NIV
Christianity is not about personal gain. It’s about surrender. It’s about serving others, not taking from them. It’s about laying down our lives, not building personal kingdoms.
And yet, the prosperity preachers do the opposite.
They tell people to sacrifice—but only for their benefit.
They tell people to give—but they never give up their own luxuries.
They tell people to trust God—but their trust is clearly in money, power, and influence.
It’s hypocrisy of the highest order.
And I’ve seen the damage it causes.
The Spiritual Damage of Faith-Based Financial Exploitation
I’ve seen good, faithful people give away what little they have, believing they’re sowing into something holy—only to be left broken, disappointed, and questioning their faith when their miracle never comes.
I’ve seen people manipulated into obedience under the guise of “spiritual authority,” afraid to speak out because they’ve been told that doing so is rebellion against God.
I’ve worked under so-called ministers who stole from their own employees while running a church on the side, pretending to be righteous while lining their own pockets.
And I’ve forgiven them, but it has left a painful reminder of how often Christianity is used as a tool for power and profit.
The worst part?
These prosperity preachers and corrupt “ministers” don’t just damage people’s finances—they damage their faith.
When someone has been told that giving to a preacher will bring them a financial breakthrough, and that breakthrough never comes, what happens?
They start to doubt God.
When they are promised that if they just have enough faith, they will be healed, and the healing doesn’t happen, what happens?
They feel like they’ve failed.
When they are led to believe that following Christ will make them rich, but they continue to struggle, what happens?
They wonder if God even cares about them.
And some walk away from the faith altogether—not because Jesus failed them, but because a manipulative preacher lied to them.
That is why this matters.
This isn’t just about preachers living in luxury. It’s about how they exploit people, twist scripture, and leave behind a trail of spiritual destruction.
And the scariest part?
They truly believe they are above correction.
They surround themselves with “yes men” who tell them they are right.
They label any criticism as “persecution.”
They teach that they alone hear from God and that questioning them is rebellion.
They demonise accountability because it threatens their power.
And the more successful they become, the more untouchable they feel.
The arrogance of these prosperity preachers is staggering.
They act as if they are the final authority on Scripture, dismissing centuries of theological wisdom in favour of their own interpretations—interpretations that just so happen to justify their wealth and power.
They position themselves as if they are God’s mouthpiece, and anyone who questions them is accused of “lacking faith” or “being in rebellion.”
They build their own kingdoms, not the Kingdom of God.
They seek personal glory, not the glory of Christ.
They worship wealth and power, not the God of humility and grace.
And their followers, trapped in the cycle, continue to elevate them. They idolise these preachers as if they are something more than human. As if they alone have the answers. As if they alone carry the truth.
But let’s be clear:
✦ No man is above correction.
✦ No preacher is the sole authority on Scripture.
✦ No one should be using the gospel to enrich themselves.
A true servant of Christ leads with humility, not self-interest. A true shepherd cares for the flock, not exploits them for personal gain.
And yet, so many of these preachers live in the lap of luxury, while their followers struggle, suffer, and sacrifice—all for a promise that never comes.
I cannot and will not support or excuse this kind of exploitation.
I’ve seen it.
I’ve worked for it.
I’ve experienced firsthand how corrupt leaders hide behind Christianity to justify their greed.
And I refuse to stay silent about it.
The truth is, Jesus didn’t die for anyone to get rich off His name.
He didn’t suffer on the cross so that preachers could live in mansions while their followers struggle to pay rent.
He didn’t teach humility so that pastors could fly in private jets and be treated like royalty.
He didn’t say, “Take up your cross and follow me” so that ministers could build personal empires while pretending to serve God.
Christianity is not a business model.
It is a call to die to self, to serve others, to walk in humility.
It is about justice, truth, mercy, and love.
It is about pointing people to Christ—not to ourselves, not to a brand, not to a personality.
Yet, time and again, we see pastors treated like celebrities.
We see believers more passionate about defending a preacher than defending the truth.
We see churches run like corporations, more concerned with revenue than righteousness.
We see ministry platforms used for personal fame rather than Kingdom work.
And it has to stop.
This is why I am wary of mega-churches. It’s not because a large church is inherently bad, but because money, power, and unchecked authority corrupt.
It’s why I am cautious about famous preachers. Not because every well-known pastor is corrupt, but because many have built their names at the expense of the gospel.
It’s why I have no respect for ministers who exploit people. Because I have seen firsthand how Christianity is used as a tool for manipulation, rather than a way to truly follow Christ.
I’ve forgiven those who did it to me. But I will never forget.
And I will never stop speaking out against this twisting of the gospel for profit.
So where does that leave us as believers?
How do we navigate a world where so many preachers have turned faith into a business? How do we keep from falling into the trap of following people instead of following Christ?
It starts with discernment.
✦ Test everything against Scripture. Don’t just take a preacher’s word for it—go back to the Bible. If their message is more about financial gain, self-improvement, and “living your best life” than it is about Christ’s call to surrender, be cautious.
✦ Look at the fruit of their lives. Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16 NIV) Are they living out humility, generosity, and servant-hearted leadership? Or are they building wealth, status, and personal influence?
✦ Ask where the money is going. If a church takes in millions but the pastor is living in extreme luxury while the community around them suffers, something is wrong. True biblical giving supports the work of God, not the lavish lifestyle of a preacher.
✦ Beware of leaders who resist accountability. A godly leader welcomes correction and accountability. If a pastor shuts down criticism, surrounds themselves with “yes men,” or claims they cannot be questioned, that’s a red flag.
✦ Don’t put anyone on a pedestal. No preacher, no matter how famous or “anointed,” is above error. Only Jesus is perfect. If someone’s teachings seem more about promoting themselves than pointing to Christ, be careful.
✦ Remember that faith is not a financial transaction. God cannot be bribed. There is no “special anointing” unlocked by sowing a bigger financial seed. The gospel is about grace, not manipulation.
At the end of the day, the church is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, not a money-making empire.
And as believers, we must hold ourselves—and our leaders—accountable to the true message of Christ.
At the end of it all, what matters most is our faithfulness to Christ—not to a preacher, not to a church brand, not to a movement, but to Jesus alone.
I know that calling out corruption in the church makes some people uncomfortable. It makes some people defensive. But if we truly love the gospel, then we must speak out against those who use it for personal gain.
Because the damage they cause is real.
People walk away from faith because they’ve been manipulated, deceived, and financially drained by those who claim to represent God.
People lose trust in the church because they’ve seen leaders serve themselves rather than others.
People struggle with their faith because they’ve been told that their lack of wealth is due to a lack of faith—as if Jesus Himself wasn’t homeless and Paul didn’t write half the New Testament from prison.
The prosperity gospel is one of the biggest lies ever sold to the church. And the saddest part? It’s working.
But it doesn’t have to.
If we, as believers, commit to seeking truth over hype, substance over spectacle, and Christ over charisma, then we can break the cycle.
We can stop idolising preachers and start worshipping God alone.
We can stop funding lavish lifestyles and start supporting real ministry.
We can stop falling for manipulation and start reading the Bible for ourselves.
Because, in the end, when we stand before God, we won’t be judged by how much we gave to a preacher or how loyal we were to a church brand.
We will be judged by our faithfulness to Christ, our love for others, and the fruit of our lives.
And no amount of private jets, million-dollar mansions, or sold-out arenas will matter on that day.
So let’s live in a way that truly reflects Jesus.
Let’s refuse to be fooled by religious salesmen.
Let’s hold ourselves and our leaders accountable.
Because a true servant of God doesn’t need a stage to be faithful. They just need a heart that truly follows Christ.
But there’s one more thing that needs to be said.
It’s not just the celebrity preachers, mega-church pastors, and prosperity gospel preachers who exploit Christianity for gain. It’s also the ones who put on a show of piety and righteousness while doing the exact opposite of what Christ commands.
I’ve seen preachers who never go anywhere without a Bible in hand, always waving it around dramatically as they speak. They don’t just read the Word—they perform it, making sure everyone sees just how “holy” they are. But the moment they step off stage or out of the pulpit, their actions tell a different story.
They preach about giving, but they hoard wealth.
They talk about serving, but they expect to be served.
They quote scripture, but twist it for their own benefit.
Church Financial Scandal and Misuse of Resources
Some of them are incredibly wealthy—not necessarily because their followers are struggling, but because they are amassing wealth for themselves instead of using it to do the work of Christ.
What happened to feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, clothing the poor, and housing the homeless?
What happened to using resources to help communities, rather than decorate church buildings with gold and chandeliers?
What happened to the simple, humble faith that Jesus modeled for us?
Instead, we have churches spending millions on lavish renovations, while people in their own congregation go hungry. We have religious institutions sitting on vast fortunes, while those who need help are told to “pray harder.”
Does that sound like Jesus?
Toxic Church Culture vs the Early Church Model
The early church in Acts was radically different from what we see today.
✦ “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45 NIV
They didn’t build personal wealth. They didn’t hoard resources. They didn’t live in luxury while others suffered. They gave generously, cared for the poor, and lived in community.
So why do so many modern-day churches and preachers look nothing like that?
The answer is simple: many churches today operate more like corporations than the Body of Christ.
They have branding, marketing strategies, VIP seating, merchandise, conferences, and revenue streams that rival major businesses. They treat ministry like a money-making machine, where faith is just another product to sell.
And the worst part? They convince people that this is biblical.
They tell you that God wants them to have the best, so their mansions, luxury cars, and multi-million-dollar church buildings are all “for His glory.”
They tell you that their conferences and events are necessary, so they charge outrageous fees for people to attend, all while living comfortably off those profits.
They tell you that it’s your responsibility to keep giving, because “if you don’t give sacrificially, God won’t bless you.”
But in reality?
✦ They are not feeding the hungry.
✦ They are not housing the homeless.
✦ They are not helping the suffering.
✦ They are not using their wealth to make a difference.
Instead, they are stockpiling riches, building their own kingdoms, and justifying it with Scripture.
And this is not just a problem in the prosperity gospel movement.
Even the old, traditional churches—the ones that pride themselves on being different from these flashy megachurches—are often just as guilty.
They may not have pastors flying around in private jets, but many of them sit on massive wealth, hoarding land, gold, and property while people struggle to survive just outside their doors.
✦ How many church buildings stand empty and unused all week while thousands of people are homeless?
✦ How many millions are spent on ornate decorations, fine artwork, and expensive renovations, while nothing is spent on local outreach?
✦ How many churches hold vast financial reserves, yet refuse to step in when their own communities are in crisis?
And yet, people defend it.
✦ “The church must be beautiful for God!” they say.
✦ “We need to preserve these treasures for future generations!”
✦ “It’s not our job to fix society’s problems!”
But what did Jesus say?
✦ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” – Matthew 6:19-20 NIV
✦ “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” – Luke 12:33 NIV
✦ “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” – Matthew 25:42-43 NIV
Jesus never said, “Build extravagant temples and store up wealth in My name.” He said, “Care for the least of these.”
And yet, how many churches today actually do that?
This is the reality we need to face: Christianity has been hijacked by greed, power, and self-interest.
It’s not just the mega-church prosperity preachers.
It’s not just the celebrity pastors with private jets.
It’s not just the ones who wave their Bibles around for show.
It’s the entire system that has turned faith into a commodity rather than a calling to selfless service.
And we let it happen.
We turn a blind eye.
We feel embarrassed to challenge them.
We excuse the extravagance.
We defend the corruption.
We continue funding the machine.
We refuse to question anything because we’ve been told that doing so is “divisive” or “rebellious”.
But Jesus wasn’t afraid to call out religious corruption.
✦ He flipped tables when He saw the temple being used for profit. (Matthew 21:12-13)
✦ He condemned the Pharisees for their greed and hypocrisy. (Matthew 23:25)
✦ He told His followers to beware of false teachers who look righteous on the outside but are inwardly corrupt. (Matthew 7:15-16)
So why are we afraid to do the same?
Why do we stay silent when churches hoard wealth instead of helping people?
Why do we ignore the self-serving leaders who build personal empires in Jesus’ name?
Why do we excuse preachers who live in mansions while preaching sacrifice?
This is not Christianity.
Christianity is not about funding luxury lifestyles.
Christianity is not about worshipping preachers.
Christianity is not about building church brands and financial empires.
Christianity is about following Christ. And following Christ means:
✦ Serving the poor, not exploiting them.
✦ Preaching truth, not manipulating people.
✦ Giving generously, not hoarding wealth.
✦ Living humbly, not chasing power.
✦ Standing for righteousness, not excusing corruption.
Accountability in Ministry Starts With Us
So here’s my challenge to every believer:
Stop funding greed.
Stop excusing abuse.
Stop blindly following preachers who care more about their image and wealth than the mission of Christ.
Stop defending leaders who twist Scripture to justify their own riches.
And most importantly: Start reading the Bible for yourself.
Because when we stand before God one day, we won’t be judged by how loyal we were to a preacher or how much we gave to a church brand.
We will be judged by our faithfulness to Christ.
✦ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21 NIV
That’s what matters.
And no amount of private jets, luxury mansions, or sold-out stadiums will change that.
So let’s stop playing church and start being the Church.
✍️ Writer’s Note
This article reflects my personal experiences and convictions, grounded in Scripture and pastoral observation. For readers interested in exploring these issues further — including the exploitation of Christianity, the prosperity gospel, and spiritual abuse — the following sources offer important context, examples, and biblical responses:
Further Reading & Supporting Resources:
- Hillsong Church financial scandal – ABC News (2023): ACNC cracks down on Hillsong College after fraud investigation
- Prosperity Gospel dangers – The Gospel Coalition: The Prosperity Gospel: How It Can Mislead and Harm
- Spiritual abuse investigation: Mike Pilavachi – Christianity Today: Investigation: Mike Pilavachi ‘Used Spiritual Authority to Control People’
- Understanding spiritual abuse – Michael J. Kruger: What is Spiritual Abuse?
- Biblical response to prosperity gospel – GotQuestions: What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
- Church corruption and coercion in Africa – Mail & Guardian: Blessing or Blasphemy? Prosperity Gospel Under Spotlight
- Evangelicals & corruption – Christianity Today Global: Making the World Safe for Bribery
📚 Further Resources from FHLM
If this article resonated with you — especially if you’ve experienced spiritual manipulation, pressure to “give for a breakthrough,” or disillusionment with corrupt leadership — these resources may help you begin a journey of healing, clarity, and deeper faith:
- Finding Freedom – Understanding and Living in Redemption
A two-week Bible study for those who feel trapped by shame, fear, or control-based teaching. This guide focuses on how Christ redeems us and calls us into a life of grace and freedom — not exploitation. - Unshaken – Finding Peace in a World of Stress and Worry
A 10-week devotional study for those left anxious by false promises of prosperity or performance-based faith. This resource gently leads you back to trust, rest, and peace in Christ, even when life is hard. - FHLM Equip – Leadership Training (Coming Soon)
We’re developing a training platform for those called to lead with humility, integrity, and Christlike service. This initiative will offer practical formation for ministry leadership rooted in the gospel, not performance or prestige.
We will continue adding resources to fhlm.org over time — including new Bible studies, leadership reflections, and tools for churches and individuals committed to a gospel of truth, not manipulation. We hope you’ll return often and share these materials with others on the journey.