Spiricoco Twittter@SpiricocoNg
This is an invoice from a gospel music minister.
The following are its stipulations before the said minister can be invited:
Flights will be booked for both the outbound and return journeys.
The artist will fly First Class (compulsory).
The team will fly Economy.
Hotel reservations will be covered by the church:
a. 1 Executive Suite for the minister
b. 3 Executive rooms for the 6 males
c. 1 Executive room for the 2 males
Honorarium: ₦5,000,000.
MODE OF PAYMENT:
a. A non-refundable 50% deposit must be made before the event can be scheduled.
b. The remaining 50% must be paid 2 days before the event (compulsory).
This invoice is years old, so it has most likely been revised upward.
This has become an accepted practice across many churches in the Nigerian church ecosystem today, especially among gospel music ministers.
Their ministrations, gifts, and talents are now placed behind a paywall.
No money, no ministration.
This raises several important questions about the current state of affairs.
What exactly is the minister charging for?
Everything that makes a ministration and ministry effective comes from God.
Firstly, the ministry itself is from God.
Paul said that it was Jesus who gave the ministries for the edification of the Church:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11)
Paul also said that it is God who makes us competent to minister the New Covenant:
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5)
He further stated that it is God who causes His light to shine in the hearts of the unsaved:
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts…” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
And again, Paul made it clear that it is God who gives the increase, while the minister is nothing:
“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)
The question remains: what are we charging for?
It is God who gives the ministry.
It is God who makes ministers competent.
It is God who causes light to shine in dark hearts.
It is God who brings increase and edification.
If a minister charges money to minister, it suggests that they have control over the outcome of the ministration.
But Scripture says otherwise.
So again, what are we charging for? What do we truly have to offer that justifies a price?
Paul also said that it is God who counts ministers worthy and appoints them:
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
We highlight these things to show that God is not pleased with what is happening within the Church in this nation.
This practice has become widespread. Ministers have taken what belongs to God and turned it into personal ambition.
They now believe they must be material beneficiaries simply because they are close to the altar.
Like Hophni and Phinehas, they are fattening themselves on the offerings of God’s people.
God is not pleased.
These money-mongers are ministers of Christ. They do not represent Jesus.
They have become celebrities, following the way of Cain.
Their consciences have been seared, and they no longer hold to the mystery of the faith with sincerity and a pure conscience.
God has rejected the service of such people.
This example is only a modest invoice.
There are others that are far more excessive, more troubling, and more driven by greed.
But the message has been passed.
More will be said.
Until then, remain blessed. Keep your garments white and your hands pure.
Amen.