The idea that “pastors have turned into store owners, churches turned into markets, and service has become a show” draws attention to a concerning change in the core of what it means to be a missionary. The spiritual mission of a pastor is lost when his or her sacred duty is diminished to a financial deal or transaction. Rather than guiding people to salvation and repentance, others preach primarily for their own financial gain or notoriety.
By transforming the church into a marketplace where sacrifices and tithes are treated more like commodities than symbols of worship, the commercialisation of faith perverts the gospel message. Additionally, sacrificing God’s anointing for online popularity prioritises human acceptance over heavenly truth, turning God’s job from a true act of service into amusement.
The Bible strongly cautions against these kinds of doctrines. Jesus states in Matthew 6:24 that “no one can serve two masters.” You will love one and hate the other, or vice versa. Money and God cannot be served together. This text urges both spiritual leaders and believers to reflect on our true motivations.
The goal of ministry is to truly serve God and guide people away from sin and towards redemption, not to amass personal fortunes or pursue material prosperity. Heaven is not a career prize to be earned by clever marketing or popularity contests, and God is ultimately not a business.
True ministry is a selfless act of service, characterized by selfless love and a heart in harmony with God’s will. The gospel is put back in its proper place when pastors and churches keep this in mind: it is God’s means of salvation for everyone who believes.
You may obtain more insight in the book titled
“ Answering The Call Into Full-Time Ministry” on Amazon,
written by Edward Randolph-Koranteng (Rev)
