I Love Jesus but Hate Church Money Scams

By Pastora Monique Lopez Ong

1 Timothy 6:3-12 says, “These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

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The gospel is not for sale. In reality, this message is not to point out giving in church. God loves His church and wants to bless is abundantly. But sometimes, it is exploited for personal gain. The issue is not simply money in the church. The issue is the deception, manipulation and the wrong use of money in the church. Every time the name of the church is used for money-making schemes, people don’t only use money. They lose their trust in the church as an institution of God.

When faith becomes a hustle,…

Paul saw it coming already and He said, “They think godliness is a means to financial gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5 says, “These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” Instead of caring for people, they take advantage of them. They use the church for financial gain under false guarantees.

They use a counterfeit formula. Spiritual words, financial pressure and false guarantees are used. Faith plus cash is not equal to miracles. The word of God is free. 1 Corinthians 2:17 says, “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” We do not use the name and word of God for profit.

When does trust get weaponized?

Three examples in the Philippine which can serve as warnings:

1. KAPA - donations paired with promised 30% monthly “love gifts”; SEC action and later convictions

2. Bagong Bandang Maharlika - benefits promised for membership fees; SEC revised registration after complaints of false promises

3. SBSI - Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. - former members described giving portions of government aid; used as an alleged coercion case, not a final fraud verdict.

Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” Since you already know because you have heard, speak the truth to people so they will not be scammed. Real godliness has fruit. Not hype. Not branding. But a transformed life. Godliness is not being religious.

1 Timothy 6:11 says, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Godliness starts with awe. When God us weighty, money cannot be Lord. Godliness is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Godliness is reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28-29 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”” What we truly revere, we will never casually exploit.

Your life is the receipt. Real godliness reflects God’s character. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” God is not impressed by your works. It requires grease. The true receipt of godliness is being more and more like Jesus.

Paul redefines the bag. True gain is not getting more. It is needing less to be whole. Godliness plus contentment is equal to great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Contentment is not equal to complacency. You can grow without making “more” your god. I can desire more, work for more, pray for more and still be whole today.

Break the scarcety loop.

Four practices that retain desire are:

1. Treasure Christ - Psalm 73:25

2. Trust today’s provision - Matthew 6:11

3. Practice Gratitude - 1 Thes. 5:18

4. Log off comparison - Gal. 5:26

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” The biggest scam of all is in the heart. The lack of trust in God prompts you to work on your own and not trust God to provide for what you need. God wants to turn that table around. Ask God for forgiveness. There is an altar in your heart that belongs to Jesus. Sometimes, you take that altar for granted, looking for material things in this world. And if that starts to rule your heart, you will not have peace. And your life will also have no purpose. Let Jesus rule.