"See that's how I know you're still poor, broke, busted and disgusted, because of how you've been honoring me."
Nope, my friends, it's not a parody. Nope, I'm not about to start a rant.
This is actually a video circulating on social media of an individual who, according to blog reports, appears to be a pastor chastising his congregation for tithing poorly. It seems he wanted a luxury watch.
And so, the tantrum:
"I'm not worth your McDonald's money? I'm not worth your Red Lobster money?"
And he continues, "y'all can't afford it no how", with scattered cries of endorsement from an audience that, if this clip is really a pastor chastising his audience for more money, must suffer from Stockholm's Syndrome.
When I was a kid growing up, my mom often repeated a line she said she heard from her mom. She'd repeat it whenever anything happened that her generation deemed to be outrageous. She'd lift her eyes to the ceiling and sigh loudly and say, "These are the last days!"
Well, I guess I'm in my mother's shoe today, because that's exactly what I felt when I scrolled through YouTube and came across this orator who, if a pastor, was doing nothing more than preying on a gullible flock.
"You can buy a Movado watch in Sams!"
"Yes, you can! Yes, you can!"
"And you all know I asked for one last year. Here it is the whole way in August, I still ain't got it! Let me kick down the door and talk to my cheap sons and daughters."
Seriously, WHET?
Listen, I believe that I have a lot of faith. I am blessed and fortunate to be alive. I have been afforded so many chances, and given so many opportunities that I cannot, unless I sugar my tea with a daily dollop of ingratitude, walk around thinking that I am not here by the grace of God. I believe that firmly. But even though I believe in God and His power, over the years I have grown to appreciate that walking in faith is not the same as being religious.
Sadly, when it comes to religion and its practice, there are too many instances of persons who manipulate beliefs to achieve selfish goals and, in this case, for example, skilled orators, who shamelessly fleece their flock.
Like honestly, getting up and heading to the front of your congregation on the Lord's day to go on about a gift you think you deserve, is that the spiritual food you are called to serve?
Unfortunately, while this may be the man of the hour today, and while, because we're now in an era of smart technology and instant communications, many of these episodes are being brought to light, let's be real, a lot of this has been happening for years.
And so guys, for me it's simple. I subscribe to the school of thought that to whom much is given, much is expected. If you're a religious leader and you have a flock in your spiritual care, because that's what it is, then I think you have to be really morally and spiritually bereft to think to use your position for boldfaced personal gain. But then again, my friends, wolves walk among sheep every day, and I guess the bigger the flock, the bigger the risk, right?
But tell me, what do you think of all this? I'd love to hear your views.
Seriously, the Bible already said, when the end time is here, we would start seeing different things in the world, just like this fake prophet, as I would call him.
So, does he thinks being called to serve God means he should start exhorting money from members all in the name of paying tithes?
I swear I keep thinking this either, a, has to be a parody or, b, there must more before or after that we're not seeing in this clip because ain't no way... right?
It must be a parody because that shouldn't be real about the supposed man of God.
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