Dear aunt Agony,
I admit I am not the most religious of people, but the recent report of the so-called Megachurch phenomenon in Singapore has raised thoughts I'd like to share with you, and seek your opinion on.
It is ultimately frank and open discussion that will prompt a further and deeper understanding of the Faith.
A message of Wealth or Worship?
In a highly stressed society with material well-being as a main concern, it is not difficult to prey on a people and Culture familiar with the wealth concept (Cai Shen Ye, or god of wealth). It is fertile ground indeed. But if it is Christianity we are talking about, it is stated in the Bible that God was close to eliminating the Israelites because they worshipped the Golden Calf, a metaphor for wealth. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_calf). Jesus also states in the New Testament that 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God'. From this we know at the very least it cannot be the ultimate focus of the Faith.
There is also the famous scene in the Bible where the Devil took Jesus up to a height and offered him wealth and power, and when Jesus refused, asked to see if God would protect Him should He fall from that height? Jesus' answer was 'Do not test the Lord your God'. (
Matthew 4:5-7)
Yet If we worship God with the key objective of abundance, are we not testing Him on a daily basis? What if abundance is not resultant from worship? Is it God being worshipped or Mammon? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammon)
Is it (show) business or religion? What is the motive?
Churches are built to house a congregation of worshippers, not Billion dollar investments with profit as the key motive to house Shoppers.
Many churches own or lease their own properties for worship. True, money is involved and these churches have managed - however, it is greed when profit becomes the motive.
With a key listed company in the picture accountable to its own shareholders in one of the cases, what else could it be? Did not Jesus cast out all who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrow the tables of the moneychangers? (Matthew 21:12-13) In Singapore, we have the phenomenon of a billion dollar multi-purpose complex being developed. Isn't that rather Anti-thetical? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Creation_Church)
We also know one of the investigated 'pastors' was guilty of doing a copy and paste for his Preachings. It seems efficiency rather than inspiration was the motivation in a hurry to harvest the city of its wealth. Nonetheless, numerous books and DVDs continue to be pumped to a believing and paying audience. The same way He has gifted us with Free Will, and the abundance of the universe, God's Grace is for free. If sharing is the true intention, there are channels available such as YouTube and the internet. But it's become a whole industry.
At the last supper where Jesus celebrated communion, was there a Band, or Dancers, or spectacular sound and lighting effects to ensure his disciples/followers were suitably enagged? I'm afraid not. It's not meant to be show Business... or is it?
Religion and Business should not be one and the same; there should not be such a thing as the Business of Religion.
In conclusion...
Whilst may other reasons and rationale may be added, and I hope you do - the above are to me the key reasons why we should all be wary of churches that have started out of nowhere, revolving around a single or a few (non-divine) men or women in what are effectively personality cults. They could be wonderful motivational speakers in their own right, but to use the name of God for leverage... in business terms, they owe copyright fees which will be in the final reckoning. Abundance may come to those who truly worship God, however there is something wrong if it is WHY we worship God.
Ultimately, society should be wary of those who wake up one day and decide they can start their own church with names that imply wealth gathering (City Harvest, ie Harvest the City), or simply scream irony (New Creation) as Christianity certainly is not new, but oh yes, it's a bright idea but I can;t think of a better name. Or churches started by people who deny their given names, or who plagiarise wholesale, or pay themselves huge salaries (until exposed but continue selling Stuff), or who help their wife live in USD 28,000 a month bungalows pursuing their dream careers.
Now, I'm sure we are all awaiting the outcome of ongoing legal investigations.
May the Truth and Reason prevail.
Now, your advice please.