American-based Ghanaian filmmaker and director, Leila Jewel Djansi has bemoaned the trend where churches reward pastors with gifts, salaries and cars while church members are expected to be rewarded in heaven.
In a post on her Facebook on May 20, 2025, Leila Djansi described this situation as the monetisation of Christianity and the exploitation of church workers.
“So, the church expects its workers to receive their reward in heaven while the pastor receives his reward here on earth: Salary, gifts, the pastor’s appreciation with houses and cars. The mother of all scams,” she wrote.
She expressed worry over the churches’ use of ‘grace’ theology to keep believers “in bondage through spiritual blackmail” and called for a more practical approach to faith.
“I dunno why God is not performing Old Testament gymnastics and has brought this grace that is being used to keep his children in bondage through spiritual blackmail.
“Very soon, we’ll stay home, read our Bibles, and take our tithes straight to hospitals and orphanages where they might actually do God’s work,” she added.
“This monetisation of the gospel is exhausting!! Pimping Jesus for profit,” Leila Djansi stated.
However, in the comment section of her post, she urged Christians not to give up serving God, advising them to do it willingly and not expect a reward.
She reminded Christians that serving in the church is not a guarantee for blessing rather, they should trust God for his blessings.
“Serving is serving, not a transaction. You can serve in the church for years and see no reward. And people who’ve never cleaned a church pew will send their children to Harvard. I have witnessed both.
“How God chooses to bless anyone is not in our control and is none of our business. Our job is to trust and obey,” the filmmaker stressed.
