God Will Judge Rich Church Members Who Let Pastors Suffer in Poverty: Bishop Warns

Bishop Charles Agyinasare, founder and Senior Bishop of Perez Chapel International, has issued a strong warning to wealthy church members who refuse to support their pastors financially, declaring that God will judge those who allow their spiritual leaders to live in poverty while they themselves enjoy abundance. Speaking in a sermon that has since gone viral under the hashtag #kansemtvgh, the respected man of God argued that the church has a divine obligation to ensure its ministers are adequately compensated. According to him, it is a grave sin for rich congregants to watch their pastors struggle while living in luxury.

“If a pastor is performing his duties, the church must pay his salary. If the church is doing well, the church must pay its social security, it must think of its retirement, and it must take care of its health bills,” Bishop Agyinasare stated. He drew comparisons to other professions to drive home his point, noting that doctors, bankers, and politicians are all compensated for their services. “Someone is dying and goes to the hospital; the doctor will take his money unless he chooses to work pro bono. The bank takes three times what it lends to the poor trader,” he explained. “In the same way, no matter how rich a politician is, when he wins an election, the state has to take care of him.”

The bishop’s comments have ignited a lively debate among Ghanaian Christians. Supporters of his message argue that many pastors, especially those leading smaller congregations, live in genuine financial hardship while their members drive expensive cars and build lavish homes. They believe Agyinasare is courageously addressing a taboo subject—the reluctance of wealthy believers to invest in the welfare of their spiritual shepherds. Critics, however, caution that his words could be misused by some pastors to pressure congregants into giving beyond their means or to justify greed. Others note that the Bible also warns against pastors who preach for profit or exploit the flock.

Regardless of the differing views, Bishop Agyinasare remains firm in his position, quoting the scriptural principle that “he who works at the altar must live by the altar.” He emphasized that he is not advocating for pastors to become rich off the church but rather for them to receive decent, dignified compensation that allows them to focus on ministry without constant financial anxiety. As the conversation continues to unfold across social media, many are re-examining their own attitudes toward pastoral support. For the bishop, the matter is clear: a church that thrives while its pastor suffers is not practicing biblical stewardship—and God, he warns, is watching.