Faith or Financial Exploitation?

In a remarkable annual tradition, one large church in Mombasa, Kenya, celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles, a Jewish Biblical festival. This year’s celebration, which I tuned into on YouTube, revealed an unusual instruction from the senior pastor: he asked congregants to bring a “heavy seed” offering on the seventh and final day of the celebration. This financial contribution, he explained, would ensure blessings for the remainder of the year, promising that it would shield the givers from lack and unlock success in every endeavour. 

Dancing, Donations, and the Divine Promise of Prosperity

It was both intriguing and amusing to watch adults in full, fervent celebration—dancing, waving green branches, and handing over their hard-earned money to the pastor. They left the gathering apparently completely assured that material blessings were supernaturally set to flow into their lives simply because of their financial gift. Meanwhile, the senior pastor appeared rather pleased as he received these “blessings.” Picture him, perhaps, smiling as he heads to the bank! Somehow, he managed to convince his congregation that they were wealthier than him because they’d entrusted him with their money. An amusing, if ironic, image indeed!

Biblical Illiteracy and Misinterpretation: A Recipe for Exploitation

One reason many Christians fall prey to such teachings is a lack of Biblical literacy. Without a clear understanding of Biblical interpretation, believers misapply scripture and succumb to teachings that deviate from sound doctrine. Here’s a helpful rule of thumb: the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus. The Old Testament lays out types and foreshadowings, including the Jewish feasts, that anticipate the coming of Christ. The Gospels capture His life and ministry, while the epistles teach us the principles He established. Revelation, as the final piece, gives us the ultimate vision of Jesus’s reign and the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. This scriptural focus on Christ means that any teaching that reduces Biblical feasts to mere financial transactions misses the Bible’s central theme.

What the Feast of Tabernacles Symbolizes

The Feast of Tabernacles, as found in the Bible, was a joyous festival commemorating God’s faithfulness during Israel’s wilderness journey. For seven days, the Israelites would live in temporary shelters to remember their ancestors’ dependence on God’s provision and protection. Its purpose was to celebrate God’s continual presence and care. In the New Testament, this festival—like all Old Testament feasts—finds its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. In John 7, Jesus stands up during the Feast of Tabernacles and declares, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37–38), showing that He is the source of spiritual sustenance that the Feast of Tabernacles was pointing to.

As believers in the New Covenant, we no longer observe these feasts in a literal sense, as Christ has already fulfilled the requirements of the Old Covenant (see Colossians 2:16–17). Christians today honour the Feast of Tabernacles not through physical offerings but by placing their trust in Christ, our provider, protector, and spiritual sustenance—the ultimate focus of the feast.

 “In Their Greed, They Will Exploit You”

Scripture does warn us about those who use their authority for personal gain. 2 Peter 2:3 cautions believers, “In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” This verse is a solemn reminder that not everyone in a pastoral position seeks the good of their flock. Some, driven by greed, manipulate believers into giving under false pretences. The events in Mombasa reflect this kind of exploitation, where a sacred tradition is used as a pretext for financial gain.

Conclusion

As believers, we must rely on sound doctrine and responsible teaching that keep Christ at the centre. By studying the Bible thoroughly and understanding its teachings, Christians can avoid becoming susceptible to the snares of exploitation. It is through this commitment to scripture and Christ-centred faith that we find true spiritual richness, far beyond any promise of material wealth.