The Hidden Reason for Marvin Sapp's $40,000 Scandal
- Brother Pastor
- Mar 31
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 15
This article is going to describe the hidden reason for Pastor Marvin Sapp's $40,000 money scandal. For those unfamiliar with the incident, here is the video capturing Sapp's contentious request:
If this was not shameful enough in front of the Lord God, check out his social media reponse to people's righteous outrage HERE.
Before proceeding and for those unfamiliar with how God, through Jesus Christ, teaches us, throughout this article there are Bible verses in support of what is presented. These appear at the end of relevant sentences.
Do not feel at all bad for not knowing this because apparently, God's people are not aware either; if they were, men like Marvin Sapp, TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, and others could not operate their ministries of greed so shamelessly.
In his response to the general public's righteous indignation, Sapp attempted to put some "biblical context" to what he did through the use of 1 Chronicles 29. More plainly, he used the rightousness of God's Word to support his unrighteousness against the same.
From a Christian apologists' view, there is no Holy Ghost case to be made for what he did and how it was executed (Habak. 2:9, Matt. 16:26). The only righteousness is the public's response to include that of heathens who mock him.
With respect to using the Bible to support unrighteousness, so angry was the prophet Elijah with a group of false prophets that he wound up killing four-hundred (400) of them at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40).
Yet, and although I believe this was righteous, the Holy Spirit never commanded me to do likewise so should I kill modern fake preachers, quoting Elijah's story to justify the offense?
If Sapp understood the Word, even that which he tried to unrighteously use, either this never would happened or he would publicly repent for stumbling millions (Isa 42:18-20, Matt. 15:14, John 9:39-41).
Before proceeding, there are several thing of note:
Sapp, or other church leaders, are not wrong for raising funds to support the Lord's work, but how and why matter (Prov. 3:9, 2 Cor. 9:7, Luke 6:38). However, it is one thing to need a new roof but quite another to be greedy. Jesus Christ also had a bag of money so money, itself, is not the evil rather its intent (John 12:6, John 13:29, 1 Tim. 6:10).
God's Word specifically speaks against forcing people to give, as Sapp did by locking people in, although he tried to deny that was the purpose (Exo. 35:5, Exo. 35:29, 2 Cor. 9:7).
The Bible in no way condones this hustling dog (Jesus's Word for them), or those who allowed it through silence, nor the audience who fed the greed (Matt. 7:6, Isa. 56:10, Jam. 4:17).
The big question is why did this happen?
To begin with, and with no hyperbole intended, 95% of older black pastors are inadequate in defending what they preach from both a theological and philosophical view. This isn't an issue of intelligence because none of us are as smart as we would like to believe (Prov. 3:7, Isa. 5:21, 1 Cor. 3:18-19).
Most often, ignorant preachers just do what others showed them to do without questioning its importance beyond personal benefit and gain. For example, God never abolished the true biblical Sabbath Day (Saturday) yet Christians attend church on Sunday (Exo. 20:8-11, Mark 2:27-28).
Furthermore, the Bible never teaches that three (3) wise men were at the birth of Jesus, in the manger, but we tell this story anyhow (Matt. 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-20).
As demonic and ghastly as this is, beating, abusing, and robbing the people is something which is also taught and modeled with no biblical support.
The prosperity preacher is a chief robber and abuser and their strategies to increase personal wealth, are not exclusive to the black church. In reality, and like every other thing we know, white folks introduced us to this nonsense and blacks use it for self-enrichment
Another reason this occurs is the support, encouragement, and even admiration of other leaders who enable this perjury against the Holy Ghost.
The Bible clearly tells us if anyone doesn't bring us the doctrine of Christ and we assist them, we do the same evil as they (2 John 1:10-11). The doctrine of Christ is inclusive of all He commanded and by not doing so, we are not His disciples (Luke 6:46).
Additionally, Sapp style revelry is allowed because people hear "Jesus" come from someone's mouth and believe they are His true disciples. Yet the Lord taught something opposite with;
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt 7:21-23, Luke 13:25-27).
Prophesying is another word for preaching so who was the Lord talking about? Let those who have an ear hear.
Furthermore, the Word tells us: "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof” (Jeremiah 5:31)?
This text further cements the case that preachers, and those who follow them, are complicit in this conspiracy againt righteousness.
Let’s get down to the culture which creates these unrestrained ministers.
At the heart of such evil is the idol worship of the black preacher and rejection of Jesus Christ as the only Blessed Potentate (2 Chron. 36:16, Isa. 5:19, Gal. 6:7, 1 Tim. 6:15).
I have, and continue to experience this as a black pastor. Having God's people look at me in such a reverential way makes me sick to my stomach and breaks my heart that pastoral "groupies" think so little of themselves (Acts 10: 34-35, Rom. 2:11).
Not only do members believe preachers are superior, but to openly disagree with one, no matter how righteous the concern, is an offense against God (Mal. 2:17).
When that is coupled with the arrogance of entitlement in the clergy, it has resulted in a fearful people being led to slaughter by ruthless wolves who are unafraid of the God they preach (Rom. 14:23, 2 Tim. 1:7).
For a more in-depth look at the psychological makeup of crooked preachers and why black church culture is corrupt, download Vol. I of my devotional, Black Church Chronicles (The Hireling) here.
The gospel is the ultimate message of equality among, first, anyone who seeks and receives salvation and next, gifts of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 23:8, Luke 22:25-27, John 3:15-18, 1 Cor. 12:11, Rom. 12:4-6).
Jesus said He came to not be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28, Mark 10:45, Luke 22:27).
Black church leaders, believing themselves princes of the church, demand to be served, through unwavering, although unbiblical obedience while believing their mere presence among the inferior layperson itself is serving them (Matt. 23:6-7, Luke 11:39-43).
What Sapp did is a direct result of this mentality and unbelief. He did this so openly because he is a prince, favored by God, and deserves whatever he ask for. I am not co-signing this satanic view, just outlining it!
As an example, a local pastor, Charles Daniel of Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa, put me down on game in this area. Something that leaders are quite adept at is communicating what they truly believe without ever openly stating it.
Through comments, quips and innuendo, I had gotten the impression, over two decades in leadership, that pastors (in general) thought everyone not anointed to preach were complete idiots.
Daniel and I were debating whether my references to local preachers as "crooked" on a Sunday morning radio show I hosted was righteous. He said, “You take cheap shots at preachers during your lesson (Sunday School).”
Of course, I provided biblical proof that I was not out of order, to which he responded, “Well, that’s your opinion.” That is always the response of a defeated theologian because the Word is not the final authority, they are (Rom. 3:4, Heb. 6:18).
I responded to with, “We have to teach the people how to recognize nonsense.”
His shocking response was, “I don’t care what these mental midgets think!” In that moment, I finally heard, for the first time, absent hint and innuendo, what is truly in these men's hearts; they despise God's people for lacking intellegence they themselves do not possess.
How could Daniel's belief not be more widely accepted when;
Marvin Sapp, and those like him, so publicly misuse those God called the "apple of His eye" who, through Jesus's sacrifice, are now the "Israel of God" (Zech. 2:8, Gal. 6:16).
They not only refuse to be repentant and sorrowful, but also claim the Bible sanctions their godless actions (Psa. 51:17, 2 Cor. 7:10)
The world mocks the faith because they see no difference in our actions and their lifestyle (Ezek. 36:20-21, Rom. 2:24).
Furthermore, along with Sapp’s outrageous actions, there are other culprits to be blamed as well; other ministers who not only remain silent but secretly admire such gall (disobedience).
This demographic consists of two groups.
First are those who are shocked and offended yet remain silent, and next are the admirers who think, “Dang, I wish I could get away with this!”
More plainly, when pastors rob the kingdom and other leaders remain silent, let alone those who admire them, this is being a biblical accessory after the fact. Such enablers may not point the gun and demand cash, but silent ministers serve as getaway drivers.
Believe it or not, preachers like Sapp are not only tolerated, they are valued because they can raise such vast amounts of money!
However, Marvin Sapp is only an outward expression of what is truly in the heart of even the truly called, anointed, and sent church leader; the love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).
As an example, there is a local church leader named Marvin Jenkins who is also an accomplished artist of greed. This ability allows him ongoing access to church leaders who would not otherwise tolerate his presence.
But how professed followers of God get away this crap?
Although unspoken, the average preacher believes that God's people owe them something that even Jesus did not receive; loyalty and honor. This belief system as been taught as a biblical imperative and it is on this foundation of false teaching that such "crap" goes unpunished (Matt. 7:15, 2 Pet. 2:1, 1 Tim. 4:1-2).
When that is coupled with demanding access to a member's personal finances, it becomes easier to see how they get away with such godlessness.
Take, for example, Pastor Jenkins of Union Missionary Baptist Church (Waterloo, Iowa). At some point in the near future, I will write a featured story on him as well.
However, just as Daniel said God's people are "mental midgets" and thereby revealed what is in his heart, Jenkins said, “Our job is to get our money out of their bank account” (Matt. 12:34-35, Luke 6:45).
Please re-read that!
Pastor Daniel (Antioch) not only didn’t rebuke Jenkins for this, he marveled!
His response was surprising to me because, unlike Jenkins, who the archetypal negro storefront preacher with no word and covers this lack of anointing with singing and entertainment, Daniel is called, anointed, sent, and theologically educated.
Daniel and Jenkins are just two examples of a larger pattern of a church hustle which prospers through silence and apathy.
When this silence, further entrenched by the evil teaching that Christians should not judge one another, much less shun wicked leaders, that which can fix the problem has been willingly discredited (Matt. 18:15-18, John 7:24, 1 Cor. 6:2-3).
This church hustle is a giant conspiracy that everyone is in on through apathy, silence, and association, and no one with a national audience dares speak out except Prophet Gino Jennings.
The world hears about the major hustlers such as Sapp, Noel Jones, TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar and others yet there are others, on a much smaller scale, doing likewise such as Marvin Jenkins.
As an example, Jenkins has taken in donations, through a personal $Cashapp, for the entire Waterloo, Iowa faith community for many years. This money is not for the church he leads, which is still shady, nor for him personally; it is for another organization he leads called the Eastside Ministerial Alliance.
Not coincidentally, Sapp and Jenkins look alot alike:
More plainly, imagine you are the CEO of a community charity.
You solicit public donations and receive them regularly but no oversight exists. Other leaders suspect something, but no one mentions it out loud, let alone attempts to bring integrity into the process.
Jenkins publicly claims, “My Cash App is audited,” but the question remains: why allow this appearance of evil at all, and from someone who has proven dishonest? He has taken money from the church I lead several times through misrepresentation.
Finally, Marvin Sapp, black preachers in general, and God’s people are all complicit in this $40,000 outrage.
Sapp, for his part, and in the above social media response, addressed claims by offering the video was taken out of context. Sounds like a good ole lying politicain doesn't it?
More specifically, his statement that he did not, in fact, attempt to hold God’s people hostage by telling other leaders to “lock the door.”
Why did he do it then? He wants us to believe it was for security reasons! Yeah, securing the premises so no one could escape and take their money with them. However, let's give him the benefit of the doubt by asking him to prove he has done so prior as claimed.
Surely, if locking people in for security reasons is SOP (standard operating procedure), there is video proof of past instances, right?
All Sapp had to do was show some repentance and, even if this was a misunderstanding, believe the Bible he preaches when it tells us to “refrain from even the appearance of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22).
There is nothing he, nor anyone involved, can say other than it didn’t look good, appeared ungodly, and was wrong. Although it ounds like a cliche, the Bible supports the view that confession is good for the soul (1 John 1:9).
In the final analysis, false and wayward shepherds such as Sapp, Jenkins and others have either never been saved or ceased being so long ago.
This satanic conspiracy will get worse and worse, according to the Bible, and in Sapp’s case anyway, the witness of Jesus has been harmed in front of millions (2 Tim. 3:13). So outrageous was Sapp's offense that even heathen, pop-culture websites like TMZ mocked it.
Checking their website traffic demonstrates that because Sapp was featured on the front-page stream, at least ninety-six (96) million people were exposed to his treachery.
I wonder how many millions of TMZ readers shared it across social media thereby exposing to tens of millions of others to this fake follower of Jesus?
In one go, and beyond TMZ, Sapp literally pissed on the gospel in front of perhaps two hundred (200) million people worldwide and that number will increase.
His response to this anti-Christ behavior was a casual, “Y’all misunderstood what was plainly evident.” This is preacher speak for "you big dummies!"
Is it any wonder why our young people, and black men specifically, according to Pew Research, are falling away and laughing at the church?
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