Is Your Faith a Scam?

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus told the disciples, “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway; even unto the end of the world.”

These were some of the last recorded words spoken by Jesus to the men who spent every day with Jesus for at least three and a half years of ministry. Today, in the year 2026, if Jesus were to walk the earth and spend time with those who call themselves Christians, would he see this command, this instruction, this request in action? Or would Jesus find a completely different picture of his bride?

Yesterday, on September 11th in America, on a national level, we remembered the attacks on our country in 2001 of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. The attack on our nation by radical Muslims that took almost 3000 lives. A day in the history of our country that will never be forgotten.

This year, the day before, on the 10th of September, we remembered one of America’s greatest patriots and advocates for conservatism, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated 1 year ago in broad daylight as he did what he was best known for; having difficult conversations with college students on a mostly secular university campus.

One of the quotes that Charlie was best known for was, “ college is a scam.”

My goal is not to debate or prove one way or another that college is a scam or is not a scam, but I want to use this quote to represent a contrast to those who consider themselves to be Christians.

If you are reading this and you do not consider yourself a Christian, feel free to stop reading; or go ahead and continue reading out of curiosity. Maybe you will get an understanding of why you may have said in your heart, “ I don’t want to be one of those hypocritical Christians.”

The name of the organization that Charlie Kirk started was called “ Turning Point USA” with the intention of mobilizing conservative students and promoting Republican causes nationwide. He frequently held public debates at liberal college campuses all over America, debating students on matters of culture, faith and politics. He believed that college was a scam because half of the jobs in America don’t require a college degree, and many of the ideas that fill a student’s head are bad ideas. The money spent on college and the ideas that a student has to endure are why he would say it is a scam. I would tend to agree with Charlie.

This is not to say that there aren’t some degrees that are not helpful and might be very useful. I would prefer a doctor have the proper education to do an operation on me, but I do not think that a degree on gender studies is very useful. If a degree were needed to understand Genesis 1:27 (“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”) , then we have really digressed as a human race.

The question that I want to pose today however is this, “ Is Your Faith a Scam?”

At first glance, you might want to argue that your faith is most definitely NOT a scam. That’s ok. I think everyone who calls themself a Christian should want to take a confident stance that they are 100%, unequivocally, a Christian. Let’s pause for a minute though. I want you as the reader to think about something.

What is a Christian?

Many years ago, almost 2 decades in fact, I was dealing with some tax issues in my personal and business finances and out of the blue, I received a random phone call from an unknown number. On the other line, an individual who claimed to be with the IRS, claimed I owed them a significant amount of money and if I did not pay the amount that night, I was going to be arrested and thrown into prison for the unpaid debt.

Of course, because I was already dealing with some tax issues, fear struck me and I panicked. The man on the other line was demanding I give him bank account information and set up wire transfers or go immediately to Western Union to send him the money.

For over an hour I tried to reason with him that I was doing everything that I could to remedy the situation. I reasoned with the man because of how convincing he sounded. He knew my name and my phone number. That must mean everything else he was saying must be true.

In the middle of the phone call, my wife called me on the other line. And when I told her what was going on she could tell that it was a scam and told me to hang up the phone right away. Of course it was a scam, but the fear and panic that I felt was 100% real. Not because I owed a debt, but because of the guilt that I already felt regarding not fulfilling my obligation.

Often times as Christians we find ourselves in situations similar to this without even knowing it. There are so many places in our lives that could pass as truth, but might in fact be a scam. These situation are so convincing because on the surface, they look so real!

As a young man, just discovering my relationship with Jesus, there was an example given to me of a four legged chair. Each leg of that chair was necessary for the chair to stand. Each leg represented part of my life as a Christian. Read my bible, pray, go to church, and spend time with other Christians. These are obviously not bad ideals on which to stand, but do they really represent what it means to be a follower of Christ?

Just hold that thought for a moment.

Later in life, I listened as a pastor/mentor of mine gave me instruction to live my life with the proper priorities. God first, family second, work third, church last. I truly believe that this pastor had good intentions, but even though his intentions were there, something different was implied.

See, in many conversations, messages, sermons and meetings, we were told that those who loved the Lord wanted to be found in the “ House of the Lord.” The people who were hungry, served. They served as ushers and sound people. They cleaned the church and they tended the parking lot. They served the children’s department and they greeted new guests.

Are they bad things? Of course not! When you are a young, hungry, “feel called to ministry” young man though, without proper guidance, these opportunities to serve can give the illusion that you are “putting God first.” Church first, took the place of God first. After all, we are “serving God” by serving the “Man of God.” Right?

Just hold that thought for a moment.

Over the course of the past few days, I observed as conservative politicians and leaders flocked to Dallas to attend the first mid-term convention put on by the Republican party, then attend an event in New York City to honor the fallen of 911. Honorable, right? An event of celebration, followed by a day for remembrance, for the right reasons. In one event, Americans cheered when they heard President Trump declare that if the Republicans win the mid-terms, every adult American would receive a $5000 payment. A small penance for the 25 to 30% inflation we have seen in America the last five years. Cause to celebrate. Right?

Just hold that thought for a moment.

Over the same past few days, I watched as two major ministries held events in two different states. Christians flocked to these events to hear the next sermon, the next prophetic word, and the brother big names give their commentary on our nation and Christianity. Two events, and even some of the same talking heads. Speaking at one event, then flying to speak at the next event a day or two later. Are we that desperate for voices that the same people have to speak at different events from one day to the next?

Just hold that though for a moment.

Recently, I, along with my mother, were approached to be interviewed for a documentary about Christianity in America. We were asked what it looks like to be a Christian in America. I have thought about that question since I was asked, and have asked myself over and over, “ Is Christianity in America a scam?”

Is the Christianity we practice in America a scam because we go to church? No.

Is the Christianity we practice in America a scam because we follow pastor popular? Hardly.

Is the Christianity we practice in America a scam because we attend a conference? Not so.

I submit that the Christianity, or the faith that we practice in America is a scam.

Not because we observe or practice any of these ideas, but because these ideas have replaced the true meaning of what Jesus came to represent. Just like the phone call I received from a scammer decades ago, we believe what we are told. Not because it’s always true, but because we live in fear of repercussions.

What happens if I tell someone about Jesus? What happens if someone knows I’m a Christian? What if I don’t serve in multiple areas of the church?

It’s easier to just follow the man or woman on the stage than to read my Bible for myself. It’s more convenient to get a message than to be a message.

As a Christian, we should do as Jesus instructed in Matthew, but we look to the suits on the podium to do the work. We have become so enthralled by the ones who have built the massive following, that we have neglected the scripture that says, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

I fear many of us will be those who Jesus talked about in Matthew 7:21-23, when he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works, in your name?’ And when will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

Ask yourself, “Is my faith a scam?” If it is, open your Bible, talk to God, and get to know him through the scriptures.