And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade…” Acts 19:23-25
Religion can be, and often is, big business that nets much money. This is one of the reasons some oppose religion so vehemently. From a Christian perspective, I would say that the culprits of religious greed are practitioners of false religion or perversions of the true religion (Christianity). The religious hucksters and charlatans who exploit people for the sake of dishonest gain promise what they cannot deliver (health, happiness, and/or wealth), in exchange for other people’s money.
Those who fall for these false and empty promises are mostly desperate people, often sick or aged, and are, therefore, somewhat vulnerable. Some send in their “love gifts,” while others willingly pay fees to be defrauded (as is the case with the victims of Scientology). All that anyone receives in exchange is a diminished bank account.
Why are these kinds of frauds so lucrative? (1) Because human beings are created by God to worship Him. But when human beings reject the true and living God of the Bible, because we are naturally “religious,” many flock to counterfeits. And (2) because being a religious con man or woman is so easy—providing one has no conscience.
The one “religion” that does not do these things and condemns those who do is biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity follows the example of the Lord Jesus, who overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple. I stress the word biblical because there are so many purveyors of false Christianity who specialize in defrauding people. Biblical Christianity stresses the following that are the antithesis of the money grabbers:
Biblical Christianity is not about what we do, nor is what we do in any way associated with getting something in return for anything we do.
Biblical Christianity is about what God does for us, chiefly, forgiving our sins against Him based on what Jesus Christ has already done for us by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Biblical Christianity is about being enriched spiritually by God’s grace—not physically, much less monetarily.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.