A pastor also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. Three verses in the New Testament include the word “pastor” (in various forms): Ephesians 4:11, Acts 20:28, and 1 Peter 5:2, pastors are charged with the primary responsibility of teaching but a closer look at these verses will demonstrate that the responsibilities for pastors involve more than teaching. Several pastors worldwide are serving humanity by providing guidance to people belonging to the community. In the process, quite a number of them have become very wealthy through their ministries, churches and other investments. These millionaire men of God are known all over the world, Nigeria is blessed to have a large chunk of them. Five out of ten. According to the celebrity lifestyle online magazine, richestlifestyle.com, the richest pastor in the world is Bishop David Oyedepo, followed by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

10. Joseph Prince – Net worth: $5 Million (Singapore)

There has been criticism about the salary paid to Prince by the church. On October 5, 2008, in an interview with the Sunday Times, Prince, also the executive chairman of the church council, acknowledged that he was “well-paid” but also added that “money doesn’t have a hold on me”. He dismissed allegations that his salary was $50,000 a month, saying “It could have been $50,000 if I had not voluntarily taken all the pay cuts through the years. There was a system of payment that would actually enrich me greatly but as the church grew, I refuse to accept that system of payment.” The annual salary of this Singaporean pastor is $550,000. Pastor Joseph Prince is the senior pastor of the New Creation Church in Singapore. New Creation Church in Singapore is one of Asia’s biggest churches.

9. Chris Okotie – Net worth: $10 Million (Nigeria)

Chris Okotie was a pop musician in the 1980s prior to becoming a pastor. He embraced the Bible and set up the Household of God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant churches. He is an automobile lover and owns several posh cars which include a Mercedes S600, Rolls-Royce, Hummer and Porsche. Okotie first ran for the President under the banner of the National Democratic Party (NDP); he lost to Olusegun Obasanjo in the May 2003 elections. He ran again in 2007 as a member of the Justice Party and lost to Umaru Yar’Adua in the May 2007 elections. Then in 2011, he ran on the platform of a party he founded, Fresh Democratic party, and lost to President Goodluck Jonathan. He has not contested again since then.

8. Matthew Ashimolowo – Net worth: $10 Million (Nigeria)

It all started in 1992, when Foursquare Gospel Church, a Nigerian church, sent Ashimolowo to open a satellite branch in London. But Pastor Matthew had other ideas and decided to set up his own church instead. Matthew Ashimolowo’s Kingsway International Christian Center is the largest Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom. It has assets worth more than $40 million and earns a profit of more than $10 million. Although Ashimolowo earns an annual salary of $200,000, his real wealth comes from varied business interests including his media company, Matthew Ashimolowo media, which churns out Christian literature and documentaries.

7. T.B. Joshua – Net worth: $15 Million (Nigeria)

Religious aspects aside, TB Joshua is not a small man in the society, judging by the impact he has made to people’s lives all over the world. Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua is Nigeria’s most powerful, controversial and philanthropic preacher. He is in charge of the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), a congregation he founded in 1987. The Christian minister, televangelist and faith healer is a big giver; his humanitarian works include education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs. Prophet TB Joshua has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the National Honour of OFR by the Nigerian government in 2008. He is recognised as one of Africa’s 50 most influential people. Joshua is known for his popularity across Africa and his online presence, with 1,000,000 fans on Facebook and hundreds of YouTube videos which have proved controversial and amassed hundreds of thousands of views. In 2011, according to Forbes, Joshua was Nigeria’s 3rd richest pastor.

6. T. D. Jakes – Net worth: $18 Million (United States)

Bishop T. D. Jakes is the apostle/bishop of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational American mega-church that has over 30,000 members. On the PBS program – African-American Lives, Jakes had his DNA analyzed; his Y chromosome showed that he is descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria. Jakes has received numerous honours, including 13 honorary degrees and doctorates. He has also received a Grammy and Dove Award nominations for Gospel album “Live at The Potter’s House.” PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly named Jakes among America’s “Top 10 Religious Leaders.”

There are more African pastors among the top 5 wealthiest pastors in the world but who tops the list of richest pastors in the world right now? Don’t lose your mind when you find out!!

5. Billy Graham – Net worth: $25 Million (United States)

Billy Graham was an evangelist at revival meetings, and on radio and television for over 40 years. Graham has been credited with preaching to more individuals than anyone else in history, not counting the additional millions he has addressed through radio, television and the written word. He founded the Billy Graham Evangelist Association in 1950. He passed away in February 21, 2018.

4. Creflo Dollar – Net worth: $27 Million (United States)

Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr. is an American televangelist, pastor, and the founder of the non-denominational World Changers Church International based in Fulton County, Georgia. This American televangelist and pastor is also a Word of Faith teacher. Creflo Dollar has built a multi-million-dollar ministry on the message that “it is the will of God for you to prosper in every way.” He preaches that Christian conversion and disciplined steps of Bible study, meditation, tithing and other actions can lead believers to supernatural blessings and “total-life prosperity” promised by God.

3. Benny Hinn – Net worth: $42 Million (United States)

This Israeli-American televangelist earned wealth through his ministry and evangelical program. He is best known for his regular “Miracle Crusades” – revival meeting/faith healing summits that are usually held in large stadiums in major cities.

2. Chris Oyakhilome – Net worth: $50 Million (Nigeria)

Chris Oyakhilome’s church Christ Embassy has more than 40,000 members, several of whom are successful entrepreneurs and politicians. This pastor’s diversified interests include magazines, newspapers, a TV station, a record label, hotels, satellite TV and real estate. Last year, the charismatic preacher was at the center of a $35 million money laundering case in which he was accused of siphoning funds from his church to foreign banks. Pastor Chris pleaded no wrongdoing and the case was eventually dismissed.

1. David Oyedepo – Net worth: $150 Million (Nigeria)

Bishop David Oyedepo is the richest pastor in Nigeria and the world. He is the founder of the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry. Nigerian pastor, David Oyedepo has an estimated net worth of $150 million in 2011. Today, he is considered Nigeria’s richest pastor.