Well. Sort of.

“Lift your hands in worship. Lift your hands! This is a stick up. Give me all you’ve got.

:clears throat:

What I meant to say was, ‘Give God your tithes and offerings.’”

This is a love offering, an examination of the North American church’s questionable relationship with money and an excoriation of flock- fleecing shepherds and modern- day money changers who turn a dollar into health and wealth and call it ministry.

It’s season five of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast and we are giving you “A Love Offering,” an audio audit of the North American church’s messages about giving. We’re talking about the dollars and cents of Christian ministry.

Each episode will also interrogate the so- called saving power of money and the churches that bank on this belief. All this and more is behind one of these doors, which includes ever- lasting life. Some preachers say this all while proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, who gave his life as a love offering.

This special seven-episode collection:

Episode 1: “Cash Cow” with Greg Jarrell

Episode 2: “Money Talks” with Yamie Barnett

Episode 3: “Quick Buck” with Xavier Johnson

Episode 4: “Highway Robbery” with Justin A. Cox

Episode 5: “Flat Broke” with Maria Francesca French

Episode 6: “Pick Up the Tab” with Leah Grundset Davis

Episode 7: “Balance the Books” with Andrew Wilkes

offers various perspectives on monetized faith coupled with the realization that communal well- being won’t cost us an arm and a leg. “A Love Offering” audits our understanding of giving.

Join me, your podcast pastor, for season five of The Raceless Gospel podcast, starting September 4. Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts and learn more at goodfaithmedia.org.