The ongoing debate about whether gospel artists should charge for guest ministrations in churches has sparked diverse opinions within Christian circles. Adding his voice to the discussion, renowned gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has explained why he chooses not to demand payment when invited to minister in churches. During a recent sermon, Bassey shared his personal conviction on the matter, emphasizing that ministry is fundamentally a service to God and His people. He stated, "If a church invites me to come and minister, they are doing two things: inviting me to minister to God and to His people. To my own understanding, when you tell me to minister to God, I can't charge God to minister to Him. How much did He charge me for His blood on Calvary? The blood that is the very reason for my ministry. It's a personal conviction for me, and it has worked for me, so why leave what is working?" Bassey’s remarks come in response to a recent controversy ignited by Apostle Lazarus, who criticized gospel artists for commercializing ministry by charging fees for church performances. The pastor recounted an instance where a singer requested five million naira to perform at his church, arguing that such financial demands detract from the spiritual essence of gospel music. His statement sparked widespread debate within the gospel music industry and the broader Christian community. On the opposing side of the argument, gospel artist Timi Dakolo defended the need for gospel musicians to be compensated for their work. In a detailed post, Dakolo highlighted the financial investments required to sustain a music career and urged Christians to acknowledge that gospel music, while spiritual, is also a profession. "My dear Christians, a quote or conversation can sound intelligent and deep yet be untrue. Just like everyone else, you deserve the best things life has to offer. You should be paid what you deserve. Studio sessions, production, and promotion cost a lot. You have a family to feed, you have rent to pay. You have more songs to put out. We should stop these attacks on people’s work. As much as it is spiritual, music is also an art. If you can’t pay people, use your choir members and pay them whatever you would have given the guest artist," Dakolo wrote. The discussion surrounding financial compensation for gospel musicians remains divisive, with opinions split between those who believe ministry should be entirely selfless and those who recognize gospel music as a professional craft requiring financial support. As the conversation continues, gospel artists and church leaders will need to navigate the delicate balance between spiritual service and economic sustainability.