Luther vs the CC was about 'indulgences' as in the sale of indulgences (pre-payment for future sins).
Other payment words with religious connotations could be tributes or tithes.
All similar territory. As this day has gone on, it has occurred to me I might be thinking of an idiom. But wages of sin is the closest I can think of and that wasn't it.
Bud Adams told me the franchise he admired the most was the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he asked for more hookers and blow.