Spiritual fathers, Mentors, Generals,
Leaders, Apostles, Mega church founders, Prophets. Call them what you will. They
come in different shape and/or form but identify themselves as individuals who
were sent by God, to his people, to share the gospel and effect change in
people’s lives, regardless the methods. They are the light that many look up
to, a beacon and lighthouse during turbulent storms.
In life, people face numerous
challenges that range from health, to personal relationship issues, finances,
work related stresses etc, and more often than not, turn to spiritual guidance
to see them through these tough times.
That said, the people they
turn to, have become, more infamous for abuse of position and taking advantage
of the vulnerable for financial or other associated gains. The first question
that springs to mind is “have we become so blinded by our ‘problems’ we have
become gullible to charlatans and stage players who step out of cars, more
expensive that the combined earning value of their congregants, in expensive
Gucci or otherwise labeled suits?” (One notable ‘Man of God’ stated all he
wears is Versace and Luis Vuitton-to appeal to the international market.”)
In biblical terms, what is
the role of a prophet? Manfred ****** from All Nations Christian Church, gifted
in the ministry of Prophetic insight had this to say, “There are levels of
prophetic ministries within the body of Christ, in essence, types of gifting
bestowed upon individuals. Any form of prophecy is intended to
encourage, edify, call to repentance and build up an individual, the body of
Christ or the nation.
The areas of prophecy include
Redemptive gifts of prophesy (those bestowed on God exclusively for individuals
to operate in this sphere of ministry)-working effectively in ministry in this
area usually takes 20 years to nurture the gift and is never used for anything
else but the above mentioned. “The second involves the gift of prophecy listed
in the spiritual gifts in which all individuals are to operate in. So in actual
fact, we all have the ability to prophecy. If you go to some one and tell them
‘I believe God wants what’s best for you and I know he will come through for
you,’ that is edification and you speaking for the future … ‘he will come
through for you.’ That’s prophecy.”
Manfred continued by adding
that an individual telling you your I.D number, your cousin’s name, your
mother’s aunt’s neighbour’s cat’s kitten’s toy colour bears no spiritual
significance on your life as it adds no value in any way. It doesn’t tell you
how to live, how Christ can be the voice you need to hear etc. He equated that
to witchcraft and said Christians are not the only ones who can perform miracles,
citing the example in exodus when Moses’ staff turned to a snake and so did
Pharaoh’s sorcerers.
This also leads to the
conclusion that many of the so called “New-Age prophets” could be operating
under “alternative power” and we might think it’s divinely oriented but might
be otherwise.
Have Christians become so
enchanted by this Razzle-dazzle we have totally abandoned reading the bible for
ourselves, noting what it says about wealth, healing and success, we decide to
follow ridiculous teachings and directionless pointless “visionaries?”
The headlines are screaming:
· “Pastor introduces and sells bath soap that brings
back lost lover,”
· “Prophet sells holy water, air and soil from Israel in
all complete healing package,”
· “Apostle charges N$20 000 per ticket for banquet with
congregants, who will receive special prayer for blessing”
· “Individual buys Pastor million dollar car for his
ministry,”
· “Prophet makes congregants eat grass, for their
deliverance,”
All these are daily headlines
that pay no respect to the relevance of the money being paid by the average
Joe, probably spending the little s/he has put away to give to the “man of God”
who already has 12 bodyguards, spends a night in the most exclusive of hotels,
does not walk to appointments and services but is chauffeured to and fro.
The problem then is in two
parts. Firstly, what group of people allow themselves to be duped into feeding
someone’s ego and money extortion schemes in the name of “God.” Can they not
see for themselves that they are but pawns in the grander scheme of things?
“Prophecy” and “spiritual discernment” has become a rather profitable business
in Africa lately with people flocking to these services en masse to “give so
they can receive.” When one individual seen at these meetings was asked by this
writer whether the prophecy spoken over their lives had come true and they had
receive the financial breakthrough they were looking for? A dumb look fell upon
their face and the most outrageous excuse came from their mouth: “I was told my
faith is not strong enough, and I need to develop and exercise my faith to tap
into the ‘blessing.’”
How much faith do you need
when you earn a little over N$2500 a month, have a family of 5, excluding
random family members who pop in now and then, and then have to give “a love
offering of N$500” to the Man of God for your blessing?! Are people that naïve?
Am I expecting too much from people when I ask them why they just cannot stop
funding these extortionist enterprises that leech of the needy only to faten
the rich?
George Orwell’s Animal Farm
comes to mind at this time, when he says, “All animals were created equal, but
some are more equal than others.” This saying is beyond true in its nature in
that we have elevated mere mortals, men and women, with blood and flesh like
you and I into a God like status, were, whether we like it or not, we have
placed them higher than God himself. We don’t care what he says, we don’t go
looking for it for ourselves. We want it to be told to us by somebody else, in
a shiny flashy suit and N$2000 shoes, so that we can believe it. Sad. Very sad.
The power that we, as
individuals, have to change our own destinies is immense. Romans 8:11 addresses
this by saying “But if the same Spirit of him that raised Christ from the dead
dwell in you, shall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit which dwells in
you.” With such a power, anything can be overcome.
Pastor Peter Banda, from
Elevated Ministries stated that “people seek what is popular, and not
necessarily what is right, and in so doing lose track of the meaning of the
gospel in the first place.”
The second part of the problem is with the swindlers themselves. No other word seemed appropriate to use to address these individuals. If one is sent by God, surely all their needs are met without them having to pay for unnecessary luxuries. Consider the likes of Elijah, Elisha, Paul, etc all powerful agents of the word of God who moved from place to place spreading the gospel and answering the call, but making use of what they found where they went. None of them demanded to stay in the most expensive of places, but that didn’t stop them from doing the work of God.
If an individual then says
they are bringing a word from God and they want to charge me for it, I am forced
to ask questions. If its from God, its not your word, its His word, you are but
a vessel, say what God has sent you to say, and let my pocket be mine and mine
alone. I am not, in any way, advocating
for people not to give. It is encouraged to give, but when one gives out of
coercion and out of obligation and arm-twisting for other forms of gain, then
we have a problem. “Blessings will not be theirs if they do not give”-such
mentalities should be change.
People should be protected
from such individuals, and because we are a desperate people in harsh times
seeking for answers, we will end up falling for anything that is packaged
right. The prosperity gospel is very attractive, especially if delivered by a sweet
talking well travelled and well dressed man who owns a couple of private jets,
schools, clinics, and businesses but ministers daily to people with no shoes.
We like that sort of thing. “Something to aspire to.” I believe however, that
when the day of judgment comes, which no man can escape, those entrusted with
people’s lives spiritually will have a different yardstick that will not be so
understanding and forgiving for misleading people down the wrong path.
When will we learn? We are
being blinded and continue to pour more and more into individuals’ coffers with
no spiritual return. “But store up your treasure in heaven, where moth and rust
do not destroy….”Matthew 6:20. If there is a phrase that
really sums it up, it is, Matthew 7:15 “Beware of prophets, which come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
Decide for yourself.
Disclaimer:
This article is not written as a scathing attack towards any one
individual/group of individuals. It is based on opinion, public interest and
individual observation.
