In 1996, while serving in Kano, one of us in the executives of the Nigeria Christian Corpers’ Fellowship, said something like, “Even if bread becomes N1,000, as long as I can afford it, no problem.” He had uttered those words because of the worsening economy of the country under military dictatorship at the time. I didn’t think that was a good thing to say, and I made my reservations known.
Unfortunately, that seemed to be the prevalent thinking/attitude of many ‘prosperity preachers’ back then, and even now. It was that self-centred attitude, steeped in worldly worship, that became endemic, that gradually brought the church, and our country, to this sorry state.
As predicted 30 years ago, a loaf of bread started selling for 1K, and above, about 4 years ago. What a pity.Sadly, that self-centred attitude is still common place in the church today. When I write about what affects the vast majority of Nigerians, few people respond, but, when I write about what concerns their career, business, ministry, sports’ personality, or whatever touches them individually, many people respond.
When terrorists were slaughtering people in the NorthEast of Nigeria, I wrote about it often, and urged the Church in the SouthWest to speak up against the INSECURITY and the killing of Christians in the North. We acted unconcerned, until it came down South – as I warned it would.
Until the Nigerian Church begins to PREACH and EMPHASISE TRUTH, INTEGRITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, BROTHERLY LOVE and SACRIFICIAL LIVING, our society will continue to deteriorate. We must be taught diligently to THINK, SEE and LIVE beyond self! And, our spiritual leaders must take the lead, providing CHRIST-LIKE examples to their various congregations.
O, that all pastors in Nigeria, for the next 3 MONTHS, would preach nothing but HOLINESS, HONESTY and HUMILITY (the 3H).
So HELP us GOD!
DA