By Nneka Okumazie
Does flying a private jet make a person a sinner? Should an individual wait for everyone else to become wealthy to be able use new stuff? If a facility provides efficient transport for the leader of an organization in multiple locations, would it not be better to get it for use?
If acquiring something for efficiency would seem to others as luxury, should it be overlooked? If church projects take years of contributions before completion or acquisition and others only see the end, should they communicate that they’ve been on it for long?
If people are asked to give in a church, should they be warned that – giving expected of the Lord is like worship in spirit and in truth and to also be done cheerfully with legitimate money?
If a true church is prosperous, does it mean it’s unloving? If people are poor, does it mean it’s the fault of the church? If a church is compulsively philanthropic, what percentage of impact can it sustainably have in a populated nation of pervasive poverty?
Is hypocrisy of poverty expected of true Pastors because of the optics of using a private jet?
If Christ said go ye into the world and preach the gospel, or that ye shall be witnesses to Me, does it not mean going physically and getting to as many places as possible?
[Acts 16:5, And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.]
[Acts 12:24, But the word of God grew and multiplied.]
If a true Pastor is connected and knows powerful people, does it mean the Pastor is corrupt or a sinner?
[2 Kings 4:13, And he said unto him, say now unto her, behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what [is] to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.]
Elisha was very well connected so yes, a true servant of God can also be. Apostle Paul preached to the poor and the rich.
[Acts 26:22, Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:]
Many are agitated that private jet by a true Pastor is because of the money of the poor and that Apostle Paul worked, like he said here:
[Acts 20:34, You yourselves know that I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed.]
However, Apostle Paul used a lot a help through his ministry. It is almost impossible to have gone around that much and done a lot, without help from so many.
He got help from Macedonia. He requested for debt forgiveness for another from Philemon.
[Philemon 1:14, However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.]
[2 Corinthians 11:9, And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all [things] I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself].
[Philippians 4:15, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.]
So yes, he worked but also got help – never by force.
Usually, church projects take time. Buildings or purchase takes years of effort. Contributions are pressed but often slow. People give what they choose out of what they have, no matter what anyone says.
Yes, there’s sacrificial giving, but it is intermittent for most, or scheduled, not that consistent. Committed Christians put something for the project, to be a part of something bigger. They also do in submission to God, not to the Pastor or church.
The model seems to non-believers like made to benefit the Pastor. That is inaccurate. Christ is the head of any true church. A true leader takes position but everything of the true church belongs to God.
Whatever anyone has access to in the church should be used in total humility. Not for show or to feel like better than others or for advantage. Everything done to God, in a church is worship.
[John 4:24, God [is] a spirit: and they that worship Him must worship [Him] in spirit and in truth.]
[Psalm 2:11, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.]
Sincere giving in church can lead to blessing at a time God decides. Devout Christians understands this. Giving something can be reaped with external help for one’s progeny, or be rewarding in the world to come. Giving, by devout Christians, in a true church is not a gamble, or a scam.
People don’t want Pastors talking about prosperity because they think it gives false hopes. But Christ said give and it shall be given. Apostle Paul quoted Christ, saying, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Churches grew in the Epistles because people took the gospel around. People there also gave for maintenance and management. The poverty of society or hardship of the people is not caused by the church or Pastor.
The Pastor has little to no power to shape public policy, or government decisions, without getting distracted by criticisms of interfering in government matters – for personal gain.
The church is for genuine salvation and deliverance for those with: all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.
[Psalm 107:20, He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.]
Private jet by a true Pastor is not a sin. Yes, it may look like the money could have been used to feed the poor, but more than feeding the poor – though super important, is the Love of God, which is also the love to save the world from sin.
[Luke 10:27, And He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.]
Business Post Contributor