We are living in a day and age, especially here in Africa, when the prosperity gospel is wreaking
havoc. It's amazing how many passages of scripture have literally been chopped out of the Bible,
or if they are still there, they are now given a totally different meaning.
For instance, the Bible is very clear that the love of money is the root of all kinds of
evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Now we find the Lord Jesus Christ himself also saying that you cannot love
both God and money (Matthew 6:24). And yet, as I said, we are living in a day and age when so much
of popular preaching on TV and radio, indeed, filling vast amounts of church buildings, is
largely about God making you rich, making you very healthy etc, etc. If you really believe in him.
That's definitely not correct. If you read your own Bible,
again and again, you will see that that's not the message of the Bible.
But on the other hand, we still must face the fact that in Africa, we're largely
dealing with levels of poverty that needs to be addressed. You can't just look the other way. We
have too many individuals who have got empty pockets and have resigned to simply begging.
So, what should be our Christian response to all this?
I honestly think that one of the best examples in the Bible of an individual
who just had the right mix with respect to this matter was the Apostle Paul.
In Acts 20 as he was bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders, this is what he said
to them. I begin reading from Acts 10:33: "I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You
yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all
these things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'."
Three things that we learn there that I think would be cardinal for us as African Christians,
or Christians in Africa, to really hold dearly.
It seems to me the first is to learn not to lust after wealth. Wanting to simply compete with one
another: "If my friend has so much wealth, I must have more". The Apostle Paul here was saying,
"I've not coveted anyone's silver or gold". And that's an attitude we genuinely have to have.
The second is that our own wealth creation must be a product of hard work. Paul says
it here. That, "You yourselves know how these hands of mine", he says, "Have ministered to my
necessities and to those of others". In other words, let's be known for being hard workers.
If there's anything that's robbing us of real wealth creation, it is nothing but laziness.
And that's why the popular teaching in churches today is if you just do the right thing, say
the right words, "Abracadabra!" Your bank account will suddenly be full of money. Now that's a lie!
The means that God has given is hard work. So, let's study, let's work hard in our
careers and see how - in being stewards over God's world - he will multiply our income.
And then thirdly and lastly, it is that out of this must grow generosity. Not that we must now
start building mansions, upon mansions upon mansions. Multiplying the metallic grey cars,
the most expensive ones, around our homes. But that we should then be able to give to
those who are needy around us. And indeed, to be faithful in tithes and offerings in the Church.
The Apostle Paul ended with that when he said,
'In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak.'
Remember, biblically speaking it is more blessed to give than to
receive. I hope that's true about you. Make that your lifetime philosophy.