MOW-True Spirituality
Improving Our Spiritual Understanding
Theme: Accountability should be Our Hallmark.
Memory Verse:
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corithians 4:2).
Beloved
Welcome to a new week of walking and working with the Holy Ghost, as we draw nearer to the end of the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2015.
Beloved, in whatsoever we do, we should always be guided by the divine principles of openness, faithfulness, transparency and accountability. Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Colossians:
” And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23-24).
Recently, I felt rather sad when I read on pages of newspapers at the NigeriaWorld, that the churches are reluctant or unwilling to make annual returns or give annual account of the money or things they collect from their members or public. Two countries (Nigeria and South Africa), were specifically mentioned. In Nigeria, it was mentioned that out of over 23,000 registered churches and mosques, only about 86 of them have complied with regard to rendering annual returns to the body set up by the government to regulate practice and maintain standard. In South Africa, I learnt some cases may go to court soon. I understand the main argument of the church has been that the church is divine, hence answerable to God only. I am really surprised that bodies that are regularly collecting money from the public, in whatever guise, do not feel the need for public accountability. Moreover, many of these churches have been observed to veer into non charity ventures for generating money such as setting up educational and healthcare facilities. One would have expected the church to be the leading example in honesty, openness and transparency. Unfortunately, many people hide under the umbrella of church and mosque to exploit others and do havoc.
Many churches end up putting some of their members in worse bondage than they were prior to joining the organisation. Jesus Christ speaking against this attitude and practice says:
” Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matthew 23:15).
As per our memory verse, God expects us to be faithful in whatever we engage in. Churches and the mosques are no doubt answerable to God, but they are also answerable to man . They should be shining example of honesty and transparency. They should not hide under God and allow cheating and deceit to thrive. The church in particular should be a leading example by rendering account of the money they collect annually to the body set up by the various governments in the countries where they operate.
Christianity is essentially about salvation, righteousness and freedom. The Word of God is the Son of God. He has come to make us free indeed (John 8:36).
May you receive overflow of GRACE to love righteousness and hate iniquity in Jesus name (Heb 1:9). Amen.
If you are sincere in your relationship with God in Christ Jesus, this season ask Him for a Christmas & new year gifts and you will receive them. Ask in faith and be expectant.
Prayer:
Please, key into this season and join your faith with ours in MOW, in asking the good Lord to open your floodgate of heaven and to keep it open in Jesus name. Amen.
Yours in the Lord. Ben Bassey, Iyobosa, Esther & the beloved MOW family.
Bro Ben Bassey is a psychiatrist and a spiritual health counsellor.
To further enrich yourself with spiritual health information, visit: www.ministryoftheword.org
www.abasihealthfoundation.org
Email: ministryoftheW@gmail.com
The Ministry of the Word is in partnership with the Redeemed Christian Church of Church (RCCG)
13 December 15