DANCING TO THE TUNE OF ISCARIOT.

 “Why wasn’t this [expensive item] sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth one [whole] year’s salary!” –Judas Iscariot [World Famous Traitor]

John 12:6

Judas almost made it sound like he cared for poor people more than Jesus; if we didn’t know any better we would have called Judas a social crusader and Jesus a luxury preacher! Interestingly, folks are still sounding like that today. If every time a Clergyman buys something expensive, you get angry, YOU HAVE JUDGED the man and CONDEMNED him as a thief by assuming that the money he used to buy whatever he bought is the church’s offering money. Wait, if you’re not accusing the guy of stealing offering proceeds, what then is bad about buying expensive things with one’s own money?

That is a wrong and unfair generalization. Some preachers still have ‘secular jobs’ and business, which they run wisely and make good profit. What if the money for the purchase was from his office or gifts given him? Should he reject every gift because he’s a minister and has poor members?

Everybody acknowledges that salvation, which is inclusive of prosperity, is a personal race, then it shouldn’t be hard to see why there are both rich and poor Pastors as well as rich and poor members all over the world.

Granted, there are dubious preachers- just as there are quack doctors and fakes in every area of human endeavour. So, we don’t automatically treat every doctor as a fake because of some few fakes that exist. That would be a narrow minded view of life. Still arguing? Probably the only reason you are countering everything I’ve been saying so far is because you are convinced, without tangible evidence, that ‘every rich pastor is in some way, misappropriating church funds and that they are all thieves!’ Anyway, I didn’t set out riddle your protest against the ‘flamboyance of pastors’ with any seventy seven irrefutable points. No.  I’m just pointing out a biased measure for judging ministers- the assumption that they all live off poor members!

Truthfully ask yourself, ‘If the money truly was the man’s money, should it anger you if he chooses to buy a toothbrush for one million naira, isn’t it his money?’ People go for occasions and launch an album or book, taking just one copy, for a disproportionately high amount- nothing is wrong with that because it’s their money. I can launch your book of forty pages or CD of six tracks for eight million US dollars, I can even use it to buy Michael Jackson’s last unwashed handkerchief- it’s my money!

I’m convinced that you are smarter than to assume that going around, dashing money will better people’s lives. Yes, it might solve some temporary needs; that’s why the church will keep doing so. Most people, even if handed one million dollars today, they’ll be back begging again; just give them time. Even the government whose primary job is to ‘welfare’ the people doesn't go around throwing money at citizens, why then will people be barking like the church should do that?

God almighty and all-wise, didn't prescribe any ‘anointing to dash money to the poor’ rather he anoints men to ‘preach the gospel (good-news) to the poor.’ Why? Because mind renewal is what most of us need. This does not mean we shouldn't give to the poor in cash and kind, the early church in Acts did have welfare plans but it was secondary to the ministry of the word and prayer! (Acts 6:2).The true gospel will enlighten a man; emancipating him from mental slavery- positioning and empowering him to deal wisely and profit in life.

Before you lecture the Pastors on how to spend their money, use your two legs to walk to the man’s church and ask if the church ever caters for the poor at all? Should the Pastor come on air everyday to announce how many individuals in his church he aids financially? What if a few of his members have no saving plan coupled with terrible spending habits, should the pastor never buy good stuff he likes just because of these poor folks in his sheepfold? Do you know the stories of these Pastors  and what sacrifices they have made for the gospel sake? Are pastors supposed to be workers in God’s employ? If so does Shell , Total and other multinational companies pay its staff much more than God pays his? I thought Jesus said those who sacrifice things in pursuit of the kingdom are supposed to receive ‘a hundred times as much IN THIS PRESENT AGE [now] and in the age to come, eternal life?’ (Mark 10:29-30)

Look, there’s nothing like ‘Poverty Eradication’; not in the church (no matter how many times the Pastor gives support), not in any society (no matter how hard a government tries)- we work on alleviating poor people from absolute abjection- some might eventually come out of penury, many won’t- life goes on! A Pastor shouldn't be crucified for that.

Bottom line? Don’t assume every wealthy Pastor is a thief. Don’t imagine that it’s the pastor’s responsibility to enrich his members. You don’t have to agree.