Despite the prevalence of Christianity in Nigeria, money is
gradually usurping Christianity as one of the major religions in
Nigeria. The god of money is worshipped in the country and people will
do anything to get money. One can hardly have a conversation with many
Nigerians without the discussion focusing on money or the acquisition of
wealth. Psalm 23 has been rephrased to emphasize riches rather than
God: “The Naira is my shepherd, I shall not want. It makes me to be
happy and leads me to sleep in my houses in Dubai, London and New York.
It restores my bank account, dignity and connections. It guides me in
the path of selfishness, vanity and ignorance. Though I walk through the
valley of EFCC and the court I will not fear for thou art with me. I
shall dwell in the house of Naira, Dollar and Sterling forever and ever.
Amen.”
Materialism, classism and tribalism are prevalent in the country. We
have become very class conscious and rather than treating the less
fortunate as fellow human beings, we treat and describe them as things.
In short, those who do not meet our so-called social status are
‘thingified’. A number of our churches are not immune from the plague of
tribalism. Furthermore, churches have played a key role in the
maltreatment of young people accused of witchcraft. Senior ministers in
some of our churches have been involved in beating and torturing young
people who have been accused of witchcraft. The breakdown of marriages
has been on the ascendency with couples becoming less tolerant of each
other. As more people attend churches and church meetings nationwide,
the level of immorality in the land is also on the ascendency.
Despite the influence and access that the anointed men and women of
God have on the political class, they have refused to use their
influence to demand the required dividends of democracy from the
political leaders. Rather than use their clout to demand positive change
for the country, the theological elite have endorsed some of the
government’s unjust policies, which have impoverished millions of
Nigerians. Due to the apathy of the theological elite, Nigeria has
become hell on earth rather than heaven on earth for many Nigerians.
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The responsibility for practicing what is preached lies with the
congregation. It is therefore up to us the congregation to put into
practice what is preached provided what is preached is in line with the
Scriptures.
What should be practiced is not preached: The major culprits here
are the many men and women who stand in front of the congregation and
preach the Word of God. Ministers who are truly called by God should
preach what is in accordance with the Scriptures. Unfortunately, several
of our ministers have strayed away from the teachings of the Master and
have introduced another gospel that has the unintended consequence of
allowing the Nigerian society to negatively transform the Nigerian
church rather than allow the Nigerian church to positively transform the
Nigerian society.
The Nigerian church leadership has to a large extent placed
significant attention and focus on the prosperity, which has resulted in
an increase in materialism among Christians. As a result, many
Christians have become so money focused, money conscious and money
crazy. Money is now seen as an end to a means rather than a means to an
end, hence, people are willing to do anything necessary to justify the
end (money). It should therefore be of no surprise that very often, when
the roll call of people involved in corrupt activities in the country
is read out, the names of devoted Christians are often included on the
first page of that list.
culled from a For a Corruption-Free Nigeria!
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