I continue to wonder about what makes us want to just feel good. The vanity of life is palpable in the midst of people.
I was in a church where, hours on, we were just talking about recognising people, their contributions to the church at its 25th anniversary of that parish and ripping them off at the same time.
My husband quarrels with pentecostal churches because his theory is that they are making merchandise of their members. As much as I continue to query this stand on the basis of the fact that people get ripped off because they don’t use their critical sense and take their time to study the Bible. As much as the church I attend as a full fledged member is not perfect, the training in that church is for people to use their critical sense. It also does not mean that some people do not get sucked up into the emotional blackmail the leaders at times apply to whip people into line, but essentially, for the most part, you are encouraged to dig into the Bible yourself and learn to hear the voice of God directly.
However, sitting down in this church today and asking people to speak after their investiture was seemingly innocent to me at the beginning. Consequently, when the moderating priest started urging people to support the first awardee after he gave a pledge of N150K in this Tinubu economy, I was fazed.
A voluntary donation that is a free will offering is okay for me when the people willingly give it. However, virtually browbeating people into parting with their money and to come forward to support the man is a no-no for me. Throwing in a bit of emotions blackmail here and there, a proven strategy in religious settings, seems too much for me. Nonetheless, what can I say? I am just here to give support to the elderly woman who is being awarded Ezinne Omu-mu. I am sure I found it objectionable because I am not a member. Some of the awardees got more than a line of supporters falling over themselves to give their monetary support to their favoured awardee.
So, if it makes the persons involved feel good about the whole show, why not? Let us roll.
Sincerely though, I would wish we do more of developing critical thinking among our people than taking them on guild trips. I do religion deeply; but I prefer to do it with a critical mindset. That way, I refuse to get sucked into some mad practices that some religious leaders suck their members into. My account for how I live my life is to God alone. I will rather develop that mindset of thanksgiving, asking questions and being able to talk to Him directly. That is the relationship He wants with you and not the worship of fellow human beings like you.
Some now look for AI as companions (I read about that on LinkedIn yesterday); but having the company of the Holy Spirit will help you see what no AI can ever see. He said Jesus said the Holy Spirit will show you what is to come. AI can only show you what it had been fed with by human agents. Remember ‘garbage in, garbage out’?
Anyway, let me end this with the fact that God is real; but He gives and encourages you to give out of your love for Him. It is not meant to show off and prove any point to any body. That is why acceptable giving will continue to be a secret thing. It is the testimony that results from it that should be a public show — absolutely to God’s glory alone.
Shalom!
Lara Authe
#religion
#servingGod
#laraauthe
IYABODE OMOLARA AKEWO NWABUEZE 