El Salvador’s Archbishop Oscar Romeo once posed, “A church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch that real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed-what gospel is that?” I must contend with the fact that religion has undergone tremendous transformation since Jesus Christ saved us and ascended to heaven. However, Christianity, as compared to other religions, has witnessed the greatest change. I long for those old times that men of cloth used to give sermons that were meant to bring back lost sheep back to God. Times have indeed changed. The church has become a booming business to an extent that some people have called upon the government to impose tax on them since they are making profits just like any other business entity. Perhaps, it may help in footing the deficit in national.
The current generation is obsessed with money and wealth accumulation. People go to outrageous extent in pursuit of wealth. They, in turn forget the Giver of life and money becomes their god. Life has never been a bed of roses. In any case, God told Adam and Eve that they will have to toil to make ends meet. Problems experienced in life has made people hopeless, desperate and frustrated. This is the point where some of these rogue pastors take advantage to push the gospel of prosperity. These pastors package their sermons with gospel of prosperity-how one can get wealth or be prosperous. In return, the congregation pay handsomely for the pastor has prayed for him/her to be prosperous.
Nowadays, we have become accustomed to messages like “Tuma mbengu ya Ksh.5, 000 na utapata kupandishwa cheo ambayo umekuwa ukingoja kwa muda mrefu”. Who thought at one point in their lives that they will be buying miracles? Miracles are in this day and age being sold and the price depends on the nature of the problem. Some have gone ahead to choreograph the miracles so as to boost their credibility that they can indeed heal as a recent TV investigation revealed. What is more worrying is that the congregation has been brainwashed to an extent that they don’t leave the church event after the pastor of the church has been busted for conning them.
In addition to that, most of the gospels of artists have reinforced the sermons of prosperity by loading their music with lyrics focusing on opulence instead of promoting the glory of God. It is undeniably unfortunate that Gospel of Prosperity has taken over and the word of God has taken a back seat. It is my utmost prayer that that few left trying to bring back the lost souls to God to continue with their good work. Wealth is not a perquisite for entering the kingdom of God. There is more to life than wealth accumulation.
©Steve Osombah
