02 Nov Problem and Solution 9

The Pastor in my friend Nneka’s church is always talking about tithes. He uses the Old Testament to tell people why they should give a percentage of their salary to the church. Many pastors in this country do that. They always tell us to go and read Deuteronomy.

But what did Jesus think of money? Remember that the teachings of Jesus are more important than the laws of the Old Testament. Otherwise there would be no point in being Christian. Christianity is about Jesus Christ.

If we read the story of Jesus Christ, he didn’t really approve of wealth or money. In fact, he seemed to prefer poverty.

Please read these verses:

Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”

Solution: Those pastors who keep telling us that wealth and God are linked should stop it. Just stop it. They should preach about honesty and kindness and forgiveness and being good to your neighbor and working for the wellbeing of your community. They should leave money out of it. They should tell government officials to stop stealing. They should stop acting as if the people who give more money are somehow more blessed and will get more blessings. And instead of always talking about Old Testament verses that tell us to give our money to the pastor, they should preach about the New Testament verses.