THIS week we take a look at, and express concern over, the works of some of the prophets operating in the country.
For the record, we have no gripe with the men and women of the cloth.
But some of us are concerned and alarmed at what is happening in the spiritual kingdom.
We too have read the Great Book and are familiar with the teachings of the Great Teacher and what we are witnessing today is far removed from what He teaches.
It seems there is an increase in preying on the weak and desperate.
The number of people crying foul after losing their property and the little they had after being promised much more if they gave all they had is on the rise.
Spiritually and in the physical realm, many have been left poorer than before.
And many are suffering quietly out of shame and fear of ridicule having been warned to be wary of the superstar prophets who promised them paradise on earth but never delivered.
Most disturbing is how these prophets and prophetesses have replaced biological parents of their followers.
The Great Teacher exhorts people to respect their fathers and mothers, for doing so is said to increase one’s days on this planet.
But when the prophets do not mind and warn their flocks against the dangers of abandonment of parents by followers, do they want them to have fewer days on this planet?
These prophets are ‘huge’ with egos to match, they are unapologetic and unashamedly flaunt their wealth; they boast they are children of God and are highly favoured.
But it appears it is only them who have the favour of the Almighty and not the rest of their followers.
Only a handful of followers will share in the spoils arising from ‘prophetic’ adventure.
The handful are meant to inspire the rest of the congregation to give some more and not tire; they are the evidence that eventually, they too will attain a slice of paradise.
It is a sad spectacle that we are witnessing.
Some want to blame the followers.
True, no prophet is putting his/her hand into anyone’s pocket.
But these prophets’ silver tongues have done more harm than good, they are more lethal than their hands.
We appreciate that these new churches need resources to build infrastructure and set up systems for the continued growth of the organisations.
But how much of this money is being used to grow the churches, how much is being channeled to evangelism?
Besides the one super structure that these prophets build, are they setting up and building churches all over the country so that congregants are not encumbered with the burden of parting with money that is said to go towards rentals every month.
We appreciate the gospel of prosperity, we all want to be successful and accumulate wealth but when it becomes the supreme to the exclusion and consideration of everything, then there is a big problem.
Isn’t the word chiefly about salvation and preparation for eternal life?
The Great Book teaches about compassion, love, mercy and redemption.
But it seems the prophets are concerned with the accumulation of wealth.
Again we state that we have no problems with the men and women of cloth but what worries us is the abuse of people in the name of God.
It is not so very long ago that men came in robes with Bible in hand and left us impoverished.