A poor leader is never recognised
Mother Theresa once said that some people are so poor that the only thing they have is money. It is obvious that the system she was operating in was that of love, faith and hope, while the world order system is based on the almighty dollar.
Wherever you go people will tell you that ‘money talks’. Even in politics, not even a great manifesto and eloquence to attract the masses is enough if you don’t have a sizeable bank account or willing big-money donors. No wonder President Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney are competing to raise more money, because ultimately financial power will determine the political outcome.
In this world, a broke or poor leader is never recognised. Do you remember that great wise man who saved the city from destruction but wasn’t recognised because he was poor (Ecclesistes 9:14-16)? As the Bible puts it, the borrower is a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Maybe that is the reason why the IMF has no qualms about telling the sovereign states like Ireland to which it lends money to cut child benefit and reduce healthcare subsidies for the over-70s. Given that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable citizens of any society, you may well ask who could even suggest such a thing!
People are finding themselves taking desperate measures to overcome this modern-day depression. Even churches all over the world are engaged in fundraising in many different ways, which raises an important question of whether churches are morally or Biblically allowed to engage in gambling.
Staunch Christians may argue that if churches are allowed to partake in lotteries or gambling, even for charitable fundraising purposes, they will become casinos rather than houses of prayer. More liberal Christians might say that if some churches conduct raffles, they can also allow their congregations to play the lottery.
I don’t know what you think about this, but to me it seems a great debate. Truly speaking, there is a colossal challenge ahead for every church as the values of society are constantly changing. How many people still believe that sex before marriage is a sin? Or divorce? Homosexuality? Abortion? Euthanasia?
I believe that if you wish there to be a true definition of human rights based on the morals and ethics by which human life is sacred indeed, there is an answer for you. Whether you like it or not, there is a God whom you must worship and serve when you are still alive. Even if you are a humanist or an atheist, you still have a Creator to seek after more than you need money. You will have the security of eternal life if you repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Are you willing?
Pastor Thomas Baganineza is an ordained minister who has been pastoring for more than 10 years. He graduated from Global University and is currently a freelance columnist and writer.
thomasbaganineza@gmail.com
