My son once said to me that if you want to curse a man give him a lot of money. I think that is wisdom and I think it is a very big problem in Zimbabwe today, particularly in the church. We, the church should be focusing on spiritual prosperity not material prosperity! If you look at the life of the Lord Jesus as he lived and walked on the earth, there was definitely no sign of material wealth and yet there was no lack either. There was enough! He did not worry about money but focused on His Father’s kingdom and everything else followed.
One of the reasons Christians in Zimbabwe are being drawn into the prosperity gospel, which is a false gospel, is their terrible material need. It is a deception and I would like to share a little testimony with you from the last 10 years.
I have been in business since 1980 in Harare. Since Zimbabwe’s 2000 referendum, like most other businesses, we witnessed a steady and drastic decline. There were days with no fuel (we are diesel based), ZESA, water, telephones, cash in the bank and no food in our shops.
There were 39 of us, desperate people, and a canteen where the company provided a hot lunch every day. I sometimes wonder how many, in total, were being supported by those employed. The scripture, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you,’ became a revelation and a reality to me.
Somehow there was always enough. Somehow there was always food for the canteen. Somehow there was always enough to carry on. It was hard but there was enough. I didn’t have to steal. I didn’t have to be corrupt. I didn’t have to panic. I had to trust God. I had to put Him first. I have drawn closer to Him, much closer. This is my wealth, my prosperity and my riches. This is eternal.
(Verenga Ruka 16:19-25; Mupfumi naRazaro)
Post published in: Faith