CHRISTIANITY: A WAY OF LIFE OR BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

By Iloh Mmesoma

Christianity is one of the most wildly recognized religions in the world, characterized with unconditional love and self contentment deriving its roots from the model of the faith, Jesus Christ. The origin of Christianity can be traced to the early church consisting of people who were dedicated to communal living and displayed Christ-like characterization. They lived together in one accord and even sold their possessions to satisfy the societal needs of all.

 All over the world Christianity has about 2.4 billion followers and has been described as the second world’s fastest growing religion.

The gospel of salvation is seen as the central theme of Christianity but having a glance today, an evident illegal footprint has trodden down the paths of the religion. Christians today has been held back by the chains and shackles of financial gratification and incessant quest for materialistic acquisition. This has however gripped the body of Christianity and thus poses an inherent threat to the future to the religion.

The conversion of Churches into business and profitable ventures is now a major factor militating the spiritual growth of Christians of today. Churches are now been established in every nook and cranny while the moral and spiritual biblical principles behind the establishment of this institution has been erased. People no longer see churches as a place for seeking God but an avenue of fattening their pocket and seeking miracles.

The So called “men of God” now manipulate the scriptures to fit their vicious acts and brainwash their congregation into believing that their prayers cannot be answered except they attach their supplications with a token or “seed” as fondly called. This has left the question of whether Christianity is a religion or commercial venture.

Ignorance and impatience have remained the major reason for the wild spread of this unpleasant act. Many Christians today have been deceived due to the ignorance of some scriptural life guiding truths, reason being their downright attitude to the study and digestion of the Bible and unending desire for prosperity rather than researching into the source of the prosperity and principle guiding it.

People who are faced with problems and want quick solutions result to moving from one church to another and in the process fall into dubious hands who more or less add to their existing problem.

Most Christians have been misled by false prophets through miracles and signs of which they are heavily billed in other to receive theirs but all resulting to no avail. Miracle is now a basis on which people attend churches not minding if the minister is genuine or not. The lack of the knowledge that miracle is not a sign that God is with a man but an evidence that God honours faith wherever he finds it has rendered so many Christians displaced.

Preachers now sell handkerchiefs ,olive oil, bottled waters amongst other materials all in the name of they are ‘anointed’ making ignorant souls purchase them innocently only to still be faced with the same problem it claims to solve or even worse. Messages of prosperity are now the threshold of ministers forgetting the major call of Christianity which is salvation derived from faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 Also the issue of ministers telling their church members the least amount they can drop as their offering however asks the question of where freewill of giving that characterized the early Christians lie.

This unpleasant act can however be curbed if organizations set to govern the affairs of Christian establishments carryout proper checks and tackle the problem from its root. Christians on their own part should be careful on the kind of churches they attend and the activities carried out there so as not to be carried away by false doctrines and miracles.

Those in the ministry should also be spiritually alert in other to know those with these tendencies and expose them in other to save the lives of so many ignorant people. “So called ministers of God” who are imposter should deviate from this ungodly act in other to avoid meeting their waterloo.