Nigeria and Mammon, the God of Money

Greetings to all our friends and readers of PTL News over there.
We have no cause but to thank the Almighty God once again for counting us worthy to see the second month of the year. As we live most especially as Nigerians we cannot but continue to cast our minds to those developments around us, most especially the ugly ones.
This year alone we have been inundated with gory tales of killings most especially for ritual and money making purposes, which also caps the already known wanton killings for no reasons but for mere banditry, hatred and needless religious bigotry.
For these reasons, there are palpable fears all over places, mothers conniving with child to kill another child for money, friends planning against friends, boys against friends, child against parents and the likes, with the worrisome trend that no particular group is left out; teenagers, adults, young and old are both perpetrators and victims. In some cases religious leaders, pastors and imams are not left out.
One wonders how we have got to this level as a people.
In one breath, Nigeria is reckoned with to be a religious, godly or God fearing nation. But do these satanic echoes we receive from unexpected quarters indicate that we know God lest we fear Him?
It is time Nigeria began a kind of soul searching and inward looking thinking. We should fast think of ways to disengage ourselves from this moral lactitude.
Looking into this pitiable situation one may be tempted to ask about who are responsible and what we can do to wash ourselves clean as a people.
Our leaders, most especially our political leaders have grossly failed us all in this perspective. It is even in doubt if our laws are respected in putting a stop to this evil in the land.
In this regard, we can know how serious our governments at all levels are when it comes to administration of justice to stop evil doers in the land.
One thing that can point to this is to ask about how many people have been condemned by our judicial system when it comes to perpetration of evil across board. Many of these evils enjoy the backings of the powerful and influential in the land –politicians, government officials, law enforcement agencies, even pastors and imams and their relatives.
One other reason behind this is the way we have elevated mammon, the god of money above all moral virtues. It is only the rich that is respected in our society today. If you want to attend Church these days you must be well cash loaded to earn the pastor’s respect. I understand same goes on in the mosques. If you are not financially strong, you cannot try a dash in our political terrain again. Only the rich is known, recognised and celebrated.
Little wonder that the language everybody understands, and the song they sing is all about money. It’s money, money and money. It begins with money and it ends with money.
In effect, brothers are ready to sell each other for money, parents sell children for money, children are also ready to use parents to make money, same for husband and wife, and vice versa.
Somebody once asked if there is a way our religious leaders can help march Nigeria out of this money making morass. Another retorted, “don’t go there.” Why? Because many of them are chief promoters of the god of money.
In most cases, small denominations of our currency are always first condemned from the Church and the mosque, it is the place where the poor and the less privileged are easily mocked, mostly in their prayer requests and their songs. The situation is even worsened whereby pastors dictate what should be used as offerings, donations and gifts in the house of God. The effect of this is that many people are left in open shame when they cannot meet the pastor’s requests and financial expectations. Why many may not go back to that Church again, it has denied them the opportunity to hear and gain from the message of the gospel, as they would equally go out to make money by all means.
As things are now, we need to go back to the good days of moral values and virtues. We believe our pastors and religious leaders have a major role to play in this. They should condemn blood money and discourage an attitude of calling on people to make money by all means.
They should let their congregation and the larger society know that “the love of money is the root of all evils,” 1Timothy 6:10,

9. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11. But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.… (Berean Study Bible)
    
    

Pastors should also begin again the gospel of “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ” (Mark 8:35).
Our messages should centre on how to make good names, live a holy, descent and contented life, and make heaven.
The government should not also fail in making sure that the hand of the law firmly catches the perpetrators of evil in the land, and no one should be above the law of the land. Every culprit must be made to face the consequences of their action.
It is only when we live a decent life that we can earn our respect both locally and internationally. Nobody will respect us when we don’t respect ourselves.
Well, those who are praying should not relent in praying fervently for Nigeria, while our prayers should be “It shall be well with Nigeria,” at all times.
Let me say this before closing this piece. The entire world is going if it has not gone totally global. PTL News has no choice but to join the moving wave. Just as we have earlier informed you that we are determined to fly this year, you will continue to see more of us online in the nearest future. So we encourage you to meet us regularly, every time, everyday and every moment online via our website www.ptlnewsng.com.ng. Visit it, open and read the stories, share, recommend and participate fully in it. It is meant for all of us.
Thank you for keeping faith with PTL News, God bless you richly. Praise The Lord.

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