Discernment (5)
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
“For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:13-14).
It is another glorious day in the presence of God. May the provision of the joy of the Lord which is our strength become a reality in our lives in Jesus’ name! Amen. A fortnight ago, we began to focus on “Money” as a part of Satan’s deceitfulness, which must be discerned. Today’s focus shall be a continuation of the same.
It is indisputable that money is very essential for life. In fact, after all the natural resources of life such as air, water, land, plants and animals; money is about the most important, due to its roles. It is a medium of exchange and therefore almost indispensable. Notwithstanding, just as money has got its power, so it has got its limitations, especially when it comes to the sacred. In fact, one of the limitations of money is in its inability to be able to buy the gifts of God, even though many ministers now collect money to dispense the same; though at their own eternal peril. “20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Acts 8:20-21)
Over the years, Satan has made the Church to believe that money answers all things. The phrase “money answers all things” appears in the Bible, specifically in Ecclesiastes 10:19: “A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.” (NIV)This verse is part of a larger passage in Ecclesiastes where the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, reflects on life’s paradoxes and the role of wisdom, folly, and material resources.
The verse seems to highlight a practical reality about life in a material world: money can facilitate many things, like feasts, comfort, and solutions to earthly problems. It doesn’t imply spiritual or ultimate fulfillment but acknowledges the power of wealth in worldly affairs. The statement, though may reflect a pragmatic, even cynical observation of human dependency on money, but it doesn’t endorse it as the ultimate solution to all problems. The Bible, as a whole, contrasts material wealth with spiritual priorities. Other verses, such as 1 Timothy 6:10 (“The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”) and Matthew 6:24 (“You cannot serve both God and money”), caution against over-reliance on money or making it an idol.
It must be noted that while Ecclesiastes 10:19 acknowledges the utility of money in addressing earthly concerns, it is not a blanket endorsement that money solves everything. The broader biblical teaching emphasizes that true fulfillment and answers to life’s deepest questions come from God, not wealth.
From observation, it is discovered that the Gospel is never as expensive as we often imagine, but only made expensive by the human structures that we build around itl. These sometimes involve complex and expensive administrative systems, the erection of gigantic physical structures that require a lot of money to manage, running programs and embarking on mission activities that require a fortune, e.t.c. While these are not bad, yet they aren’t essential for the preaching of the Gospel. The Gospel is more of what we do and teach/preach.
Moreover, becoming genuinely born again requires no money; living a practical Christian life that influences the family members, staff in a workplace, and members of our host community requires no money. It is only the channels we often create for reaching out that require. Some of which are done just because we want to make a name for ourselves, not for genuine kingdom impact or the conversion of souls. In fact, some of these can be delegated to ministries specially called and divinely equipped to do,
So, the ministers must never think money answers all things; especially, sacred things. This, Satan has used to get many ministers entrapped and to change the lordship over them. It is no more strange that money has now become the motivation for most ministers do. This is nothing less than the worship of mammon. “No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
