Perspective:-
Spirituality Business
NTK
‘God - men’ in God’s own country are in trouble! Kerala, the most literate state of India is called ‘God’s own country’. However, for the last few years many have come to believe that devil is in control there! The number of suicide, family disputes, frauds, cheatings, motor accidents and many other similar issues has marred the repute of this tiny state. The latest is the scam of the ‘god - men’!
It all started with the arrest of a Hindu priest Santhosh Madhavan for his various crimes. He is charged with fraud, rape, and illegal land dealings etc. The authorities were stunned to note that the spiritual organisation he initiated was only to make money illegally. That has opened a Pandora’s Box in the state. Few other god-men who were doing ‘spirituality’ business also have come under the scanner. The investigating officers have found that these men were collecting huge amount of money using spirituality. Now the government is checking all the religious organizations that have come up in Kerala. They have noticed a mushrooming of charitable trusts in the state; most of them are controlled by family members. Some Christian organizations also have come under scrutiny and found abnormalities. The investigations are going on.
How sad it is to notice that the communist government has to deal with the illegal activities of Christian groups! Authorities are worried about the rapidly increasing organizations but Christians are not! Government could find out the deception behind institutions controlled family members or close associates, but there were no Christians with discernment to notice that.
Today irrespective of religion or denomination, many so-called ‘god-men’ are selling spirituality. In the name of healing, prosperity, success, children’s future etc prayers are offered and demand money. They have learnt the skill to squeeze money form their followers/devotees. Many T.V programmes also conclude with an appeal for money. They promise manifold returns for their contributions. Without any shame many Christian ministers too copy it and merchandise the name of Christ. The aim behind many ministries, publications are dubious.
There was a time when God’s people were very much clear about the way the Lord’s work is being done and the Lord’s workers supported. It seems now, many do not know how a Christian ministry ought to be carried out and how to support the Lord’ workers. Is it not the reason why some establish ‘relief fund’ to support evangelists! Just recently another person who failed in many business ventures set up a Christian organization – to evangelize?! Many think that they can not survive with out a registered association.
If we follow the New Testament pattern strictly there would not be any confusion, deception will easily be discerned. It is the Lord who appoints His servants for His work and He provides them. The worker looks to the Lord alone for his needs and His God takes care of Him. Obedient and faithful Christians contribute to a servant of God being prompted by God Himself. That is the pattern the Brethren assemblies followed so far. But it seems today, many are ignorant of this truth.
Fred Cosin, an American missionary used to say something like this, “You do not give for a need, it is your need to give”. Yes, giving should not be on the basis of sympathy or pressure by certain influential people. We should give in God’s will to the place where God wants our money to be spent. It is our need to give out the Lord’s portion to accomplish His purposes, yet that should be done with care too. It is high time we need to examine the rapidly increasing societies and discourage the unscriptural practice of collecting money. Such carefulness will not only keep away deceitful gospel merchandisers, but will also meet the needs of those, who look to the Lord alone.
Special Article:- Public debates
Tom Johns, Detroit, USA.
We often hear news about public debates between Christians and people of other religions. I often wonder the purpose and outcome of such debates. I remember attending few of those in my lifetime. Lately I am not very fond of those. I am trying to see if my Christian zeal has lost its edge or are there any better reasons for this change in me.
Public debates satisfy our ego. We are in an arena where two sides fight to establish their strength over the other. It is like a wrestling match with no winning criteria established prior to the fight or qualified, impartial judges are present. Both parties may declare victory for their sides. Both can have a victory parade. So, invariably they satisfy the ego of the supporters.
Do these public debates produce new converts? May be, may be not. God can work through any situation and He can bring glory to His name through all. So, even such debates can produce positive results!
I lived in a small village in Kerala (India) where everyone knew each other. We knew each others lifestyle, religious affiliation, health concerns, jobs, family and to some extent their income level. My father was considered as a ‘learned’ man among his peers, and had initiated public debates against Catholic Priests, even to a limited extend to Hindu Pundits also. My father felt that he was able to refute every argument that the opponents brought out and I had heard such success stories.
There was a man from the Dalith (a particular group of people who are considered as the ‘working class’) background in our neighborhood, who formerly had some interests in the ‘Brethren movement’ but turned into a Jehovah’s (false) witness. My father never spared any public opportunity he had in discussing this man’s ‘new found faith’ and was able to expose the errors publicly.
After some years of such constant ‘pounding’ from my father this man refused to come through the area where he would think my father would possibly be. I was told by others in the village how he would avoid the area by taking alternate routes, giving other Christians of different denominations even, reasons to gloat over the victory. But the memory of this man, even after forty some years lingers around me.
I wondered how different it would have been for this man if my father indeed sat down with him and explained the gospel and the divinity of Jesus Christ in a private setting. I seriously doubt if we can communicate effectively through public debates. There might be some isolated incidents where such debates might be useful. But, we Christians should not make it as a tool for evangelism. Preaching against all the known religions does not produce converts. Preaching and sharing the gospel have historically achieved conversion possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Christians must not walk around with a ‘chip on their shoulder’ (a proud attitude). We need to be constantly aware that God indeed picked us up from the pit of sins and washed us and He made us His children. It is not our faith in Him; He provided the faith that is required. 2 Thess. 2:13 “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” Understanding this truth must make us less argumentative, and make us more excited to share the gospel even in a very passive way. After all, God the Holy Spirit is doing the work and we are just tools in His mighty arm.
I pray that our evangelists and preachers would focus primarily on sharing the gospel in a simple way. No one needs to declare from a platform what all religions are bad. They need to say what is true in light of the Bible. Let the Holy Spirit do the tugging and pulling. We need to start respecting other people and treat them with dignity. We need to speak the truth in love. Gently present the gospel, and start praying that the Spirit of God would start working.
We need to befriend non-Christians and deal with love. Start sharing in their sorrows and joys. If Jesus Christ ate with the sinners and declared that He came to save the sinners and as a physician to the sick, how can we walk around with a ‘chip on our shoulder’ and alienate others? Why do we beckon them for a debate or fight? Remember you or I cannot produce a convert – only God can. We are told to share the good news and answer their questions, but never fight with them. Let the Spirit of God do the fighting for us! To be continued...
Out line: -
Tears
- Tears of Faith. Mark. 9:24
- Tears of Devotion. Luke. 7:38
- Tears of Service. Acts. 20:19
- Tears of Sympathy. 2Timothy. 1:4
- Tears of Warning. Acts.20:31
Anecdote: -
Going to Our Treasure
A woman met a friend of her father’s who had not seen him for many years. The woman’s father was a devout Christian, so she found great joy in telling his old acquaintance about her dad’s trust in the Lord, and the way he faced suffering, trial, and even the prospect of death.
The friend, however, had lived a different kind of life. Having given himself over completely to earning money and hoarding every penny he could, he had become very wealthy. But he didn’t have the same glad anticipation of the future as his friend did. He explained it to the daughter in this way, “your father can be more optimistic about heaven than I for a very simple reason. I’ll be leaving mine!”
News & Views:- 1
People with high IQs, likely to deny God!
According to a new study, people with higher intelligence quotients are less likely to believe in God because they have questioning minds. Researchers say that fewer academics believe in God than the general population. They found that primary school children believe in God but as they entered adolescence a large number of them started to have doubts.
But critics have flayed the study results saying “linking religious belief and intelligence in this way could reflect a dangerous trend, developing a simplistic characterization of religion as primitive”.
It is not a hidden fact that there are numerous men with higher IQ, believe in God and work for Him. Questioning mind is not necessarily a doubting mind. Inquiring is good to search and go to the depth. But that does not make one an atheist. Alas, the god of this world has blinded the eyes of some learned men. Bible says it is the fool who say that there is no God.
News & Views:-2
Pastors Pray for ‘promised land’
Recently there were political rallies demanding a separate state called ‘Gorkhaland’in the northern part of West Bengal, India. Now, a report says that much before the agitation began Pastors from various churches there, used to conduct “interdenominational Warfare Prayer” for a separate state. According to the report they keep a map of the ‘Gorkahland’ and pray over it.
Quite often Hindu extremists, while attacking Christian workers in different part of India point out the condition of North Eastern states. They argue that it is because of the evangelistic works and the higher number of Christians in North Eastern states, they have many separatist groups, who fight with the Indian forces.
Surely the latest developments will give ammunition to such fanatics to harass Christians more vigorously. The Lord said my kingdom is not of this world. Christian believers are not supposed to be involved in such separatists’ outfits. We are exhorted to pray for the rulers and abide by the land of the law.
Worthy Quotes:-
Giving
“We make a living by what we get. But we make a life by what we give.” ----Winston Churchil “Nothing is really ours until we share it.” -----C.S. Lewis “The hand that gives, gathers.” ----Proverb
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