FUNKE ADETUTU
I would have loved to title my piece this week Life is about choices II as a sequel to the first one I did some weeks ago. Giving it this title will also mean I succumb to the thinking of Olawale Ayetolu, one of the ardent readers of this column who also scanned this page and sent it as an attachment to his comment as a proof of his loyalty to the views I share on this page. “Your story today is very interesting, writes Olawale, except that it looks as if you were asked to encourage wasteful spending of church money to better the life of church leaders. I will not be surprise if by next week, you write ‘Life is about choices phase two’ and you equally paint good the acquisition of jets by bank executives at a time when the whole world is being prudent with the way they spend.”
It seems Olawale has refused to see reasons with and perhaps does not understand my position on this issue. When I wrote that life is about choices, so, I wasn’t; and still not trying to encourage church leaders to squander or embezzle church fund. All I was trying to say is that as church goers, we have a choice to put down our offerings or tithes in the baskets being passed round.
But then, there is also the issue of faith as dictated by the tenets of any religion. As individuals, we also have a choice to believe what the holy book says, in particular to giving tithes and offering. The law backing tithes and offering is based on the popular book in the Bible, Malachi chapter three which admonishes Christians to give tithes and offering with a promise of increase. Hence, if the Bible says give, then we must give without questioning what anybody does with the money. The instruction ends with ‘give’ not for the individual to begin to inquire what the church does with the money. Of course, there is no right thinking church that would want to embezzle God’s money. After giving, the giver should hand over to God completely; it is left for God to punish accordingly if the money is misused. Let’s not forget that we serve a God who knows all things and says vengeance is His.
In fact, some Biblical figures like David believe strongly in giving to God, hence he clearly stated that he would not give to God an offering that costs him nothing; even Abraham, the world-acclaimed father of faith gave Melchidezek, ten percent of the spoils of war. He never bothered himself what the High Priest was going to do with what he had given him. He just gave Melchidezek, the ten percent tithe and went his way. Hence, whatever, Melchidezek did with the tithe was his problem and not Abrahams.’
I still maintain that we should wait for Pastor Adeboye’s comment. We can’t crucify the poor man even before he speaks. Let’s just wait to hear from him.
I’m glad I did this piece anyway and I’m excited to have received all the different arguments and comments that have trailed “Life is about choices.” Trust me, some of them I have decided to publish as they were sent in. Excerpts:
“I just finished reading your column in Business Day. I also oppose the purchase of the jet because it is coming at the time when people/church members are struggling for survival. It is true Oyedepo has a private jet, but Living Faith does not have the type of churches that Redeem has in the name of expansion. Look, 4 billion naira is a lot of money. Sunday Mirror of last week reported that the operation cost is 5000dollars per hour when in use. If 1billion is spent on the camp to upgrade facilities, members will be willing to do more. Whether its church money or not, it will dampen the spirit of people as most people, especially bankers are only praying for their jobs not to be affected as the global meltdown is heating up on us in Nigeria. Rumours have it that Apapa family (a parish under Apapa) contributed 70 million naira. Directly or indirectly, the common man is affected with the purchase of the jet. Look, some parish can not even pay their rent. If this money was channelled into building a better church for worshippers, it will go along way or 1 billion is used to construct another access road to the camp, this will have immediate and direct impact on all and sundry as traffic will be reduced along the Ibadan express road. Lastly, the church can do better by giving scholarship to helpless members in Redeemers University. I ask how many active members can conveniently send their wards to local universities, less private university. I beg am not happy about the purchase. Please confirm if it is a rumour or reality?
---- Olumutimi Oyejide
I think your article in Business Day is particularly interesting. The fact is that a large majority of Nigerians have had their thinking so constricted and coloured by the poverty, mediocrity and 'smallness' in our environment that their minds can hardly conceive anything 'great', 'ground-breaking' or extraordinary. It's no surprise (though unfortunate) that most people around here never amount to anything significant in life beyond barely getting along. Kenneth E. Hagin in 1981, gave out a jet and a Cadillac limousine as gifts to a ministry. Years after, Kenneth Copeland bought and gave him (a private jet to Kenneth Hagin). These things are not unusual. How many multinational corporations have grown out of Nigeria? In which industries /sectors do we have any strong presence even in Africa? What particular discipline or skill sets are we recognised for? Yet, a Nigerian based solely on account of his character and contribution is recognized as one of the 50 most influential people alive. Pastor Enoch Adeboye has paid the price for greatness, has been acknowledged as such and it should come as no surprise that he has (personal or official) one of the things a great man with his level of impact and contribution to society (whether in business, agriculture or ministry) can reasonably expect to have. Let's challenge those who think he has got too much to impact their own small constituency (their homes, their neighbourhood, their schools) in the same way. Let them go the extra mile, let them pay the price. Then they can criticise others.
---- David Adeoye, Skye Bank Plc.
As usual, I find your column today quite interesting. I think you may have picked on a highly emotional issue despite your claim that no emotions are involved here. It may also be hasty since Pastor Adeboye has not really come out to confirm or deny the fact that he bought a jet or how much was spent on it. As a man of God, he should be seen to be above reproach and I believe it will be proper if he comes out to state if he actually bought a jet, and how much? The source of the funds and most importantly, why he needs a jet...without these explanations... it may be too hasty to speak against or for this position. Personally, I understand while a man needs a car in Lagos, I understand and sympathise with the fact that a bank's CEO needs a jet in Nigeria… but am not too sure why a man of God needs to jet around in a jet...unless, I understand the issues involved... that is why Adeboye owes us some preaching on "Jets and Pastors.” It may help us on the road to salvation...
---- K.K Brown
Nice article here, but it's somehow hard for me to pass any comment on this because I have so much respect for this man of God and I still find it hard to believe he actually purchased a jet but if he did, then I think it's for a good reason. I know him to be a very humble person but to be realistic, he has paid his dues and if he feels having a private jet is what he has dreamt of all his life, then who wouldn't want to see the actualisation of his dream? He has done so much for the church, so it's not a question of embezzlement, at least, it will be used for ministration.
---- Olawale
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