Spread the Word not poverty

EDITOR — It is undeniable that some latter day “prophets” have gone commercial, demanding as much as $300 or more for a one-on-one session with the so-called men of God.

Evangelism and spreading the Good News (Gospel) now falls under any other business. Those with shallow pockets are finding it difficult to keep up with church demands on offerings and “seeding”. Only the wellheeled are now considered friends (partners) of the church on account of their generous contributions towards the “holy purse”.

Gone are the days when the needy would find solace and almost tangible hope in churches. Today the poor are always at the receiving end of the prophet’s sermons, being castigated for not “giving” or donating towards the church.

The sermons are now pregnant with veiled threats of great suffering and excommunication if one does not pay more money.

For a divine consultation with the prophet, one must fork out about $300 or more to receive a “blessing and prophecy” from the man of God.

The practice is rife in Pentecostal churches where the young and charismatic “prophets” have become “super-rich” through usurious fellowship with the majority poor.

The Word is twisted to induce fear into the people so they can loosen their purse strings and pour out the little they hold dear.

No wonder some prophets are being dragged to the courts for fraud and sexual immorality. Spread the Word, not poverty. Give to the poor and don’t take from them. Tondorindo Murisa Chinehasha.