SCRIPTURAL READING : Amos 3:1-8: 1 Tim 6:10: Lk 8:5-15; 18: 1 Pet 5:2: Ps 50:7: 1Tim 4:1: Tit 1:16: Rev 1:3; 3:2; 22:14:
Salutations beloved brethren in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Give me your undivided attention, for there are critical things which we need to explain very well.
Dear brethren, There is a curse that follows those who rob God in tithes and offerings ( Mal 3:8-12). See? And there is a curse that follows those who steal money or funds through dubious ways! ( Zech 5:3: 1 Th 4:6: Mk 10:17: 2 Cor 7:2: Lev 19:13). See?
Our focus is on the second category. They have deceived the so-called' sponsors' with their hard earned savings for what should have been the right cause but have been misapproriated to serve only personal interests and syndicates. We are examining the situation among Endtime Message believers in the Ugandan context. The word of God mandates us to carry self- examination in matters of the faith!( 2 Cor 13:5). See? The Bible has warned us of men who have crept in among us and have changed the grace of God to do evil works! ( Jude 4). See?
THE HORRIBLE SITUATION AMONG THE MESSAGE BELIEVERS:
Dear brethren, it is shocking to describe the unprecedented moral decay and dishonesty that has happened among some of our dear believers in the Endtime Message! The conditions seem to be very alarming the world over, but specifically in Uganda! The Spirit of God has been watching and monitoring the secret deals and, as the Tutor given by God to his elect, is mandated to report the situation to the Father. ( Gal 4: 1-6). See? We also know that the church is governed by the Holyspirit. He is the government of God in His church. The message of the hour teaches us that! Exactly! Let us look at some aspects:
INFORMAL AND SURVIVAL DRIVEN SYSTEMS:
If you look at some of our churches located either in cities or villages, the setup in most cases is casual and lackadaisical. They tend to lack the seriousness that a true work of God really demands!
In most cases, the foundation of many churches is driven by survival motives rather than to foster the genuine purpose of spreading the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! ( 1 Cor 9:16). See? In any case, since evangelism was neglected by many preachers, you certainly have to question the methods by which some of their churches were established. The common one is the struggle for leadership positions in church. This often leads to splits and divisions, which have become generally a fashion and a phenomenon characteristic of many churches in the Endtime Message! ( 1 Cor 11:18; 1:11,12: Gal 5:20: Rom 16:17,18). See?
LEADERSHIP MOTIVATED BY SURVIVAL RATHER THAN DIVINE ASSIGNMENT:
We all know that a God called and God ordained minister should keep focused on his divine assignment. Right? Take the case of Timothy, what apostle Paul instructed him, as his son in the gospel: This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck ( 1Tim 1: 18,19). See? He exhorted him to hold faith or the faith in good conscience, lest he gets into shipwreck. See?
But, what are we witnessing among many ministers in the endtime message churches? Leadership is generally motivated by self-preservation and ministerial survival. Until, it has become a bunch of people chasing for money, wealth and riches, lavish lifestyles, and mere relevance in the ministry!
Indeed, it is a typical case of seeds that fell on thorns. After they heard of the seed word ( the message), they got choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life and brought no fruit to perfection ( Lk 8: 14: ). The Bible teaches that, break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns( Jer 4:3). See?
Remember, our Lord Jesus gave this stern warning on this same matter, especially to those who are looking for his second coming; which the Message believers expect his return to meet him in the rapture. He said: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.( Lk 21:34). This warning is really directed to us, the message believers! Isn't it so?
PARTNERSHIP:
First and foremost, we need to state here clearly that partnership or collaboration in the work of God is highly recommended by the word of God. Apostle Paul wrote explicitly: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.( 1 Cor 3:9). Another word for labourers is God's fellow workers. So partnerships can be built around the work of God, within the faithful believers to address specific financial challenges in the ministry. They can be structured to address not only the financial challenges in the work of God but also for mutual benefit to tap the blessings of God!
Indeed, they are much more needed in enhancing the missionary program of God, especially in the aspect of evangelism, which requires support of a substantial amount of financial and other resources. See? Indeed, you can have partnerships which are healthy and godly. They can be established based on godly vision as led by the Holyspirit ( Prov 29:18).Right!
Notice! To make partnerships work well, aspects such as order, structures, legal process, legitimacy, mutually agreed ratios or percentages of proceeds,to meet specific needs of the ministry, and well defined accountability procedures , among others should first be put in place or worked out. See? At all times, the values of trust, and faithfulness and the love and the fear of God should be emphasised. ( Lk 16:10-12). See?
Notice! In contrast to healthy and godly partnerships, there are also perverted ones, counterfeits which are established with evil motives and dubious systems. It is important that we be aware of them and avoid them.
It is written! When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.( Psa 50:18: Job 5:5: Psa 119:61: Prov 21:7). Robbers often are organised in bands to rob, banks and homes, and so forth. Right?
And how many of you have heard of the Mafias , even in government? They are organised criminals who operate in secretive systems and conspiracies. See? The word of God certainly pinpoints their evil and criminal activities in dubious deals and money laundering! They certainly form cartels of endemic corruption in both government and private sectors and a cause of retardation and hindrance to the development of nations such as Uganda.
Now watch! This is where we have a big problem! The Spirit has witnessed similar evil deeds amongst some ministers in the endtime message churches. There is now a new language of percentages and distribution of illicit money among cronies. It is a typical case of craving for filthy lucre! ( 1Pet 5:2: 1 Tim 3:3: Tit 1:7,8). See? This distribution exposes a culture of shared benefits, commissions, and internal deals. Rewards are evidently flowing without any sense of discipline, labor, and accountability. See? This highlights the danger of entitlement, ministerial dependency, and obviously faith, which has been compromised to look like a godly church culture! Hmmm!
Now notice! How can one act in this way while claiming to be a message believer ? This should alert us to aspects of moral and spiritual accountability. See? It shows us that there is a dichotomy between confession and conduct. You are saying you are a message believer, but where are your practical standards of integrity, order, and holiness? ( Tit 2:12-14: Heb 12: 14-17). See?
HIGHER REVELATION REQUIRES HIGHER RESPONSIBILITY:
Apparently, the majority of Message believers, believe with different interpretations ofcourse, that, with the "opening"of the word, By revelation of "mysteries" in the "seven seals", it ushered in, " the Third pull" phase of brother Branham's ministry. This was round about the year 1963. So, alright, the hidden truth has been revealed to us in the word of God, the Bible. ( Rev 5: 1-7; 6:1-8; 10:1,2: Deut 29:29). See? It pleased our gracious Lord God to give the revelation to his humble servant and gentile Prophet William Marrion Branham, who came with anointing of the Spirit of Elijah upon him( Mal 4: 5,6; Matt 17:10,11: Acts 3: 21: Joel 2:25). He had a message of restoration of the hearts of the children ( the elect bride of Christ) back to the faith of their apostolic fathers.( Acts 2:42: Eph 4:5: Jude 3). Is that right?
Now, the million dollar question then is: how can we possibly compromise our morals and values of integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability given such a higher revelation of the word of God which we have received and it is committed into our hands to keep it!( Jn 14:15: Jam 1:22: 1 Jn 2: 3-5). See?
Dear friends, let it be categorically stated here that this is a shame to us! It has brought shame to our nation. And those of you who are caught up in this mess need to repent and depart from iniquity! ( 2 Tim 2: 19). Yes, Sir!
HIDDING EVERYTHING!
Listen to this! Some of you have fallen into temptation to hide everything! Indeed, when your wife is pregnant, you close everything! And yet you are stubbornly praying!!!!! It sounds like the fellow who decided to hide his talent on earth, in the parable of the talents! ( Matt 25: 24-30). Remember, he lost it all at the end of the road as he was counted by the Lord as an unprofitable servant! See? What about us?
SERIOUS TEST:
Dear brethren, it is quite evident that the endtime message believers are under a serious test ! We all know that all denominations in Christianity today failed to stand by the word of God and eventually slid into total darkness of sin, wickedness, and form of godliness ( 2 Tim 3:1-5). They ended up with a horrible disease of what the Prophet called " Spiritual Amnesia." ( WMB: 64-0411: SPIRITUAL AMNESIA). See? Many message believers, too, on the other hand, unfortunately, have departed from the faith! ( 1 Tim 4:1). The test is the same: The word test! ( Jn 8:47). Your conduct and characters testify whether you believe it or not. Leave alone walking in sound doctrine ( 1 Tim 1:3: 2 Tim 4: 3). See?
In summary : It is written! Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.( Amos 3:1,2).
And apostle Paul wrote to Titus thus: They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.( Tit 1:16).
Apostle John wrote: He who that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him "( 1 Jn 2: 4). See?
The bottom line is : how can one who believes the Message of the hour freely indulge in sin and iniquity? This applies to all aspects of our Christian life, and the way we look at money and the process of handling it in our church organisations is no exception!
There is an urgent need to establish in place, order, and a legal process, have legitimacy, and have the right structures in our churches. It is very important to provide timely accountability to improve the way money and other resources are utilised for the Kingdom and the glory of God. You can have partnerships which are healthy and godly . Avoid, the Mafias style of criminal activities! They are destructive and will land you in trouble. See? You can learn from those who are trying to do the right things in the right way.
Remember, it cuts across all works of God, including evangelism. But above all, the moral principle by the Bible is that godliness with contentment is great gain( 1 Tim 6:6). For the love of money is the root of all evil ( 1Tim 6:10). You must tame your appetite for earthly things!( Phi 3: 19). It is so destructive! Right!
Dear brethren, with this in mind, it pays to ever remember that we should never take the love of God and his abundant mercy and grace for choosing us ( like he did the nation of Israel among other nations) lightly or for granted! Like the denominations who left God's word and forgot who they are before God, there's a redline being written on our portals, too: " a horrible disease called, " Spiritual Amnesia!". What is it?
We should never forget from where God brought us from, and who we are, and the high calling which we have in Christ, according to the Message of the hour! Adjust your moral life and what looks like unquenchable lust for money, wealth, and riches. The Holy Spirit dwelling in you should be able to help you to do that. See? You need to have a revelation of God's sure provision for all your life and ministry needs here on earth as you focus to serve him and his Kingdom. Trust in him, and lay hold of eternal life. ( 1 Tim 6: 17, 19).
Indeed, more resources should be committed to the work of God, especially evangelism. See? Remember, if you can't live by it, then it is better to stay away from it! Let your confession be matched by your daily conduct in your life for the honour and glory of God! Watch!
May God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. Selah. ( Psa 67:1). Amen.
The grace of our loving Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you . Amen . One more soul . We work till Jesus comes .
He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ( Rev 3:22).
Pastor Charles Obwoon
