Vol. 16.10.22
Introduction
Welcome! This year, Nigeria celebrates 56 years if independence. We
give God all the glory for what He has done, He is doing, He will do and He
will not do. Without doubt, corruption has become a dangerous trend spreading
like a malignant cancerous cells through various sectors of the nation. In this
collection of articles from seasoned and graced authors, we examine how the
church can help facilitate a corrupt free Nigeria through a multifactorial
approach.
Nevertheless, to have a corrupt free Nigeria, it begins with you!
Have a splendid time reading and don’t miss the important lessons
God bless you mightily
Ogunsuyi Opeyemi B.
Editor-in-Chief
Emphasis on Hard work is often downplayed in our society today. Unfortunately,
this has found its way into the body of Christ. Every one of us want our status
to change for better but few are willing to pay the price for required. At this
point, some pertinent questions need to be asked.
What is the position of the scripture on hard work?
Is there a part we have to play to bring to pass our expectations?
Work reveals our nature. Work is to be done in quality and
quantity. We live in a leisure loving society. The desire to leave at ease and
in pleasure appeals a lot to youths of today who see hard work as being
synonymous to punishment. Some even pity those who work hard believing that
they are on a self-inflicting journey of needless pain. Some Christians believe
working hard is a sign of a curse. Some even believe that fasting and praying
is a substitute for hard work. What then
is the scriptures' position about work?
God
commissioned man to do it:
Genesis 2:15-God
put man in the garden to tend the garden.
Colossians 3:23-25 (NLT)
says, ‘Work willingly at whatever you do,
as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that
the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you
are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for
the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.’
God
recommends it:
Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)
says, ‘All hard work brings a profit, but
mere talk leads only to poverty.’ Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV) says, ‘Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no
commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and
gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When
will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little
folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and
scarcity like an armed man.’
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) says,
‘whatever your hand finds to do, do it
with all your might………’
A strong work ethic is confirmed, with warnings concerning
slackness.
In
the New Testament. The early disciples practiced it.
2 Thessalonian. 3:10 (KJV) ‘For even when we were with you, this we
commanded you, that If any would not work, neither should he eat.’ that is,
the refusal of an able-bodied man to work should have the consequence that he
lacks food. Apostle Paul also says (verse 6) that an idle
man who refuses to work should not be part of the church. Apostle Paul and his
companions set a good example of hard work: …….We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food
without paying…….. (verse 7-8)
For us to stand out in our offices and business places, we should
follow: Colossians 3:23-25 (NLT) which says, ‘Work willingly at whatever you do, as
though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the
Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are
serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the
wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.’
For us to reach the pinnacle of our career we must be ready to
work not only by men's standard Joshua had a successful ministry but by Gods
standard there was still work for him to do (Joshua 13:1).
Obstacles
to hard work:
The number one obstacle to hard work is procrastination, no
scripture explains this better than Proverbs 24:30-34.
Putting off what can be done now till tomorrow. Proverbs 6:6-10.
We should imbibe the culture of hard work knowing that there is no short cut to
success without hard work. Let's work enthusiastically partnering with God to
reach our desired height in life.
2. How the Church Can Help ‘Cure’ Corruption in Nigeria // By:
Akinwunmi Emmanuel (e1akinpelu@gmail.com)
Corruption is Nigeria's greatest challenge. It is clear to every
citizen that the level of corruption in the country is high. It's found in
every sectors of society, be it a small or big sector, there is every
possibility of observing corrupt practices when critically examined (Uzochukwu
2016). But the church has some crucial roles to play in curing corruption in
this nation, some of which are:
The church can help in teaching against greediness. Greediness has
caused a lot of crises in the world today, most especially in Nigeria. It is
because of greed that political leaders embezzle funds for national development
to satisfy their own selfish needs. Some
of the things the church needs to do to cure greediness are: sound teaching
against greediness, organizing seminars for group of leaders against
greediness.
The church can help in empowering the youth. Poor youth
empowerment is a contributor to corruption. Internet fraud, illegal businesses,
sex hawking (prostitution) and other bad acts are because Nigerian youths lack
empowerment. The church can also help in empowering the youths both financially
and morally, this as well can cure corruption among the youth. There is an adage
that says ‘an idle hand is the devil's workshop’.
The church can help in eradicating poverty. According to
international standards of poverty, a person is said to be poor when he lives
under $1.25 per day. There are many poor people in Nigeria, and poverty pushes
them into corruption. According to World Bank Group, in 2004, 63.1% of
Nigerians were poor. The poverty level increased in 2010. In 2010, 68% of the
Nigerian population was estimated to be poor. A person can take bribes to
commit crime because he is poor. The church needs to raise a wealthy
congregation by supernatural principles of divine blessing.
The church can help in creating job opportunities. Unemployment is
one of the major challenges in Nigeria and does not need much explanation
because it has broken the hearts of many citizens. People are pushed into
corrupt practice because of the high rate of unemployment. An unemployed
citizen can indulge in corruption to make money and live better. People are
seriously lamenting on the negative impact of unemployment in the nation. Some
say that it is better for death to take their lives than to suffer under the
torment of unemployment in the country. Words cannot explain the level of
punishment the citizens of this country are as a result of this menace. So the
church in their own capacity can create some job opportunities, such as
establishment of schools, hospitals, business organizations etc.
The church can help in funding of schools. The church can set up
skill acquisition programme in some of the schools and this will go a long way
to propel the government to develop all the schools in Nigeria. When more
attention is paid to the tertiary institutions in the country, it will produce
graduates who are employable. Provision of the necessary infrastructures needed
in tertiary institutions will help Nigerian graduates acquire skills and use
them to generate income, even if no company employs them after graduation.
Self-employment will make graduates more determined in the work they do and
will prevent them from corruption like Internet scams, kidnapping and the rest.
Conclusion, Nigerian churches need to rise in prayers to cure
corruption in this nation before it gets out of hand. Psalms 122:6
A missionary is simply someone who devotes himself to a specific
mission or purpose, whether it's to convert others or to lend a helping hand to
those in need.
Homeland missionaries are people who stay in their home country
and work on a cause or mission, usually in the name and service of their
religion. Homeland missionaries can be pastors, representatives or members of
their place of worship, or anyone who wants to make a difference.
Overseas missionaries are those most commonly thought of when
someone hears the word "missionary." These missionaries travel abroad
and live in a particular foreign country, often to evangelize and/or help
people in need.
Missionary work includes evangelism and community development
services like building schools and providing educational materials, building
hospitals and providing health care facilities and other infrastructures like
water, etc. Missionary work also brings about civilization.
Missionary work cannot be overemphasized in the development of
Nigeria. Most of the early development were brought by Christian Missionaries.
History has it that: it was the church missionaries that first
established health care services for the people of Nigeria. The Roman Catholic
Mission, the Church Missionary Society (Anglican) and the American Baptist
Mission. The first health care facility in the country was a dispensary opened
in 1880 by the CBS in Obosi, followed by others in Onitsha and Ibadan in 1886.
While the first hospital in Nigeria was the Sacred Heart Hospital in Abeokuta,
built by the Roman Catholic Mission in 1885.
Western education was also introduced by British Missionaries in
the 1840's. The first educational system of Nigeria started in Badagry where
the first primary school was established by the Wesleyan mission (Methodist
Church) in 1843 and named Nursery of Infant Church which later became St. Thomas’
Anglican Nursery and Primary School, founded by Rev. Golfer of the Church
Missionary Society (CMS) in 1845, inside the first story building in Badagry.
The Wesleyans in the same year 1843 then went to central Lagos and founded
Olowogbowo Methodist School and Ereko Methodist School in 1869. Olowogbowo
Methodist School is still waxing strong located just behind Wesley Cathedral
Olowogbowo while Ereko Mehodist School was relocated to Berkely Street and is
also still waxing strong. The first secondary school in Badagry was built over
one hundred years later called Badagry Grammar School in 1955. The Anglican
Church Missionary Society started several schools in the mid -1800s. Some of
these missionary schools are: St. Thomas Anglican Nursery and Primary school,
CBS Grammar School, Methodist Boys High school, Methodist Girls High school,
Baptist Academy, and so on, most of which are in Lagos.
Even in this generation, the Church has not relented in her
missionary works. A lot of churches have
taken it upon themselves as social responsibility to provide social
infrastructures for their community and are as well given to charity; visiting
orphanage homes, hospitals, old people's homes to give clothing and food stuffs
to the needy.
If all these are evaluated, there has been a positive impact on
the nation as a result of missionary works from both home and abroad.
The church through mission works can still bring about more
development to Nigeria by:
·
Focusing on rural evangelism and development.
·
Provision of educational materials like books, science
laboratories, and so on, for community schools.
·
Establishment of missionary schools or building classrooms for
existing schools.
·
Provision of health care facilities and free medical care.
·
Giving out scholarships.
·
Organising free skill acquisition and empowerment programs.
·
Giving financial support to small businesses.
Mission Works should therefore be encouraged and supported by
individuals and organizations.
That
our sons may be as plants grown up in their youths, that our daughters may be
as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace; Psalm 144:12 (KJV)
When talking about youths, what readily comes to mind is strength,
vigor, and ability to effect change. Prosperity is not a product of chance
rather; it is the result of deliberate actions channeled towards it. Christianity
is not a religion; it is divinity finding expression in humanity. Therefore,
when talking about Christian Youths, it’s not about a set of young people who
are known as Christians by religion or because they go to church; Christian
Youths are those young people through whom the nature and attributes of God are
expressed. They are those who have been renewed over time and that are being
changed into the nature of the One they represent (Christ) Romans 12:2, 2
Corinthians 3:18.
Only changed people can effect a change. A perfect description of
a prosperous nation is summarized in the 13th and 14th verses of Psalm
Chapter 144 (KJV):
"That
our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may
bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets. That our oxen may be
strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out, that there be no
complaining in our streets."
However, this can only be the case if verse 12 takes effect. This simply
means the prosperity of any nation depends (to a large extent) on the youths of
the nation.
- The Christian youth first of all must renew his mind with God's
Word; he is to build in himself the nature and culture of the God he represents
(Romans 12:2). It’s amazing that a lot of youths today in Nigeria (including
Christians) are seeking opportunities to lead at one level or the other only to
get their own share of the “National Cake”. Leadership is not an opportunity to
loot money; it is one’s privilege to manifest the nature of God.
- Secondly, Christian Youths are to pray for the peace and
prosperity of Nigeria. A wise man said “What you don’t want, you don’t watch”.
Make the change happen through prayer. Prayer truly changes things! Psalms 122: 6-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, if scripture says to do
so, we can’t enjoy the benefit of prosperity without it.
- Another role of Christian Youths in the prosperity of Nigeria is
obedience to constituted authority. To have a prosperous Nigeria, peace is a
prerequisite and peace can only happen where there is law and order. Therefore,
being obedient to constituted authorities is indirectly making prosperity
happen. It's not Christians that should be found indulging in lawlessness and
rebellion (Romans 13:1-5).
- Furthermore, Christian Youths are to make use of their talents
and gifts to ensure the development of Nigeria. God gives us talents and gifts
to ensure our profiting and the development of the environment around us,
Christian Youths should endeavor to refine their God-given potentials and
exercise the same for the prosperity of Nigeria.
Conclusively, the role of Christian Youths in the prosperity of
Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Christian Youths must take responsibility if
they must make indelible marks in the prosperity of Nigeria. Responsibility
they say is the price for greatness. We all have our parts to play if we must
see Nigeria prosper.
Moral values are inbuilt and inclusive ideology and logic of a
person. It is also noted that the moral values exhibited by an individual are
determined by the individual and its manifestation is dependent on the
individual's decision to exhibit these values. With regards to this work, the central point
of focus is promoting high moral values in Nigeria institutions.
There are two main educational goals which are to be desired by
both the public and private educators-academic:
1. To heighten national awareness of the importance of character
development programs in both public and private institutions.
2. Student's discipline.
The national policy on education (NPE, 2004) also specified value
systems accepted in the country and should therefore be inculcated in the
learners through the quality of educational instructors. This includes
moral/spiritual values, self-reliance, dignity of human person, etc.
Therefore, I strongly recommend the responsibility of promoting
moral values in our institutions should be a collective one; resting on
parents, teachers, religious leaders, authorities of the institutions as well
as the government. Furthermore, I advocate that the African method of raising
children should be returned to, because it takes two parents to give birth to a
child but takes a village or community to raise the child.
If you are inspired by the Holy Spirit to reach out and affect many souls through writing, send your articles to thequiver4changeoftaste@gmail.com and we will help you spread it across the world audience. God bless you as you choose to impact lives.
The Quiver is the Official Bulletin of The Change of Taste Group (a non-denominational mission intercessory and support group ©2016.
