News / Religion
ZCC warn churches over greed behaviour
02 Oct 2017 at 06:54hrs | Views
VP Mnangagwa kneeling before a preast in church
Zimbabwe Council of Churches has warned churches to stop being greed and follow the word of God in a proper way to ensure the success of the nation.
ZCC said the Church does not stand at this place with any claim of superiority. It is both an instrument of God but is also compromised by selfish human interests.
"For this reason, the Church will also need to repent as much as it calls others to repentance. As the word of God says, "it is time for judgment to begin with God's household" (1 Peter 4:17)," said ZCC.
"We have seen some in the Church who have taken advantage of the anxiety of the unsuspecting citizens to extort from them hard-earned money through different forms of religious manipulation. We reject as evil, all economic manipulation that masquerades itself as divine solutions to the current economic situation."
The organisation said Church leaders are called to live modest lives and not to be driven by desire for opulence and extravagance in the midst of poverty.
"The Church relates with the state guided by the principle of critical solidarity. If the government does well, the Church is there to support and encourage the state. Where the government has taken a course that will endanger peace, justice and equal opportunities for all, the Church must take a position to tell the truth in love and respect for the sake of repentance," ZCC said.
"The prophetic role of the Church derives from God's word which says that "you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). The Church has a responsibility to speak truth to itself and to the world. This is the moment of truth to which the Church must respond."
ZCC said the Church does not stand at this place with any claim of superiority. It is both an instrument of God but is also compromised by selfish human interests.
"For this reason, the Church will also need to repent as much as it calls others to repentance. As the word of God says, "it is time for judgment to begin with God's household" (1 Peter 4:17)," said ZCC.
"We have seen some in the Church who have taken advantage of the anxiety of the unsuspecting citizens to extort from them hard-earned money through different forms of religious manipulation. We reject as evil, all economic manipulation that masquerades itself as divine solutions to the current economic situation."
The organisation said Church leaders are called to live modest lives and not to be driven by desire for opulence and extravagance in the midst of poverty.
"The Church relates with the state guided by the principle of critical solidarity. If the government does well, the Church is there to support and encourage the state. Where the government has taken a course that will endanger peace, justice and equal opportunities for all, the Church must take a position to tell the truth in love and respect for the sake of repentance," ZCC said.
"The prophetic role of the Church derives from God's word which says that "you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). The Church has a responsibility to speak truth to itself and to the world. This is the moment of truth to which the Church must respond."
Source - Byo24News
