“In my walk with the Lord, working as a pastor these days since when I finished in my studies at
George Whitefield College in Cape Town, God has shown His mercies unto me. For working in Dar es Salam there are a number of false teachings and prosperity gospels – great temptation for the pastors.
I would see my friend and say “ah this guy is so prosperous” okay so he’s rich! And then I would be having that desire of being impatient and being like him.
The temptation of wealth
Some of the pastors would preach the people should come and give their belongings to the church and give to the pastors. Now to my side, as an evangelical pastor who really preaches the gospel and looks into the fullness of the gospel, I would see my friend and say “ah this guy is so prosperous” okay so he’s rich! And then I would be faced with the temptation of being impatient and being like him and begin preaching the prosperity gospel. Getting the money in, getting the possessions. That was a weakness.
The Lord is our Shepherd. He’s not only giving us all we need but He is also taking care of our souls
The good shepherd
To me, I have fallen to my knees praying unto God. That God would intervene and help us and take care of taking care of our souls. Watching of us in our souls and then really God was so good and so faithful. As he said in the Book of Psalms as well, chapter 23 verse 1, that the Lord is our Shepherd. He’s not only giving us all we need but He is also taking care of our souls as God himself is God. So in that weakness I really saw the hand of the Lord. The Lord being so good unto me and my ministry as well.
Patience and prayer
There are a number of young pastors, I’m a bit old in in ministry now. This is my fourteenth year of ordination and fourteenth year working as a pastor – full-time ministry. To the young pastors they would think of getting money and driving big cars quickly, quickly. No no no no! I would really encourage them that they should be patient and they should pray unto the Lord.
When we get to heaven we are not going with these possessions, these materials. They are here, earthly. So, we should not allow, or take chances, that they will destroy our relationship with the Lord
Earthly temptation vs. eternal reward
The Lord is the provider he provides all our needs. The things God provides are for the extension of his kingdom here on earth. And these things guys – they are only earthly possessions, materials. When we get to heaven we are not going with these possessions, these materials. They are here, earthly. So, we should not allow, or take chances, that they will destroy our relationship with the Lord.”
