(For further and better understanding, study Matthew 13 and 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; Acts 2-5; 1 Corinthians 6)

Michael Olusegun BABAJIDE

We are approaching that time of the year again: that time when worship centres are turned into makeshift market places for buying GOD's favour, for selling GOD's mercy, for dancing, for singing, for rejoicing, for merrying, for making "money for the Church", and for spotlighting the diversity of our tribes and ethnic nationalities under the banner of different slogans and catchphrases like Harvest of Divine Locomotion; Harvest of Unprecedented Acceleration; Harvest of Thanksgiving; Harvest of Holiness and Peace; Harvest of Protection and Promotion; Harvest of this; Harvest of that.

We are approaching that time of the year again when seed-sowing is an integral and essential activity of what is supposed to be a harvest season, all in the name of making money and raising money, by whatever "holy" means possible, for the Church, since we have not evangelized and birthed a Church like that which existed in the days of the Apostles when believers gave charitably, freely and proactively, out of their poverty and plenty, without being cajoled and manipulated, and without the deployment of psycho-commercial tactics for luring out a reluctant lucre out of the gated pockets of parishioners who claim to be a Community of CHRISTians and a congregation of believers.

We are approaching that season of the year again when any correct Disciple of JESUS CHRIST should begin to reflect on, pray about, and interrogate these questions:

a) What is the purpose of and need for Harvest in the Body of Christ?

b) How come JESUS rebuked non-CHRISTian Jews for buying, selling, and trading around the temple area those livestock and currencies which were needed INSIDE the temple itself for Jewish worship, yet those who call themselves CHRISTians and who scriptures describe as temples of the HOLY SPIRIT see nothing wrong with participating in the offering for sale and accepting to buy bazaar items like yam, apples, cattle, and gadgets which have little or no significance for CHRISTian worship?

c) How can we as members of the Body of CHRIST and as TEMPLES of the HOLY SPIRIT become and maintain our worship centres as HOUSES of PRAYER without turning same into marketplaces or dens of thieves and robbers?

d) How do we "raise money" for the Church as Children of GOD and of HIS Kingdom and not as children of the world and of the evil one?

e) The monies "we are raising for the Church" and the bazaar items we auction at astronomical prices for which we turn ourselves into a marketplace and into a den of thieves and robbers are used for what exactly: to evangelize souls that would be admitted into the Kingdom of GOD or to entice, build, and maintain exotic Church administrators and structures that suit our status, catch our fancy, and meets our traditional tastes?

We have approached that time of the year when we need to grow as seeds sown on fertile soil and not as seeds sown by the roadside, on rocky grounds, and/or among thorns. We have approached that time of the year when we need to grow as mustard seeds and wheats and not as weeds.

We have approached that time of the year when we need to be caught as good fish to be kept and not as bad fish to be thrown into the fire. We have approached that time of the year when we need to become a HOUSE of PRAYER and not a marketplace or a den of thieves and robbers. 

Happy CHRISTday