Without exonerating the leaders,
we must admit: many of us have not cultivated the discipline of the Bereans.
The Bereans searched daily; we often scroll casually.
Where they mastered checking the Word, we’ve mastered checking the vibe.
But if they told us about Matthew 5: 23-24 as much as they do about Malachi 3:10a, the now famous “bring ye all the tithe“, we’d probably be faring better.
Back in my youth, it was not so cool to identify as Christian. “Maybe that was simply a GT-effect“1
However, today, every social media handler is a God huMAN, and Jesus-baddie. Set awon iAmTattoed on God. I digress….
I’m all for churchianity2 as we strive towards perfection and becoming Christian, … but it’s worthy of note that in the Gospel of Matthew 5:23–24 Jesus pauses worship itself and says:
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” – Matt 5:23-24
That’s not contradiction. That’s correction. A reset. It’s a systems correction.
“They” have something against you. Whether perceived or misconceived, first go and reconcile with “them” #IgnoranceIsBliss, no? Lol
“If someone has something against you, go reconcile first. SELAH
You can’t fund the altar while neglecting the relationship.
You can’t substitute generosity for integrity.
You can’t bribe God with offerings while avoiding repair.
As leaders and members of our communities, we are invited into balanced discipleship:
Be generous.
Be accountable.
Be humble.
Be quick to pursue peace.
Be willing to repair what has been broken.
Healthy churches are not built on resources alone.
They are built on trust, integrity, and relationships shaped by grace.
Christianity is not a Religion, it is a Relationship.
Worship is not just vertical (God and Man); It’s ethical, relational, and accountable.
And when we get that balance right, people don’t just give more, they heal more.
Healing is the children’s bread #Selah
Happy Valentines Day.
Cheers to Loving Relationships and Reconciliation.
1In my prime teens, I had an abrupt, premature, and poorly managed transition from “Revd S. M Leigh’s” OBC (the emphasis is intentional, even though it wasn’t his church per se) to GT which affected my sense of self, identity and street credibility (LOL).
In retrospect, I am grateful for the foundation and doctrine of Revd Obed, and by extension, the transition. But there’s a big lesson for leaders: parents, guardians, mentors, etc. It’s not enough to do the right thing, there’s a proper way and a time to execute. Like the Preacher mentioned in Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 #Sigh
(5) Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
(6) For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
though a person may be weighed down by misery. ~ Ecclesiastes chapter 8
2 Churchianity: Going to church, being religious, activities that depict a belonging to the sect without a necessary character transformation or evidence of an encounter in our relationships
Please shAIR Your Thoughts :-)