“I Can’t Follow A Poor Pastor” Doctrine

“I Can’t Follow A Poor Pastor” Doctrine

By Apostle Felix

1  I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ.

1 Corinthians 11: 1

Poverty is an enemy of mankind and it should be passionately hated. It is not something someone should take pride in. However, the poor should not be despised and looked down upon. Poverty is the state of lacking sufficient financial resources, income, or material possessions to meet basic,, daily needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare. And sometimes, poverty can be relative depending on the societal perception of life and the availability of amenities in the society. We may find community poverty or individual poverty. Poverty at community level has minimized in certain countries like some countries in Europe. Unfortunately, the poverty levels in Africa are very high and that has made the church to be very vulnerable to deception.

The poverty has affected both the church people and those outside the church. It has become a universal problem of mankind. The majority of the church people are poor, lacking the essential amenities, such as healthcare, good housing etc. This pandemic has been used to manipulate the vulnerable. What do I mean? The statements like ‘Do not follow a poor pastor’ are means to manipulate the gullible people. Do I have to follow a poor pastor? No! Then should I follow a rich pastor? The answer is no. Following a man in the kingdom of God should not be based on how wealthy one is financially and earthly materials. Even the world understands better. They do not follow a man just because he is popular or has money. Bill Clinton was impeached as a president of United States of America because of a scandal of infidelity with Lewinsky. Tiger woods lost Nike sponsorship worth millions of US dollars because of scandals. The world knows there is something greater than just affluence.

For the church, certain factors should be considered before affluence.Followership should not depend on affluence only but how much one has been influence by the doctrine of Christ. Apostle Paul said, ‘Follow me as I follow Christ.’ One should be a follower of Jesus in character, and doctrine in order to be followed. This kind of reasoning that financial gain is a sign of God’s blessing on one’s life, has really blindfolded the church into embracing falsehood and false prophets. As long as one has money then he or she is of God. Little do they know that the money the false prophet is flaunting is actually from their wallets and handbags. The point is, no man should be followed because he is poor or rich. The only criteria to follow a man should be, ‘Is he or she following Christ in character or doctrine of Christ?’ Study the man’s doctrine before committing yourself. This is because, doctrine has the power to shape your character. The statement, ‘I cannot follow a poor pastor’ has been shaped by wrong doctrine. Doctrine is powerful. Do not underestimate it.