Nigeria: Our Harvest of Thanks - Taking

21 June 2015
analysis

O Thou who hast given us so much, mercifully grant us one more thing - a truly grateful heart. - George Herbert

Another fellowship in heaven As the customary harvest period approaches in most Christian Churches, sharing a reflection on the practice as a spiritual engagement cannot be out of place. Like a few other aspects of Christian expression, harvest celebrations have metamorphosed into a skill-based enterprise. To have a successful harvest these days expert guest-preachers, event managers, comedians, Masters of Ceremonies, corporate fundraisers, internal decorators, motivational speakers and concert singers now play a very important role. The overwhelming aim of securing the services of these experts is to raise as much money as possible for the work of God. Given the importance of funds for spreading the good news the legitimacy of this good intention can hardly be contested. But with the high professional content in harvest celebrations these days however, the methods deployed to achieve the end can often from the point of view of authentic Christianity, become banal, if not exploitative. A correct understanding of the word of God however should demonstrate that the ultimate objective of all church harvest is to raise the spirituality of the faithful so that they can participate in the final heavenly harvest (Matt.22:1-14).

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