Founder and Senior Pastor of Agape House New Testament Church, Reverend Dr. Richard C. Whitcomb has lambasted some Arch-bishops and prophets in Ghana for manipulating their church members into giving.
Describing them as persons filled with greed and corruption, Rev. Whitcomb condemned the ‘nonsense’ of extortion some self-acclaimed men of God practice under the guise of leadership.
Even more ridiculous he said, is the fact that these men threaten their congregation sometimes, instilling fear just for selfish gains.
“There are some prophets in this town, some bishops and arch-bishops, I see, I see. All they see is your bank account. I see a visa….nonsense!. You see your own greed and corruption”
“They will tell you, if you don’t give tonight, I see an Uber car coming for you. It will strike you down, you will be in the hospital, if you don’t give. I don’t play that game. No gimmicks just Jesus. May god have mercy on us.”
Rev. Whitcomb noted during his sermon that, “giving goes beyond success, giving is significant” because wealth is measured not by financial figures but by financial focus. Making reference to the scriptures in 2 Corinthians 9:6-12.
“I’m not going to threaten you like children and cajole you and take ten different offerings. We take one and if you want to give, give and if you don’t want to give God bless you.”
He indicated that as Christians we ought to give not because of threats we get from pastors but because it is God’s will and also so we can position ourselves for God’s blessings.
“But you ought to give whether I threaten you or not. You ought to give whether I promise you something or not. You ought to give because God says this is my will for you, that you will be blessed and others will be blessed and he will receive the praises and glory.”
The rich and wealthy were however not left behind he said “there is more to life than this life!” Quoting from the book of Mark 8:36-37 “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
According to Rev Whitcomb, the rich should use this life to invest in eternal life and not only material things. He noted that they should not forget the poor and the needy.
1Timothy 6:17-19 “Teach those who are rich in this world… to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
