WARNING TO OPPRESSORS

When Pastor E.A. Adeboye, The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God speaks the world listens. Apart from being one of the most influential men in the world, he is a sure mouth piece of God. This morning we are glad to present Daddy G.O, as he is fondly called, as our guest preacher. Adjust your seat belt as I welcome him to the podium.

'Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate (Prov. 22:22). Another problem of the rich is that the richer they become, the poorer their workers become. They slave-drive their workers to unimaginable levels and at the end of the day pay them peanuts.

'Their workers are no more than a piece of machinery they must exploit maximally without feelings. And if they breakdown out of exhaustion from overuse, they fire them and hire others.

'Some rich men have driven their workers to an early grave and yet, they never feel for them or their families. Such people, according to Proverbs 22:23 will have God to contend with. 'The temptation is there to mock, or unjustly treat the poor. During raining season, some rich men will see the poor drenched in the rain and still splash dirty water on them without even stopping to say `sorry'. No, their wealth has suddenly given them a license to be heartless and wicked.

'If you say you are a believer and have been blessed by God, how is your relationship with your subordinates? Are you heartless or wicked to them? Do you rob them of their rights because you have the money to buy judgment?

'Do you look down on the poor? Do you know that the table could turn against you in favour of that victimized poor?

'Even in the church today, the highly privileged are oppressing the less privileged. As a senior pastor, why do you sit on the wages, salaries or stipend of your workers? It shows you lack understanding and the common milk of kindness.

'Workers must be paid their allowances promptly. If you delay by one month or more, you owe them interest on their money. If you deposit the salaries of your workers on fixed deposit so as to derive interest for yourself, you are wicked or greedy. 'Today, after people have worked for the government for many years and have retired, years after, they will be unable to collect their pensions or gratuity from government because of mismanagement.

'God does not tolerate such wickedness. Whether individuals or government, the judgment of God will fall on those responsible and even their families. You cannot escape the evil harvest of your negative seeds. All oppressors end up oppressed. If you oppress others, sooner or latter it will be your turn.' Repent and restitute today.

Culled from 10th anniversary edition of Open Heavens, Vol. 10, 2010: a daily guide to close fellowship with God by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.