Rev. Father Mbaka, Leave Politicians Alone, Preach Heaven To Help Your Followers Fight Materialism

As spiritually known by virtually all Christians, materialism is a global problem. After all, Jesus Christ has in Matthew chapter 6 verse 24 admonished that “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Father Mbaka, I may not be as versed as you are when it comes to interpretations of scriptural injunctions in the bible and coming to grasp with the things of God. But I know that being materialistic as a Reverend Father is spiritually deadly. Jesus himself taught us that “The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). The universal desire for stuff threatens the progress of God’s Word which alone can lead men to salvation.

I know that as you read this piece, in your estimation, “It might have being written by a neophyte who knows nothing about the things of the Kingdom of God”. With due respect, man of God, I know that as a Reverend Father that you are called by God to preach more about heaven, not about politicians; specifically Peter Obi in this context. This is because, the reality of heaven will counter the ravenous and poisonous allure that materialism has on our souls. Contrarily, it appears you are yet to understand what you should do as a man called by God. Anyway, in my own little way, let me enlighten you on what you should henceforth be preaching about heaven rather than meddling into politics, and in the process always altercating with politicians. In fact, not few Nigerians are surprised, even as you read this, that you said Peter Obi is stingy. Whatever you mean by saying he is stingy is yet to be understood by many including this writer. In fact, if anyone need make such allegation, not someone that is regarded as an ambassador of the almighty God.

In fact, Peter Obi is not the first politician you are falling out with. Most of us in the Christendom that love you for who you are may not quickly forget how you fell out with the Presidency sometime in May, 2021, prompting Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, to respond to you thus: “Father Mbaka is everything apart from what he claims to be… an outsider distilling the avalanche of verbiage will be surprised that after supporting the President two times to win the Presidency, Father Mbaka has made a complete U-Turn, preposterously asking President Buhari to resign or be impeached.”

“Here is the point of departure: Father Mbaka asked for a meeting and to the shock of Presidential Aides, he came accompanied by three contractors. The President graciously allowed them in, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Mbaka asked for contracts as compensation for his support.”

That notwithstanding I believe if you adhere to my advices highlighted below that you will no doubt save yourself from further embarrassments and denigrations from politicians. I am in this context, offering you four ways you can preach about heaven, and I am sure they will help you put off an unhealthy desire to treat the material things of this life as your ultimate treasure. I am giving you this advice as majority of us in the Christendom are ashamed of your penchant for always falling out with politicians.

Father Mbaka, first and foremost, endeavor to always preach heaven as a motivation. Remember that Paul prays for the Colossians, he thanks God for their love and then reveals its cause. The love that they “have for all the saints” is “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” (Col. 1:4–5). The hope of heaven unleashes the kind of love in the heart that sees a brother in need and gives him the world’s goods (1 John 3:17).

There’s something about being sure you’re going to a place with divine fellowship, a street made of gold, and “prime cuts of choice meat” (Is. 25:6, CSB) that makes it easier to take some money out of your bank account and to love a brother with your cash. So pastor, describe heaven to your people vividly. Precisely and passionately explain how the work of Christ secures heaven. When you do, you’ll strike a mighty blow against the materialism in their souls.

Secondly, always preach heaven as material. This is because Heaven is a real place, and it is a lot like earth. Transitioning to heaven isn’t about moving from a world with material delights to a world of clouds and spiritual vapors that give off a totally awesome god vibe. Heaven is a place of cities and gates, people and places, food and clothing. It’s like earth, except without sin.

Thirdly, always preach heaven as a storehouse. It is ignoble to know that materialistic sinners stockpile material goods for their own enjoyment here on earth. In so doing, they worship and serve the created things rather than the Creator. Christians, on the other hand, stockpile treasures in heaven so that they can enjoy them with great thanksgiving in the presence of their gift-giving Father. Jesus wants us to pursue that kind of stockpiling.

Father Mbaka, Nwanem, leave politics and politicians alone, and resort to preaching heaven as an example. This is because in heaven, the God who is Spirit brings us into his presence through the work of his Incarnate—there it is, material again—Son to enjoy treasures with him forever.

I believe if you adhere to the foregoing advices that you will to a large extent save yourself from having issues with politicians.

Remain blessed!

Sandra Ijeoma Okoye (Author)