We now live in a world where the pivotal purpose of existence has turned from living for eternity to living for vanity.
As a result of this, men have become desperate for wealth and in their desperation, illegitimate businesses have become a norm.
Here in Africa, there has been an increase in the number of youths who engage in Internet fraud; it has become a social convention and has even dubbed ‘yahoo’.
Folks who engage in this chain of fraud seem to earn a lot of profit from it. They drive expensive cars and live extravagantly. This flaunting and extravagant life is also like the scent of sugar that drives men like ants to engage in it as well.
However, as believers, we must be resolute in our decision not to engage in such mischievous act.
Both Bible history and recent history has taught us that we can prosper as believers through legitimate businesses. The likes of Oprah Winfrey, Don Won Chang, Strive Masiyiwa etc, have proven this.
Thus, we must be careful not to keep our eyes focused on making a living legitimately and not fraudulently. This is because;
ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH WILL END IN SHAME:
Proverbs 21:6: The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.
My father once told me of a very wealthy elder who once lived in his village. This elder had lots of houses, cars, trucks etc. He lacked nothing. He was also influential and was among the most revered elders in the village.
However, before his exit, he called my father – at this time, my father was still a teenager, and began to counsel him.
‘He showed me his great wealth and narrated the story of how he achieved all he achieved. Then he looked at me with pain in his heart and said, “Don’t ever get into the occult”’ My father said to me.
‘He told me how he got into the occult because of his desperation to be wealthy. But in the occult, he lost his wife, he lost his peace of mind; and all his children are living a wasted life. And then he said to me, “Don’t chew meat that is very sweet but will eventually cause your gum to bleed”’ my father recalled.
The story of this elder is an illustration on how the life of those who use ungodly means to get wealth will be.
Like Ahab, they might be lucky to escape judgment here, but their children will suffer for their sins, and the flames of hell will also eagerly anticipate their arrival.
Here’s another text that further illustrates this;
Micah 2:1 How terrible it will be for you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry out any of the wicked schemes you have power to accomplish.
Micah 2:2 When you want a certain piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence…
Micah 2:3 But this is what the Lord says: “I will reward your evil with evil; you won’t be able to escape! After I am through with you, none of you will ever again walk proudly in the streets.”
GOD PROSPERS
Strive Masiyiwa, one of Africa’s leading entrepreneurs, started his business with just $75 according to Arrow Leadership and followed Biblical principles of prosperity. Here’s his story;
“Like most business owners Masiyiwa faced hardships along the way. He requested a license to cellular frequencies from the Robert Mugabe government. Mugabe refused to grant a license, claiming he had potential for becoming a monopoly. Masiyiwa sued the government. Almost immediately, Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court ruled against him, leaving seemingly no chance for appeal. It appeared his dreams of a pan-African mobile network were doomed.
It was then that his wife convinced him to go to church with her.
Masiyiwa recalls, ‘It seemed as though everyone in the room except me was so happy! The young American pastor was preaching about Jesus Christ, whom I thought I had known all my life. Now I realized that I did not know Him; I only knew of Him.” That moment changed everything for him. He borrowed a second-hand Bible, and read the entire thing in two weeks, committing his life (and business) fully to Christ.
With renewed determination, he dove back into the fight against the Mugabe government. Five years, and thousands of prayers later, Masiyiwa was granted the license and the means to grow a mobile technology company.
Today, Econet Wireless, operates in more than 15 countries and enjoys a majority share of Zimbabwe users. The company began offering mobile banking, and within 18 months, some 20 percent of Zimbabwe’s GDP was passing through its networks.
If his story ended here, it would be a powerful testament to the strength of Christ in the lives of businesspeople who are fully committed. But over the years Masiyiwa has grown into one of the most prolific philanthropists in Africa and around the world. As part of the The Giving Pledge, Masiyiwa spends nearly as much time and money giving back as he does growing Econet Wireless. He is the co-founder of the Capernaum Trust, a Christian charity that sponsors the education of over 28,000 Zimbabwean orphans, he founded the environmental group the Carbon War Room with Sir Richard Branson, and sits on countless boards from Grow Africa to organizations leading the charge against HIV/AIDS and Ebola.”
Strive’s story is one of thousands of testimonies that show God’s willingness to bless and prosper His children.
Therefore, let us keep our eyes off the fraudulent money of the evil and follow the true path to godly and lasting prosperity.
KOINONIA ART 