Ghana: Men of God Cautioned Against Materialism, Exploitation
http://allafrica.com/stories/201110260248.html
Sebastian R. Freiku
The Chronicle, 25 October 2011
Kumasi — Apostle Kofi Nkansah-Sarkodie, General Overseer of the Open Arms Ministries at North Suntreso in Kumasi, has admonished Ministers of the Gospel to stay clear of anything that relates to the power of Satan, with the view of performing miracles and wonders for material gain and fame.
The man of God condemned the negative expose of Christendom, following the misconduct of some men of God on the local scene.
Apostle Nkansah-Sarkodie, who is also known as Brother Sark, noted that "Satan is seriously at work and infiltrating the ranks of Ministers of the Gospel," and cautioned them to beware and not allow the devil to use them perform miracles and wonders.
According to him, those men of God lose guard and fall to the tricks of Satan. He as well cautioned Ministers against resorting to lies, falsehood, and deceit, because they would be exposed, disgraced, and punished at the end of the day.
Apostle Nkansah-Sarkodie pointed out that recent reported cases of fornication, rape, armed robbery, adultery, stealing, and fraud, among other vices allegedly involving some men of God, which situation, he said, was driving many Christians away from God.
"Our church leaders, who should be shepherding the flock towards salvation, are themselves shamefully leading ungodly lifestyles."
The General Overseer has therefore, admonished Christians to be wide awake, lead godly lives, and not sway in their faith, so as not to lose salvation. He also advised unbelievers to repent their sins, and take up to Jesus Christ, in order to escape hellfire.
In a related development, Prophet Emmanuel Amoah of Gentle Prayer Ministry at Atwima Kokoben in the Ashanti Region has cautioned colleague pastors not to exploit the membership of their churches.
He said pastors who exploit and extort monies from their members are doomed and hellbound, because it was not right in the sight of God.
Pastor Amoah said in radio evangelism on BOSS FM in Kumasi recently that men of God who defy divine directive and milk their members dry, would face the wrath of God, and be judged.
He said it was against God's design for pastors to feed fat on members of their congregation.
The concerned man of God pointed to the common feature among most pastors who take care of themselves by living ostentatious lives at the expense of their members as in Ezekiel 34:1-10. Quoting 1 Peter 5:1-4, Prophet Amoah said pastors were bound to willingly take proper care of the flock God entrusts into their care. "Do your work not for pay, but from a real desire to serve," so that they (pastors) will share in God's glory, he advised.
Referring to Ephesians 2:2 and James 4:1-5, Prophet Amoah reiterated that pleasure seekers were God's enemies, and admonished that pastors who desire pleasures and do what pleases them are destined to suffer God's anger.
The Prophet noted that it was common to see the flock shepherding the shepherd, instead of the other way round, and attributed this situation to the fact that some men of God follow and obey the world's evil spirits and disobey God.
"Pastors, who do not do the right thing to save souls are doomed," Prophet Amoah cautioned.
He noted that in the face of lack of proper shepherding, the flock, which is vulnerable, is scattered out of frustration, thus falling prey to from one such pastor to another.
Prophet Amoah has, therefore, urged pastors to respond positively to their calling, and preach salvation to save souls for God's Kingdom, instead of preaching prosperity which never comes to the flock, because in the true sense, they (said pastors) care for themselves.
Prophet Amoah said the admonition to cater for the vulnerable and weak equally applies to politicians, ministers of state, district chief executives, government functionaries, public officers, civil servants and people in positions of trust, including journalists.
