“making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” - Ephesians 5:16 (NIV).
It is estimated that the Roman Catholic church city state, the Vatican, has wealth of over $10 billion. This wealth is derived from investments in banking, insurance, chemicals, steel, construction, real estate portfolio. Through dividends the church is able to meet her expenses, support missions and also assist various charities.
Likewise, the church of England has an endowment fund estimated at GBP 9 billion. Through investments in various companies, around the world, the fund delivers a 10% annual return, income which is used to meet the church’s expenses even as there has been a decline in church attendance, of late.
There are other wealthy churches like the Episcopal church in the US and the church of Latter Day saints (Mormons) with wealth estimated in billions of dollars. All these derive much of their income through investments that range from real estate, old companies like Coca Cola and blue chip technology company like Google and Amazon. They use this income to, among others, support mission programs and influence social policy by supporting causes, which in the case of the Episcopal church has tended to be more liberal of nature in recent times.
When the Buganda Agreement was drawn in 1900 the Anglican Bishop Alfred Tucker, ensured that the Church of Uganda, received a lion’s share of the 94 square miles allocated to religious institutions. It is this land on which many church founded schools and hospitals are today based.
Now, on Monday 11 October, 2021, one of Uganda’s leading telecommunications company, MTN, announced the initial offering of 20% of its shares. It is of interest though to wonder how churches and Christians are responding to this offer. The financial acumen of the founders of most Western based churches have kept them well afloat through the years even with declining congregations. In Uganda few would doubt the wisdom of the founders of the Church of Christ here who ensured it was not left out of land allocations, an investment which was then used to expand the Lord’s kingdom.
Opportunities come once in a while and should not be taken lightly and let to pass without effort.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for the opportunities which in your mercy you present for believers to seize so as to prosper and help expand the Lord’s kingdom.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
