“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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16/04/2024 - 17/04/2024 All day“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8)
Have you had a moment when you felt you were out of time? It is “too late” is perhaps what went through Martha and Mary when life slipped out of their brother Lazarus. But when news got to Jesus he did not drop whatever he was doing to rush to their rescue. “So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” (John 11:7). Later he decided to go and, “On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days” (vv 17).
Yet in spite of this delay Jesus found Martha’s faith apparently not shaken. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (vv 21-22).
Meanwhile Mary who had stayed in the house on hearing of his arrival came out wondering if there was any hope. “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (verse 32). She felt it is too late.But it was not too late. “Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (vv 40). Thus, “When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” (vv 43-44).
If you believe in the Almighty God, then there is nothing like too late! Perhaps you too have a matter that has not only been ailing for a while but by all physical appearance is dead. Well, if you believe, it is not too late. It was against reality and quite laughable to think that a man who had been dead for four days could be restored to life. Well, the Lord did it. What more is it with you that the Lord can’t restore to life?
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth. you who raised Lazarus from the dead even after four days of being in the tomb, I bring to you all my affairs even that which appears dead, that you restore it to life, for nothing is too late with you, because of the faith have in your son, Lord Jesus
