CHRISTIAN LIFE QUESTION AND ANSWER
RE – SPRAYING OF MONEY
Dear friend and Pastor Dr. Awe,
Thanks for your reflection on the above mentioned topic. It is a topic of deep interest; very educating and rich especially deep in some aspect. It is a topic we may not get to the root until we explore the cultural implications. I salute your courage and front in attempting to find answers to some of these bugging questions from our readers. I would suggest that when we treat topics such as this we should try not ignoring the traditions and cultural values of the people and the effect of emerging trends of developments. More so, its not possible to consider as fetish and attempt to Christianize all our cultural values and tradition.
Having said the above, I wish to state that historically spraying of money had been a long practice that existed many years back before we were born and even before the 419 show of affluence. In late 1960s and even until early 1970, this practice was done with coins (shillings and pennies). Only few rich people and few politicians could afford to dispense with paper money. As a small boy, I could recall picking coins at ceremonies in brown banks bags. It was and still remains our traditional way of showing appreciation, whether it was in an outing ceremony of fattening, traditional marriages, child naming or survival of illnesses and accidents, etc. I know some people prefer to humbly and quietly drop a gift of check or cash in an envelope. Even in this, we have situations where the rapper (envelope) has more worth or is more expensive than the gift (what is inside it).
Its true that what we do matters a lot but how we do them matter more. We are in an era of living in pride, ego and gain as well as showing of affluence both in our communities, Churches and society. Showing of affluence is not limited to spraying of money; there are even more prevalent in different phases in our Churches. (Kindly keep sealed lips about the affluences in our Churches today). Do we gladly welcome these affluences as supporting the work of the Church? Even in some Churches and on TV programs in this country of the freed, preachers are appreciated while preaching (whether speaking the truth or what people want to hear) by dropping money on or around them or placed at the Altar. Every culture has its valued traditions.
In the same way, our communities support their own, when need arises. Its our culture and our way of expression of care and love. Let this not look like a tale of two roaches: the white one gives vitamin while the black one causes leprosy. We have pecks too to remove from our eyes. We happen to be the same people whether at home, in Churches or at community functions; even when we pretend to be holier than thou at Church settings.
Like in everything else, the economic emancipation and development during 20th century and in Nigeria particularly, the oil boom ushered in great changes in people living conditions. Again, the unfortunate emergence of 419 also came with throwing ill gotten money about, as a show of affluence. Some of them are strong supporters, movers and shaker of both our communities and Churches. Among them some hold prominent positions in Churches and throw about their weight (ill gotten money) around the pastors and no body cares how they made them.
I believe as African ministers who inform our people in our Churches and society, we should understand enough to know where to draw the line. Our readership is wider than what we know and it includes those of other discipline apart from religion and other cultures. Our society is not static and it is subject to changes in and around it. More so religion itself is dynamic and evangelical tools in our hands could make or mar our goals.
Thank you sir, for the great work you do as a pastor and a writer who informs our community. May your light keep shinning and good success shall be your reward.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill
Director, Weefree Ministries