CALAMITIES OF FALSE PROSPERITY

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

CALAMITIES OF FALSE PROSPERITY

MAIN TEXT:

“For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked ….until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their end. Surely, you set them in slippery places, you cast them down to destruction”, (Psalm 73:3; 16-17).

INTRODUCTION:

The word “prosperity” simply, means the state of being successful. But, when the adjective “false” is used to qualify it, the word assumes a contrasting dimension. This, therefore, brings one to the knowledge that the term “false prosperity “as the state of being successful in a fraudulent way.

                Biblically speaking, God desires the prosperity of His people (3 John 2), but He does not do so at the expense of His moral principles, (Psalm 1). This implies that God is not in support of any attempt by anyone to make fortunes through dubious means. It equally indicates that He has no hands in the get-rich-quick syndrome that pulls the modern society into atrocities, but blesses honest and legitimate labour.  Having cited the above, please observe that:

FALSE PROSPERITY IS ACHIEVEMENT ON SLIPPERY GROUND

                Psalm 73 is a complete piece on the rise and fall of individuals who prosper fraudulently. In it, King David expresses surprise as to why the wicked seem to prosper un-hindered, whereas, the righteous, in most cases wallow in material poverty. His effort, notwithstanding, reveals that the wicked, though at first instance many appears to be successful, they always end-up in shame and disaster, (versus 16:18).

                To picture this in recent history, the Atta-Ikeduru born notorious business man of false prosperity in Imo State of Nigeria, popularly referred to as “Otokoto” demonstrates the point that “false prosperity” is achievement on slippery ground. Those who followed the trend would recall that the man “Otokoto” was a business influence in the state and beyond. However, the startling revelation of the beheaded Master Ikechukwu Okonkwo brought to light that his prosperity was fake and questionable. Accordingly, he lost his glory and false achievements to the devastations of the angry mob and government. By this, the writer asserts that the same whip of divine judgment waits every.

(i)                  Business man who kills for money making (versus 13),

(ii)                Politician that sacrifices human beings to demons for political powers, (versus 18).

(iii)               Pastor who engages in charm making for pastoral success, (versus 18), etc.

FALSE PROSPERITY IS A GRAG-NET TO DESTRUCTION

                Former President Sadam Hussein of Iraq, as well as esrtshile dictator, Idi Amin of Uganda has gone down in history to illustrate that “false prosperity” is a drag-net to destruction, (versus 19). The men in focus published convincingly to the whole world that their political attainment and prosperity came from God. But, their common lifestyle proved otherwise. So, don’t be deceived when political leaders make claims that they have political mandate from God. They simple truth is that God does not give political mandate by election rigging or military coup. He employs “due process” in installing leaders of His choice anytime, anywhere.

                Two other persons of notoriety that could help illustrate further the calamity of “false prosperity” are late Anini, an Edo State born robber, and late Onyenusi, a Lagos State based robber who sometimes in history terrorized Nigerians in search for money and materials. These men of the dark world successfully robbed banks, government establishments and prominent individuals in this country and made fortunes they even shared with the poor, who in turn praised their generosity. All the same, at last, both Anini, and Onyenusi, including, Sadam Hussein and Idi Amin as earlier mentioned had their judgments passed onto them by the One who does not side evil, (versus 19). This teaches that “false prosperity” through;

(1)    kidnap and abduction will always spell doom where the culprit(s) fail(s) to repent, (verses 19),

(2)    armed robbery will likely lead to death, unless one turns a new leaf, (versus 19).

(3)    violence or any form of brigandage will certainly drag one to destruction, where one refuses to change (versus 19) etc.

FALSE PROSPERITY IS A CURSE AND NO A BLESSING

                “False prosperity” is any success obtained by Trick (OBT) or outside the framework of the approved standard or law in society. This never goes down well with one who obtains it. Thus, the Bible warns “do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods, though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them”, (Psalm 62:10). The above biblical quote implies that wealth obtained by extortion, robbery or any other forms of dubious means cannot be relied on, and what you have, but cannot trust, is a curse and not a blessing.

                By way of clarity, the late Prophet Eddy Unogu of the Anioma Healing Centre in Anambra State of Nigeria serves here as a reference point. The “so called” man of God extorted money and materials from the unsuspected and desperate members of the public through foul means in the name of church blessing. But, not too long, his charms and extorted wealth disappointed him, as they proved unreliable and could not save him, when the sledge hammer of God’s judgment through the defunct Abia State vigilante group, known as the “Bakassi Boys” from Aba come down heavily on him, and eventually destroyed him for the crimes he allegedly committed against God and humanity. Therefore, the reader should note that a:

(i)                  Police personnel who extort money from the public gathers storms against himself or herself in future, (Psalm 8-19).

(ii)                Government official who siphons or embezzles public fund builds-up wealth that will soon vanish with him by dint of divine judgment, (versus 18-19).

(iii)               Military officer, who engages in looting during military operations, will soon realize that his or her loot is not a blessing, but a curse in disguise (versus 18-19), etc.

In conclusion, the fact that “false prosperity carries with it the storm that sweeps off its booty, a drag-net to destruction, as well as a curse, calls for sober reflection. The effort here is to draw the attention of the reader that God blesses honest and legitimate labour, but curses fraudulent achievements. BE CAUTIONED.