The world looks at Americans as though we were Kings and Queens – rich and celebrities….how do Americans look at the world?
Today we went to Pastor Emmanuel’s house. The house was small and it wasn’t even his. A man offered to allow Pastor Emmanuel and his wife, 3yr old girl Witness, and two week old son Daniel to stay for free. The church pays for Pastor Emmanuel’s salary (allowance), but even in that, Pastor sometimes uses his salary to pay the rent for the church.
Pastor Emmanuel turned on the TV and there were many faith channels where people were wearing expensive clothing, 1st world country reporters, a Celebrationthon asking people to save the olive trees in Israel and to buy an olive tree for $300. I was appalled! Here I am seeing a program where people are advertising and actually were sponsoring support for olive trees, where a pastor in Africa could use that kind of money to support his family and build the church God has called him to shepherd.
Then we saw and heard a sermon from a famous American pastor on a DVD that Pastor had. This American pastor wore ritzy all over him. I wonder what Pastor’s thoughts were on a megachurch?
There are people in Africa who need the money American megachurches are pulling in. Are we Americans really doing our job helping our brothers and sisters around the world? Has our glamour and gluttony gotten to our heads and has that kept us from emptying out our barns to build bigger barns?
My heart and prayers and support are for the many pastors like Pastor Emmanuel who wrestle with financial and spiritual pressures daily just to survive in this world. Father God, break our hearts for what breaks Yours!
