The church and its responsibility

Dear Editor

Re: Church honours their pledge to help 

 

Photographer Penina Momoiseā, who took some stunning photos of churches in Samoa, marvel at their grandeur in “contrast to the simple fales that people live in” (Coconet tv). 

Penina’s observation is not unlike that expressed by many first-time visitors to the islands. We’re truly a nation obsessed with church-building. 

But the obsession isn’t unique to Samoans. 

Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder and director of Gospel for Asia, noted that when he was in the US seeking money for poverty-stricken families in India, he was struck by the immensity of the churches. 

He recalled going through the front door of one such church and thinking, the cost of the oak door alone could feed hundreds of starving children in India for weeks. We have literally hundreds of churches in Samoa. 

Not too long ago, the Congregational Church dedicated a “Cathedral” that cost members 17 million WST. What would happen if each church (or Samoan family) donate, say, a hundred dollars a month to the care of abused children at Samoa Victim? 

A hundred dollars a month is a drop in the bucket for many churches. 

Several times in the gospels, Jesus showed His love for the “little ones” (i.e. the vulnerable, the poor and powerless). 

In Matthew 25, a chapter after His discourse on the End Times, He commended and rewarded the acts of the righteous: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these (i.e. little ones) brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’”

 Someday, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

We won’t be judged for our sins (Christ paid for them all) but we will be judged for our works. 

I imagine Jesus asking, “Son/Daughter, what did you do with the resources I gave you?” I imagine many of us would reply: “Lord, we put most of it into building the best-looking and God-honoring church in Samoa.” 

I’ve a feeling, He’s going to come back with: “What of My little ones?”

 

Dan Pouesi 

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>