By Evang Oladipo Oluwatosin
Return to the Old Paths: A Call Away from Money-Centric Christianity
Jeremiah 6:16 (KJV)
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein."
Introduction
Imagine Apostle Paul walking into Ephesus — not preaching Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2) — but shouting, "I am the richest apostle! I can never be poor!"
The result? No revival, no repentance, and no salvation.
Paul would have betrayed his mission, abandoned the Cross, and turned the Gospel into an earthly competition.
Yet today, many pulpits have been hijacked by a money-centric gospel, where leaders glorify themselves, not God.
The Shift from the Cross to Cash
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Many Christian leaders today have moved the focus from the Cross to cash.
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Philippians 3:18-19 describes such people:
"For many walk... whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." -
They boast about cars, jets, buildings — forgetting that the Apostles boasted only in Christ.
Question to the Church:
Is your faith in Christ or in the comforts of this world?
Self-Advertisement, Not God's Approval
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John 3:30 - "He must increase, but I must decrease."
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True servants of God decrease, allowing Christ to shine.
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Money-centric preachers increase themselves, using self-advertisement, social media displays, and fake miracles to build empires.
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They are not waiting for God's announcement; they announce themselves.
Principle:
If God does not announce you, any announcement you make for yourself is noise without power.
Pushing Youth into Desperation
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The youth, seeing fake wealth, quick miracles, and boastful leaders, are pushed to:
- Fraud
- Rituals
- Corruption
- Shortcuts
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They no longer wait on the Lord; they want to arrive overnight.
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Proverbs 13:11 (NIV): "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow."
Warning to the Youth:
God's way is process, not pressure.
God's True Measure of a Leader
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In God's eyes, a leader is measured by:
- Faithfulness, not fame.
- Humility, not hype.
- Service, not self-glorification.
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Matthew 23:11: "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."
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Hebrews 13:7: "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." (Not their cars, clothes, or cash.)
The Old Path: Return Now!
- Jeremiah 6:16 commands:
- Stand — Stop running without direction.
- See — Open your eyes to the deception.
- Ask — Humble yourself to seek God's will.
- Walk — Move in God's way, not the world's trend.
- Find Rest — Peace comes when we walk in God's paths, not in the pursuit of riches.
Call to Action for the Church and Youth:
Return to:
- Holiness
- Humility
- Sacrifice
- Service
- The fear of God
Conclusion:
If Apostle Paul, Peter, John, or any true servant of God were alive today, they would not be boasting about private jets, designer clothes, or luxury.
They would boast of Christ crucified, the hope of salvation, and eternal life.
Money is not evil. But the love of money has made many pastors, churches, and youths derail (1 Timothy 6:10).
Let's return to the old paths!
Let's seek the good way!
Let's walk in it!
Only then shall we find rest for our souls.
Prayer:
"Lord, deliver us from the spirit of materialism. Help us to seek You above all else. Return Your Church to the old paths of righteousness. Raise a new generation of faithful servants who value the Cross above cash, the Gospel above gain, and Christ above comforts. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
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