Wholesome Service in the Vineyard of God by Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

Our service to humanity is sacrosanct to our living well on earth and out having a direct ticket into Jannat or paradise.

It is fundamental to note that if we fail to maintain good neighborliness as our service to humanity our religious activities towards God will automatically come to nullity.

The story of the rich man who refused to follow Jesus Christ gives more insight into the Holy Bible Matthew 18: 16-24,''16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

21Then came to Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.''

For any nation to achieve in the area of justice and equity to be able to have peaceful co-existence and sustainable development, the concept of philanthropy must be inbuilt into the culture learned and practiced to drastically reduce or exterminate poverty otherwise one would not be able to meet up with the admonition of the almighty Allah in the Holy Quran 90: 4-18, ''Verily we have created man into toil and struggle, thinketh he that none hath power over him? He may say boastfully wealth have I squandered in abundance! Thinketh he that none hath power over him? Have we not made for him a pair of eyes, tongue, and a pair of lips and shown him the two highways? But he hath made no haste on the path that is cheap and what would explain to thee the path that is steep?

It is freeing the bound man or giving of food in a day of deprivation to the orphans with claims of relationship or to the indigent down in the dust. Then he will be of those who believe and enjoy patience(constancy and self-restraint) and enjoying deeds of kindness and compassion such are the companions of the right hand.''

With all the churches, mosques, and other faith-based organizations around, claiming to have the direct line of God, there is a need to ask the people why democracy does not work amidst them, judging by the spate of insecurity everywhere. What then is the relevance of the houses of God and the scriptures, when the people fail to utilize their spiritual potency expected to reflect in achieving social desires. Wholesome service in the vineyard of God goes beyond religious exercises but extends to our care and service to humanity through the keeping of good neighborliness.

Adherents of all religions are expected to be change agents that are already reformed to be able to transform for good the people and the environment.

Be ready to play your owen part well from today.

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