Planning and investment are pivotal for those eyeing future advancement. Yet, for developed nations, such progress often means diverting resources into developing sophisticated weaponry to prepare for potential conflicts. This approach can commonly be seen as investing in destruction rather than in progress. The relentless chase for advanced military technology, under the guise of maintaining peace, is a clear sign of a world tilting towards insanity. Decision-making is left to a select few, while the majority shirks responsibility, even when negative outcomes would be predictable. Rationality must be employed to understand the roots of this madness.
Security is pursued through armament rather than by nurturing positive international relations. History illustrates that even the most powerful nations experience rises and declines, underscoring the transient nature of power. No country has ever achieved perpetual peace. Despite this, nations often overlook the teachings of history. States known for their belligerence may profess a desire for peace, but their actions often belie their words. It is rare for nations to acknowledge their own actions, typically casting their adversaries as provocateurs. Without meaningful dialogue, peace remains elusive.
This scenario illustrates people fumbling in darkness, lacking someone to light their path. Jesus is heralded as the light of the world, yet the original Christians having been turned into skeptics, consider His teachings impractical. They become introverted, thinking more about their own survival rather than taking the responsibility of being the light. The Bible’s perceived ineffectiveness arises from a misinterpretation of Jesus’ lessons by those traditionally bestowed with guidance. This situation stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of Scripture.
Scholars tasked with interpreting Jesus’ teachings have, through their misinterpretations, led Christians to neglect the practicality of Jesus’ words. Entrusting biblical interpretation solely to scholars signifies a departure from Christianity’s original purpose. The Christian community is still in anticipation of influential leaders who can offer guidance. The Bible clearly empowers Christians, through Jesus Christ, to be the light of the world. This implies taking the responsibility to address all problems of the world, particularly, where warfare takes centre stage.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15 NKJV).
The Christian doctrine stresses the importance of taking responsibility for current situations. It is crucial that ordinary people are not left to fend for themselves, and Christian leaders are tasked with taking charge and creating viable solutions. Effective communication is vital, as its lack is at the heart of numerous problems, including conflicts. The collapse of communication has fragmented families and contributed to ongoing wars, which, although frequently treated as normal, indicate deeper problems.
Jesus taught Christians to not depend on scholars but to heed the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The coming of Jesus suggests that warfare issues should have been left behind by now. Failing to address current challenges is seen as cowardice, which the Bible deems unfit for those who identify as Christians. Addressing the problematic issues of humanity is the duty of all who are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This serves as a strong appeal to re-evaluate the Christian responsibility in this era.
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:18-21 NKJV).
The essence of Christianity is to carry on the work of Jesus initiated during his time on Earth. However, the primary role of Christians is to act as peacemakers. While preaching the gospel is significant, the global presence of Christians should be seen as a means to foster peace in areas plagued by conflict. Now more than ever, the world requires peacemakers. Instead of focusing solely on theological training in seminaries, students should also be equipped with peacemaking skills.
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NKJV).
The referenced Scripture emphasizes the importance of Christianity. A Christian stops viewing others merely by their physical existence, recognizing instead their spiritual state. Jesus did not sacrifice Himself for the sake of mortal bodies destined for the grave. He gave His life for people, fully cognizant of their spiritual state. Their potential exceeds what we can conceive. As Christ’s ambassadors, Christians are expected to continue His work with unwavering belief, as if Christ Himself were present.
Jesus’ teachings are marked by a focus on serving others. The concept of investing for eternity is seen as contributing to the well-being of our fellow humans. Commonly, people invest with an eye toward their own future prosperity. However, Jesus offered many parables that emphasized attending to the needs of others’ souls rather than one’s own interests. In one narrative, He proposed what might be commonly viewed as an unusual custom of hosting feasts.
Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbours, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12-14 NKJV).
Parties are a universal aspect of human culture, reflecting the desire to celebrate life. Individuals with financial means often host gatherings, inviting friends and family to share in life’s blessings. In turn, guests may feel compelled to host their own events, contributing to a cycle of social enjoyment. Yet, in the referenced Scripture, Jesus proposes an unconventional approach to hosting parties. He implies that the finest gatherings are those to which people are invited without any expectation of reciprocation.
Indeed, this practice is quite uncommon and seldom observed, even among Christians who are presumed to be more knowledgeable. Hosts throw lavish parties and the pleasure derived from such events is gratifying, especially when returning the favour to those who have previously extended similar invitations. The underlying assumption is to satisfy guests thoroughly, so they express their gratitude generously, ensuring their continued support. The natural inclination is to forge friendships as a means of self-preservation.
The suggestion of Jesus is often viewed as overly costly. The guests invited may not possess the civility to recognize the importance of showing gratitude. The host would have invested without any anticipation of return, which could be seen as a lack of business acumen. In this world, such investments are deemed impractical, as they do not offer the advantage of tangible returns. Yet, according to Jesus, this represents an investment in eternity, promising abundant joy in the future instead of transient pleasure in the present.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-24NKJV).
The teaching offered by Jesus challenges the concept of self-centeredness or introversion. In our physical existence, the accumulation of wealth is highly valued. The main benefit is gaining respect from others. However, wealth allows one to live comfortably, often disregarding the comfort of others. Introversion may address one’s immediate physical needs, but attending to the needs of others ensures lasting survival. To underscore the viability of this philosophy, Jesus provided another practical parable.
The business owner issued a termination notice to a particular manager. However, during his remaining weeks, the manager dedicated time to building relationships with the clients. He attentively met the needs of his clients, who might have been oblivious to his impending job termination. They perceived him as a compassionate individual who greatly reduced their debts. As a result of this loyalty, the clients made sure to support him after his employment ended. The manager practised what was unethical. In this parable, Jesus was not condoning deceitful behaviour in the workplace but was highlighting the importance of preparing for the future (Luke 16:1-13).
The metaphorical use of the eye as the body’s light suggests spiritual insight. Life is fundamentally a spiritual element rather than merely a physical one. Investing financially for future adversities may seem prudent, but not to those who recognize the spiritual nature of life. There cannot be wisdom in investing for what perishes, rather than on what is imperishable. The ultimate error in amassing material wealth is the certainty of death, which impacts all of humanity. Jesus offered another parable to highlight the foolishness of such a mindset.
Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21 NKJV).
Jesus faced challenges when confronting individuals who did not recognize the temporary nature of physical life, a fact as certain as the inevitable end of all human beings. His teachings offered insights that promised eternal existence. The spirit, according to these teachings, is scientifically more substantial than the physical body. However, this concept appears to be difficult for those who firmly believe that the physical body is the ultimate reality.
Investing in nuclear arms for physical security may ultimately lead to a nuclear inferno. The goal may be to enhance security, yet it paradoxically guarantees the likelihood of a nuclear catastrophe. The root of this seemingly foolish behaviour is not ignorance but rather pride, which is commonly traceable to individuals. It stems from a desire to assert dominance over others, despite the certainty that all physical entities will eventually cease.
The easiest thing for most people is to blame those bestowed with leadership. But whoever assumes that comfort of blaming others would be the real culprit. It takes a person who becomes aware of investing for eternity to take responsibility for matters of survival. The question is what one does for his fellow men, than what he does for himself. Jesus displayed a perfect example of investing in eternity, during His short stint on this planet. It is within the capacity of any person who sees wrong things that need correction and acts, accordingly.
The prevalent excuse that an individual cannot rectify the world’s deep-seated issues stems from a mindset that prioritizes the physical over the spiritual. However, devout Christians heed Jesus’ teaching that even faith the size of a mustard seed can make all things possible. Given the sheer number of professed Christians, a reevaluation of Christian ethics could revolutionize the world instantly. Christians were never meant to engage in the blame game, as their endeavours are investments in eternity. Thus, excuses hold no weight for those who profess belief.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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