“Everyone is Rich…”

By Tosin 'Badeniyi, PhD
- August 7, 2020

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I was at Musgrave Centre Durban recently, to purchase few items including KFC’s new menu –Streetwise Mix – when the KFC cashier said to me ‘everyone is rich…if they are saving.’ She uttered this statement after she asked if I was willing to add some money for charity and I responded, ‘No, KFC is rich, they should support the less privileged from their profit.” After collecting my menu, I thought about what she said.

Indeed, everyone is rich. We are all rich in something. Some people are rich in cash, some in talents, some in knowledge, some in ideas, some in gifts, some in stocks, some in real estate, some because they have good health and some in all of them. Before visiting Musgrave Centre, I had been thinking of ‘prosperity gospel or preaching-bashing’ on social media.

The first example was from Professor Dieudonne Tamful’s article titled ‘The Gods of the Prosperity Gospel unmasking American Idols in Africa.” shared on twitter. Prof Tamful said “Prosperity preachers appeal to people’s lustful desires. They seduce before they swindle. They know that people have an insatiable desire for stuff, health, power. They themselves do.

So that is what they offer and that is what they amass for themselves.” Another one from Sean (twitter handle @ChristIsComing4) in which he twitted “Stop re-tweeting the feel good, flesh pleasing, deceitful, manipulative, tragic message from rich and bulging fat pastors and preachers about ‘reaching your full potential.” That’s not Christianity according to Christ or Paul.

There is no more You! Gal 2:20” Although I didn’t respond to Tamful, I did to Sean. This was my reply: “I get your point. We must look unto Jesus and seek those things which are above, at the same time it is God’s will for us to prosper in every way including soul prosperity (Ref 3 John 2).” Sean replied: “As God wills so we will prosper.

Some will have more and some less.” I did finally agree with him 100%. At the same time, I do believe balanced and Biblical prosperity preaching (one with emphasis on soul prosperity and Christlikeness) should be encouraged because Christ is not against us having material prosperity as long as we are rich toward God.

“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22

Tosin 'Badeniyi, PhD

Tosin ‘Badeniyi, a Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science at Durban University of Technology, South Africa, holds a doctoral degree in Food Science from University of Pretoria South Africa. Since 2001, he has conducted research and lectured internationally in the area of food quality and safety. He is the editor of Food Science and Technology: Trends and Future Prospects and has published numerous scientific publications as well as four inspirational books.