By Lawrence Nwimo
The Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, Most Rev Alexander C. Ibezim has appealed Christians all over the world to consider sacrificing gifts to God to appreciate him for his goodness.
Ibezim made the appeal while delivering an Easter message to Christians celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ibezim, also the Bishop of Awka Diocese enjoined Christians to give more to God noting that many Christians who seek God’s presence often forget offering to God what belongs to him.
The cleric explained that giving to God is beyond giving money stressing that there are gifts that are more precious to God than money. “The problem we are having in our society today is that many people that tend to say they seek the face of the lord do so without giving to the lord. You must not be an idle person in the church. You must seek the lord with something.
“When God created you, he did so for a purpose. When you bring a gift to the church, you are bringing a gift to humanity. Whenever we talk about gifts, people interpret them to mean money. The gift we talk about has more value than money. Money is the least of gifts to God.”
The Archbishop also expressed worry that Christianity has failed to grow due to the reluctance on the part of Christians to take risks for the sake of God noting that even priests have resorted to preaching beautiful sermons because they failed to do the needful for Christ.
Speaking on the 2021 Easter Celebration-themed, “Who Will Roll Away This Stone,” drawn from the book of Mark, 16, he reminded Nigerians that it is the grace of God that sustained them to celebrate Easter in 2021 adding that last year was a nightmare for the people.
He recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic that wreaked havoc globally started in March, which according to him, crippled Easter celebrations all over the world. He assured that the COVID-19 and other problems of humanity will be rolled away by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.