By Francis Nizeyimana
A debate among the communities in Kisoro has been raging on concerning the remarks made by Gatete Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Safari who discouraged Christians from offering coins in the house of the Lord.
According to Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Safari, a Christian who cannot raise at least 1000 Ugandan shillings should save his or her coins until they increase so as to give something meaningful in the House of God.
Religious leaders including Eshima Milton who is a senior pastor at Kisoro Community Church located in Nyagashinge ward in Kisoro municipality says God does not want offertory from someone whose motive is to show off to the rest of the church members that he or she is able.
Eshima says God is pleased with the offertories of the righteous man, even if they are coins.
Pastor Steven Mbarushimana, the auxiliary Bishop of Born-Again faith of close to 65 Churches says forced offertories does not please God.
What was Fr. Safari Emmanuel thinking?
An in-depth interaction with Rev. Fr. Safari revealed that bringing coins to church has no consequence however when people bring 200, 500 shillings, it simply means that they are really poor.
He advises that saving the coins and adding them up to make 1000 shillings can be more meaningful.
Fr. Safari Emmanuel also castigated Christians who are able to offer money but first seek for change to reduce the amount that goes into the house of the Lord.
“Someone has 10,000 Ugandan shillings but wants to first look for change of 2000 to give to God, this practice is not Godly, Fr. Safari explained.
The bible describes God as a generous giver and that all those who believe in him have an obligation to give tithe as well as offertory to support the work of God.
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