THE EDITOR, Sir:

HAVING READ the wonderful, scripture-filled letter by Steve Lyston encouraging the flock to bring in God's money in Saturday's Gleaner, I believe some rational thinking is needed. I accept all the scriptures he quoted, but let us look at the world we live in today.

Where are most of the loans to the United States coming from? Would you say the most blessed Christian country is America or is it China? Could you say that Saudi Arabia has no money because they did not give the tithing that Lyston demands for prosperity? Would you say the poor people in Darfur and sub-Saharan Africa can't be blessed because today they are not in a position to come up with the necessary 10 per cent to be blessed by God?

Good things only for some?

Would you say that the most wealth in this world is in the hands of those who follow the Judaism/ Christianity pattern of paying God for prosperity. Could it be that God is Lord of the entire Earth and keeps his blessing for all mankind regardless of religious belief?

During the time just after World War II, when Japan's economy was taking off, can anybody say it was because they lived by the Scriptures, we western Christians hold as essential for prosperity? Could any Christian prove that if the oil-producing nations do not bring the 10 per cent to the preacher's door, then God will dry up the oil that was placed there thousands of years before the Bible was written. Who controls God's blessing? Could it be an educated preacher?

God's blessing not limited

In light of our inculcated belief that God is purely for that 10 per cent as stated in the Bible, may we not look around us? Not only must we read and digest religious dogma, but we must look at the vast world around us created by a far more intelligent and superior being. After we do that, we will understand that God's blessing is not limited to our own narrow band of religious belief.

We will understand that economy means practical thinking. No amount of paying man as God's tax-collectors will change his mind.

May the said Lord bless Lyston and cause him to look at the entire world instead of purely Judaism /Christianity.

I am, etc.,

TYRONE OSBORNE

Kutuki23@gmail.com