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I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29-30 (NIV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, first and foremost receive our lovely Christian greetings from Burundi. We hope all of you are fine by God’s Grace.
We are much delighted and privileged to share the following devotional with you as a matter of strengthening each other in our spiritual journey and daily battle against the Devil’s plans and spiritual traps.
What is obvious is that the Church today faces a serious challenge that was foreseen by Scripture: the rise of false teachings and spiritual deception. Many individuals claim to speak in God's name, yet their message is often driven by personal ambition, greed, popularity, or the desire for power rather than faithfulness to God's Word. The Apostle Paul warned the elders of Ephesus: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29–30, NIV). Likewise, the Apostle Peter cautioned believers that “there will be false teachers among you” who would secretly introduce destructive teachings (2 Peter 2:1). Therefore, both church leaders and believers must remain vigilant, carefully testing every teaching against the authority of Scripture.
The distortion of biblical truth is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, faithful servants of God have warned against it. The Apostle Paul urged Timothy: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). He further warned that a time would come when people would not endure sound doctrine but would gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Similarly, John Stott (1992) observed that the health of the Church depends upon its unwavering commitment to biblical truth rather than cultural trends or personal interests. Church leaders must therefore be faithful stewards of God's Word, while believers should cultivate biblical literacy so that they are not easily deceived by persuasive but unbiblical teachings.
In addition to guarding spiritual truth, the Church must pursue economic empowerment as part of holistic transformation. Poverty and dependency can make individuals and churches vulnerable to manipulation by those who use financial assistance as a means of influencing beliefs and practices. Scripture affirms the dignity of productive work. Paul instructed believers: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). He also reminded the Ephesian elders that he worked diligently to support himself and others, declaring, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Economic empowerment enables Christians and churches to participate more effectively in God's mission without compromising biblical convictions. According to Wayne Grudem (2003), faithful stewardship of resources is an important aspect of Christian discipleship because it allows believers to serve God and their communities responsibly.
The Church should therefore move beyond dependence and intentionally develop diversified income-generating projects that can sustainably support ministry and transform the lives of its members. Such initiatives may include agricultural projects, schools, vocational training centers, health facilities, rental properties, savings and credit cooperatives, and other ethical enterprises suited to the local context. These projects should not replace the Church's spiritual mission but strengthen it by providing resources for evangelism, discipleship, church planting, education, and community outreach. As Scripture teaches, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance” (Proverbs 21:5). Through wise planning and collective participation, church members can improve their livelihoods, reduce poverty, create employment opportunities, and experience holistic transformation that addresses spiritual, social, and economic needs.
Furthermore, the long-term goal should be to enable church members to become active owners and stewards of these initiatives rather than passive beneficiaries. When believers contribute their skills, labor, resources, and leadership, they develop a sense of responsibility and ownership that strengthens both the Church and the community. This approach promotes long-term financial sustainability and reduces vulnerability to external pressures that may compromise biblical convictions. As Bryant Myers (2011) argues in his work on transformational development, true Christian development empowers people to participate in their own growth while honouring God and serving others. In this way, a financially sustainable Church can remain faithful to biblical truth, resist manipulation, support its mission effectively, and equip future generations to serve Christ with integrity and independence.
Therefore, let the Church stand firm in the faith, guard the truth of God's Word, and pursue holistic transformation through godly stewardship and sustainable economic empowerment. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). By combining sound doctrine with responsible economic development, the Church will be better positioned to fulfil God's mission, care for His people, and remain faithful for generations to come. Likewise, believers who diligently study God's Word, work faithfully, and remain connected to the body of Christ will stand strong against deception.
A Concluding Prayer
Dear and Almighty Lord, we are grateful to you for Your Word, which is truth and a lamp to our feet. Help us remain faithful to the teachings of Scripture and give us discernment to recognize and reject false doctrines. Strengthen Your Church to stand firm in the gospel and protect Your people from spiritual manipulation. Teach us to work diligently, steward our resources wisely, and support one another in faith and love. May our lives glorify You as we remain steadfast in Your truth. In Jesus’ Name we do pray.
Rt Rev Pontien Ribakare
Bishop of Rutana, Burundi
