Charity: Helping without Telling
Of course, there are many rich and influential gospel persons that do not participate in charitable activities in the country; those that do not recognize that there are poor and needy people just the same way as there are wealthy people. However, those who have engaged in helping have been seen posting and announcing their charitable activities on social media, televisions, radio, etc. The social media announcements has sparked reactions from Nigerians who feel that charitable activities should not be announced but done secretly without showing off.
The question is, is it scriptural to give out help to people and announce it on social media?
What could be the motivation behind the sharing of charitable activities of gospel artistes on social media?
Matthew 6: 1-3
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your father which is in Heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth”
Does posting these helping activities on social media violate this scripture? For some celebrities, it is done out of the need to inspire people especially if they have come from the lowly estate of life while for some others, it is just an opportunity to show off and oppress people with their wealth.
For example, very recently, Chioma Jesus, a renowned gospel artist in Nigeria shared photos of herself standing with about 500 bags of rice even as she celebrated giving out 500 bags of rice in just this year alone.
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Some argue that it is the digital age and everyone loves posting every activity on social media platforms, both individuals and organizations alike. For some people, they consider posting pictures and activities on social media as a way of saving memories for the future. But cant memories be saved any other way? Social media has now become a platform where many people brag about their accomplishments and successes. Are the children of the Kingdom supposed to join in such trend?
Also, Pastor Paul Adefarasin recently completed a charitable project in Lagos state where he set up computer laboratories in about a 100 schools. This act was highly commended by the Governor, Ambode Akinwunmi.
Also, Prophet T.B Joshua shows on his live television his aid to different nations. More recently, he was seen helping to rescue Nigerians who were being threatened by slavery in Libya; all of which was shown on the SCOAN tv.
Another argument is, how is it possible to know that these people engage in charity when it is not announced. But is good deed supposed to be announced?
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