Before leaving, Jesus promised His disciples that He would never abandon them but would remain with them spiritually. Though the world may assume He is no longer with humanity, He continues to be present with His disciples and all future believers who follow in faith (John 14:15-21). Even though He cannot be seen physically, He dwells with everyone who believes and has been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
No name is more honored across the globe than the name of Jesus. If that name is truly glorified, it should be reflected in the lives of those who claim to represent Him. Yet many worshippers appear unaware that Jesus—who never sought worship for Himself—is as present now as He was in the first century. The same veil that blinded people then persists today, and He continues to face the same scorn He endured in the past.
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied” (Acts 9:1-5, NIV).
Paul was unknowingly persecuting Jesus, just as many today mistreat those who genuinely represent Him. Although Jesus was seen ascending to heaven (Acts 1:11), persecution akin to Paul’s is still evident. The key difference now is that Jesus’ name is exploited by charlatans more than ever before. Jesus, known as the Son of Man—a title signifying His physical presence—ascended to heaven with the expectation of returning at His second coming. However, Jesus, recognized as the Son of God, as confessed by Peter in Matthew 16:16, remains as present today as He was during His time on earth.
Many seek miracles rather than adhering to Jesus’ teachings. Charlatans take advantage of those searching for easy solutions to ordinary problems. Each time Jesus healed someone, He emphasized, “Your faith has healed you; go and sin no more” (Mark 5:34; Luke 17:19). These individuals were healed through their own faith. But what does this truly mean for those susceptible to being deceived in Jesus’ name? Unpacking this understanding is crucial to distinguishing genuine faith from deception.
Healing stems more from one’s own faith than from any external source. Jesus consistently conveyed a message advocating a different way of living. In essence, faith alleviates suffering, while a lack of faith invites it. Everything is caused by something; driving recklessly can lead to accidents, while taking precautions helps avoid life-threatening situations. A good father plans and works diligently to ensure an abundant harvest for his family’s well-being, unlike those who passively wait for miraculous gains without effort.
The teachings of Jesus can only be fully grasped when we apply reason to what He taught. Jesus was a profound philosopher whose focus was on human survival rather than on death. There is no need to deify Him in a way that obscures His message; His teachings remain relevant to all who are not trapped in delusion. He grounded His instruction on principles of survival.
Logically, a seed produces crops of its own kind. It seems strange to honor the source while looking down on its offspring. Some might revere Adam, who represents the origin of humanity’s downfall, instead of God, as true followers of Jesus understand it. Although Jesus is occasionally called the “second Adam” to illustrate a point, Scripture more appropriately describes Him as a brother.
“It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are of heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:44-48, NIV).
This passage reveals that Cain’s character mirrored his father Adam’s, whereas Abel’s character aligned more closely with his heavenly Father. The same holds true for those who follow Jesus, having been born anew. Unfortunately, deceitful individuals misuse Jesus’ name to manipulate others rather than to enlighten those who lack full understanding. As a result, many end up worshipping Jesus’ name without ever grasping His true teachings.
How can we help these misled individuals recognize the difference between worshipping Jesus and genuinely applying what He taught? This is no easy task, especially since the concept of “authority” has been wrongly glorified in the Christian community. Very few are willing to listen to voices that do not emanate from a recognized platform of “authority”—a term co-opted by dishonest people. This authoritarian notion resonates alongside humanity’s other most respected and sought-after commodity: monetary wealth.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24, NIV).
This is one of the most important Scriptures in the Christian Bible, yet it is often overlooked. The term “Master” signifies an absolute authority that cannot be shared. Some have twisted the idea of “authority” into structures that discourage ordinary people from thinking for themselves in matters of faith, effectively usurping God’s authority. Still, the desire for freedom has its roots in Christianity, whose very purpose is to free humanity from such sinful conditions.
As the saying goes, “He who pays the piper calls the tune.” Church funding is well-known; wealthy donors often gain honor and respect merely by displaying their financial support. While money is essential for sustaining church activities, the crucial question is who receives the glory in that arrangement? Jesus did not reject financial giving, but He encouraged a far more unconventional approach to generosity.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:1-4, NIV).
Many theologians hesitate to discuss the implications of such scriptures openly, fearing they might upset influential donors. This reluctance creates an opening for cunning opportunists to exploit faith for personal gain, persuading potential donors regardless of the truth. Society’s most respected figures are often wealthy capitalists who have historically supported these opportunists, thereby reinforcing their influence.
As a result, the truth is buried, deceivers are celebrated, and genuine voices are sidelined. Over time, parts of Christianity have shifted into profit-driven enterprises that sometimes prioritize money over the people they claim to serve. Yet, as Jesus promised, the Church He founded remains steadfast despite opposition—even if it is recognized by only a few.
Believing that any single denomination among the thousands that exist possesses the complete truth is misguided, though none would admit to possible dishonesty. Truth is not tied to denominations; rather, it resides with individual believers who strive to avoid false idols—an arduous task given humanity’s deep flaws and the fact that many sincerely hold false beliefs.
Let us revisit the concept of giving in secret, a principle Jesus presented in His teachings. The key lies in the distinction between the first Adam, who represents the physical, and the second Adam, who embodies the spiritual. Physical humans easily relate to the material world but often remain spiritually blind. Yet it is essential to recognize that humans are spiritual beings created in God’s image.
The motivations for giving differ starkly between physical and spiritual individuals. Physical beings are often driven by the desire for recognition and accolades, while spiritual persons—possessing unlimited energy and resources—do not identify with the physical realm. They transcend gender, race, and societal background.
One of the greatest advantages of giving secretly is that it helps keep pride in check. People descended from the first Adam may feel gratified when praised, a path that can lead to destructive behaviors, like Cain’s murder of his brother Abel. In contrast, spiritual individuals are not swayed by the praise of others; they are natural givers.
Consequently, God’s work cannot be financed solely by physical contributions. Those who give in secret often remain unidentified in the physical world. They belong to the lineage of the second Adam, spiritually connected to Jesus. Although they exist in physical form, these individuals are as distinctive as Jesus was.
Just as many in the past failed to recognize Jesus, many today struggle to identify God’s children, even when they live among them. Ironically, some misled Christians express love for a Jesus they do not truly know. While the real Jesus is still present, their susceptibility to deception stems from an inability to distinguish between spiritual and physical beings. The apostle John highlights this very issue, exposing the falsehoods that have infiltrated Christianity.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:20-21, NIV).
Jesus stated that it is impossible to serve two masters; one cannot worship both God and money. Admiring some while looking down on others is akin to treating some as masters and holding others in contempt, revealing a blindness to the God who dwells in every Christian. Only the deceiver and the deceived regard money as more important than human dignity.
The comfort that wealth provides is the primary factor that exposes Christian charlatans. No one takes pride in financing church programs if the giving is done in secret. It is easy for an ordinary person to assume that church leaders—summarily categorized into five groups: apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11)—are the ones who benefit.
The true Church of God is composed of members, each possessing a unique spiritual gift, as further described in Romans 12:3-8. Originally, God’s work was sustained by these leaders, and their position was not necessarily enviable. Peter and the other early apostles were known as Christ’s brothers. They faced gruesome deaths, just as Jesus did. Deacon Stephen was stoned to death. The price of being a brother of Jesus is not something to envy.
God’s work may not be appealing to those attached to the physical world. No rational person can admire Jesus, who was killed after being scorned and mocked by sinful people: “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One’” (Luke 23:35, NIV).
The experiences of Jesus’ brothers, as seen in the first apostles, were quite similar. This is something many of Jesus’ worshippers fail to recognize. They claim to love Jesus yet show disdain for Him through His physical brothers. Before He left, Jesus emphasized this truth to those who were following His teachings.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:37-40, NIV).
Notice that the “righteous” ones mentioned here are not necessarily the brothers of Jesus themselves. I emphasize this point because it highlights a common misunderstanding. The righteous are rewarded for caring for Jesus’ brothers—those who are often mocked in society, just as Jesus was ridiculed by those who criticized and dismissed Him.
It is important to clarify that Jesus’ brothers differ greatly from many prominent pastoral leaders today, who often depend on questionable tithes collected from their congregations. Unlike these pastors, who are rarely associated with hunger, lack of clothing, or imprisonment, Jesus’ brothers faced genuine hardship. This distinction is illuminated by comparing today’s secret givers to those who cared for Jesus’ brothers during His time.
“Do not take a purse or bag or sandals, and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you” (Luke 10:4-8, NIV).
People who share their gifts secretly, without seeking human approval, often reveal profound truths about the man that many Christians claim to follow. For those who genuinely believe they love Jesus, exploring these truths can be challenging because it requires distinguishing the real Jesus from the many impersonators. The same Jesus who promised never to abandon His disciples is still present today—though not among the self-important figures of this world. While many may overlook Him, He is clearly heard by those who prioritize truth over personality (John 10:26-27).
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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