A Catholic Priest, Rev. Peter Atsewe, on Sunday encouraged Christians to give whatever they could afford to God and people in spite of the economic recession.
Atsewe, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Gwarimpa, Abuja, gave this advice in his message at the 2016 Harvest and Bazaar.
According to the priest, it is quite obvious that things are now generally difficult and hard for most families.
“The economy is harsh; the tendency therefore, is to shy away from giving, even to God and that is quite human.
“But give as you can afford; in proportion to how God has blessed you, for we are mere stewards of God’s endowments, given to us in trust,” he said.
Atsewe, who buttressed his message with relevant Bible passages, said “every one shall therefore give as he is able, according to the blessings which the Lord God has given him.
He said the Lord had been merciful and good to the parishioners.
“It is natural to keep a date such as today; to assemble as one big family with our hearts full of appreciation to God.
“It is good to gather in thanksgiving and praise God, who has preserved and spared us to witness yet another harvest and bazaar,’’ the priest added.
In her message, the Chairman of the 2016 Harvest Planning Committee, Mrs Ngozi Agboegbulem, said harvest was a time to give thanks to God.
Agboegbulem said the parishioners had reasons to praise God, according to Psalm 9:2.
“Today, we are here to thank God for his wondrous deeds in our lives,’’ she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2016 celebration is: “Harvest of Mercy”.
The theme, which was chosen by the parishioners, coincided with the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis. (NAN)