Ransom Hill Ministries International

Why is the Church increasingly under the world’s scrutiny today? It’s because, rather than showcasing Jesus Christ, the Church often portrays itself as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. By flaunting riches, it shifts the focus from the gospel to materialism, leading to misunderstanding and mistrust. Consider this scenario: if a wealthy man approaches someone in need and declares, “I am a multimillionaire; God has blessed me,” the natural expectation would be for him to give generously to meet that need. If, instead, he turns around and asks for money, he would likely be seen as insincere or even deceitful. Wealth implies the capacity to give, not to demand. This principle is deeply rooted in Scripture and modeled by both Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul. Jesus’ teaching consistently challenged the wealthy to give: To the rich young man, He said, “Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matthew 19:21). To the rich farme...

  FRIENDSHIP: The Acid Test Friendship represents the pinnacle of human relationships. While family members, coworkers, classmates, and even church members may share bonds with you, they are not automatically your friends. Friendship is a relationship you intentionally cultivate. You hold the power to elevate any connection to the level of friendship. For this reason, your spouse should ideally also be your closest friend—a choice you’ve made with intention. A friend doesn’t have to be flawless—after all, none of us are. A true friend, however, is someone who understands your weaknesses yet stands by you, offering encouragement and support to help you overcome them. They don’t abandon you in moments of difficulty. Instead, they lovingly confront your flaws, not to shame you, but to help you grow. True friendship is tested when you willingly accept this feedback and make efforts to change. Refusing to confront your weaknesses when challenged by a friend is, in essence, rejecting the...