BEN AHANONU
*Today, we live in a world that is heavily influenced by social media. Everywhere we look on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and* *Facebook, we see people displaying expensive cars, luxury clothes, and beautiful homes. These social media highlights create a false picture of reality. They* *make it look like everyone is succeeding overnight. Because of this constant pressure to show off material success, the* *desire to “make it big” has become an all-consuming obsession. Sadly, both the young and the old are increasingly falling into a* *dangerous trap. This trap is financial desperation. People are no longer content with growing their wealth slowly and honestly* *. Instead, there is an intense craving for instant wealth. This rush for quick money has blinded many individuals to the severe dangers of* *seeking shortcuts. Out of desperation, some have gone down very dark and destructive paths. They engage in internet fraud, deep political corruption, and even horrific money rituals. However, we must* *understand a fundamental truth: true, lasting prosperity cannot be rushed. It requires patience* *, hard work, and, above all, alignment with the divine timing of the Almighty God.*
The temptation to take shortcuts always stems from a big lie. This is the false promise of easy wealth. Many people mistakenly believe that seeking power or riches outside of God will grant them a life of freedom. They look at secret societies, occult rituals, or dishonest business practices as easy doors to comfort. But the reality is starkly different and deeply terrifying. Nothing good ever comes from Satan and his fallen demons. Whatever material gain a person gets through dark or fraudulent means is never a free gift. It always comes with hidden, destructive terms and conditions. The devil does not give free layout plans for wealth. He always demands a heavy payment that the seeker never anticipated. This payment might be your peace of mind, your physical health, your family members, or even your own life. It is a terrible exchange. It promises you a temporary palace but delivers a permanent spiritual prison.
To understand this better, we can look at the real-life confession of Pastor Joel Adedeji, a cleric based in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. In a candid interview, Pastor Adedeji opened up about a dark chapter from his younger days. Desperate for a better life and searching for greener pastures, he visited a herbalist for a money ritual. The ritualist gave him highly disturbing instructions: he was told to have sexual relations with a young woman he deeply loved, wipe her private parts with a white cloth, and bring it back. Pastor Adedeji admitted that he followed these dark steps. Soon after, an unexpected flow of money truly began to come. However, the fake wealth came with heavy, hidden conditions. The herbalist warned him that despite having this ritual money, he must never use it to build a house or buy a car for himself. He enjoyed the financial benefits for only about four to five years before everything came crashing down. On May 26, 2001, he was involved in a horrific road accident. In a strange twist of fate, the car that struck him actually belonged to him—it was a vehicle being driven by someone he had lent money to purchase it. The impact was devastating. Pastor Adedeji was rushed to the hospital, and by the time he woke up the next day, he had lost one of his legs to amputation. His quick wealth could not save his limb or give him peace. Today, he uses his story to warn young people that the devil’s promises are a trap. This is exactly what Jesus directly warned about in the Bible in Mark 8:36, when He asked: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
*In sharp contrast to the toxic, conditional gains of the dark world, the blessings of the Lord God Almighty are pure and beautiful.* *God is a loving Father.* He does not give gifts to trap His children, nor does He demand horrific sacrifices, human lives, or body parts in exchange for comfort. When God decides to bless you, that blessing comes wrapped in absolute peace. There are no terrible terms and conditions attached to divine prosperity. You do not have to look over your shoulder in fear, and you do not have to worry about an untimely death. The Christian scripture makes this crystal clear in Proverbs 10:22, which states: “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” This means that when God elevates you, your wealth is clean, joyful, and safe. Furthermore, we must realize that the source of everything truly good in this life begins and ends with God. If a financial breakthrough requires you to compromise your character, cheat your neighbour, lie on your taxes, or sacrifice human lives, it is absolutely not from Heaven. As written in James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” God does not change His mind, and His gifts do not turn into curses later on.
*Escaping the trap of desperation requires a complete shift in our mindset* *. We must leave the corrupt values of the world behind and return to the foundational values of honest labour and patience* *. Modern society may glorify overnight success and celebrate people whose wealth* *cannot be explained, but God honours diligence.* Hard work is a divine principle. It is not just about making money; it is about building the character required to sustain wealth once it arrives. When you build wealth slowly through honest work, you learn discipline, wisdom, and maturity. If you get wealth instantly without character, that wealth will eventually destroy you. Instead of running ahead of God out of envy or the fear of lagging behind our peers, we are called to wait for our appointed time. Desperation usually stems from a hidden fear—the fear that God has forgotten you or that time is running out. But God operates on a perfect timeline. He is never too early, and He is never too late. He knows your exact needs, your struggles, and your pain. He is fully capable of elevating you to heights you never imagined, but He waits until you are spiritually and mentally ready so that the elevation will not kill you. The Bible reassures us of the incredible power of divine timing in Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
*Wealth acquired through desperation, greed, and shortcuts fades away very quickly* *. Even if the money stays, it leaves a long, dark trail of regret, broken families, and spiritual death behind it. True success is never measured by the abundance of material things you own or the number of expensive cars in your garage. True success is a life lived in total peace, unshakable integrity, and right standing with God.* Let the young and old alike choose the path of patience today. Say no to internet scams, say no to corruption, and completely reject any form of dark rituals. Work hard at your job or business, protect your good name, and trust the Almighty God completely. Your appointed time of elevation will surely come. And when God finally blesses you, that blessing will be permanent, joyful, and completely free of sorrow.
*Prince Ben AHANONU*
Gospel Evangelist