Dito's mysterious death: a divine judgment or...?

A former deputy minister and regional commissioner, Ukiwaona Ditopile Mzuzuri, has died. He died yesterday morning at Hilux Hotel in Morogoro, where he was on a business tour. A lot of questions have been raised with regards to his unexpected death. Were the divine forces at work to judge the man who, to many common citizens (wananchi), appeared to have it all easy-going with the manslaughter charges he was facing? (The manslaughter charges were in connection with the fatal shooting of a commuter bus (daladala) driver in Dar es Salaam on November 4, 2006.)

No one can tell what went through Dito's mind when he pulled that trigger last year and took away the life of that young man. Was it unintentional or was it determined and driven by pride? Manslaughter or murder? We're told in Ps. 68:5 that "a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation." With this in mind, many are compelled to ask whether or not God took upon Himself vengeance to ensure that justice prevails even amidst a corrupted and unjust society? Only God, who reads the hearts of men, really knows! We neither have the prerogatives nor the authority to judge the late Ditopile's tragedy as a divine punishment or not. For even if it was murder, who knows whether this man had reconciled with his God? But his death certainly leaves us all with a very important lesson to embrace. And that is: neither money, nor power nor influence can buy you life.

King Nebucadnezzar spent 7 years in the wilderness living as a beast among the beasts of the wild, before he learned that his magnificent kingdom could not afford him the life nor respect that he desired - none but God. King Herod Agrippa in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, having exalted himself above the Most High, was consumed by worms . These men, and many more learned this all-important lesson from experience. And you and I reading this blog today have the opportunity to learn from them. So, what should we do? If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18). Your love for those around you and your love for God will earn you not just a happy and peaceful life here on earth, but also assurance of your inheritance in the world to come.

No fear!

How could this young man play around with a live serpent? "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" Phil 4:13.

Even the most poisonous and the most deadly serpent in the wilderness can be tamed. Nothing is impossible. As a friend of mine usually puts it, "even the word impossible says I-M-POSSIBLE". But the question is why do we often find ourselves fearful, distressed and despondent? When the serpents of an examination, financial crisis, joblessness, divorce, childlessness, disease and even death come sneaking into your home do you faint or to you stand firm? Which takes precedence: fear or faith?

Remember that if the most poisonous snakes can be tamed, God can tame your snakes of life too. Under the Shadow of the Almighty, you can rest assured that His grace is sufficient for you.

Entrepreneurship in the Christian Context

Executive Summary
(please, email phidza@gmail.com for the Powerpoint presentation)

Key text: Eccl. 11:1-6

Entrepreneurship - is the practice of starting new organizations or revitalizing mature organizations, particularly new businesses generally in response to identified opportunities.

Advantages:

1. Self-employment offering more job satisfaction and flexibility of workforce
2. Employment for others, often better jobs
3. Development of more industries, especially in rural areas or regions disadvantaged by economic changes, for example due to globalisation effects
4. Encouragement of the processing of local materials into finished goods for domestic consumption as well as for export
5. Healthy competition thus encourages higher quality products
6. New markets
7. Development of entrepreneurial qualities and attitudes among potential entrepreneurs to bring about significant changes in the rural areas
8. Emigration of talent may be stopped by a better domestic entrepreneurship climate
9. Income generation and increased economy (i.e personal financial gain)
10. Competition -> Intellectual stimulation -> Development & Income -> THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL WORK

Qualities of an Entrepreneur

1. Courageous (takes risks)
2. Enthusiastic
3. Strategic
4. Persistent
5. Determined
6. Positive
7. Decisive
8. Patient

Is Entrepreneurship Biblical? Matt. 25:14-30.

King Solomon – an Entrepreneur. 1 Kings 9:26-28, 1 Kings 10:14,15

Matters of Consideration

1. Diligence (Prov. 6:6-11, Prov. 20:13, Prov. 24:30-31)
2. Honesty (Prov.13:11, Prov. 15:27)

So, as far as Stewardship is concerned, what is Entrepreneurship really about?

Entrepreneurship is about maximizing your time, talents and treasures for the benefit of all…

“The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.” Prov 11:26

The Industry lacks integrity and therefore, the Church needs Entrepreneurs to fill in the gaps:

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men-- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” --Ellen G. White, Education pg.57

The Church needs Entrepreneurs in the following industries:

- Media and Publishing

- Food industry

- Engineering (IT & Construction)

- Legal

- Humanities (ADRA, HIV-AIDS etc etc)

- Education

- ….and many more!!!

Concluding remarks:

“Commit your works to the LORD and your thoughts will be established.”

Prov. 16:3