Those who occupy positions of authority have been asked to work for the common good at all times over and above personal and mundane considerations. This advice was handed down recently by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins. Archbishop Martins says like the story of Solomon in the Bible, leaders must be guided on how to make the right choices and discern between good and evil by seeking for wisdom from God. In his words “Solomon did not ask God for anything personal, for his own personal good. He did not ask for riches for himself; he did not seek to destroy his enemies in order to keep himself in power, he simply asked for what will benefit everyone together.” The Prelate lamented what he described as the shameful exchanges and puerile talk between Ministers and Members of the National Assembly over the 774,000 jobs and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) probe.
He added that they should learn some hard lessons from Solomon- the wisdom of seeking for the common good as against private interests. The welfare of all, he noted, can only be guaranteed “If everyone has something to eat, houses to lay their heads, life and property are secure and safe, and job opportunities for people to earn a decent living.” Only then it would be well between the rich and the poor, he emphasized. According to the Archbishop, Solomon made the right choice just as the Scripture says: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things would be added unto you.” He warned that those who chose power and go after wealth and pleasure without the wisdom of God are bound to fall, giving the examples of tyrant rulers in history and celebrities who met their waterloo at the peak of their reign. Let the wisdom of God from the Scriptures, teachings of the Church, lives of the Saints guide your conduct and you will not fall but enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, he advised.
