BY RHONDA THOMPSON

THE SPECTACULAR VIEWS from Ellerton Wesleyan Holiness Church were not enough to distract from a lesson in how to avoid the crippling "god of money".

Sitting on a ridge in Ellerton, St George, and looking over the swaying cane tops out toward the Grantley Adams Airport and Bridgetown Harbour, the church was indeed "an excellent place to be", as its slogan states.

Not only for its cool country atmosphere, but for the good and filling spiritual food served there.

The congregation moved to this building more than six years ago, and under the leadership of Rev. Haynesley Griffith, from 2004, has continued to nurture a facility with all the amenities of a modern church.

Before Rev. Griffith got into his sermon for the 8 a.m. service, two Sundays ago, it was time for praising God in song. The congregation spent about half an hour on its feet giving glory and honour to God's name, led by several vocalists and musicians on electronic guitar, drums and keyboard.

That morning there were three reasons to celebrate. Congratulations were in order for Rev. Griffith who was recently certified by the American Association of Christian Therapists as a professional pastoral counsellor.

The preacher and his wife Dolores presented tokens to former pastor Rev. Dermott Lawrence and his wife Hyrisence, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

Then Pastor Livingston Trotman held an impressive trophy aloft, evidence of the Central Zone's victory at
Wesleyan Youth Sports on May Day.

In his sermon, Rev. Griffith asked his congregation of around 250: "Are you serving money, or the maker of money?"

In these times when the greed of even millionaire top corporate executives around the world is being exposed, according to him, this message was fitting.

He used Matthew 6:24, "you cannot serve God and money", and I Timothy 6:6-12, "the love of money is the root of all evil", to make his point.

Giving detailed instruction using powerpoint, he told those listening attentively that although money was necessary to meet certain needs, "if you allow it to become your master, you will be controlled by its power . . . and it will never return that love".

But if it "becomes your servant" it can't consume you, since "when you love something, it consumes a lot of your time and energy".

One interesting point was that material things were not necessarily blessings from God. Here, he spoke of King David's reference in Psalms to "ungodly people thriving". Hard work by honest means, he said, resulted in God's blessings, not taking advantage of other people for gain.

"There are times when we experience lack, and other times we may be full; but in both instances we should give thanks."

Rev. Griffith continued: "The God of money will drive you into temptation, deception, seduction and fragmentation. It will suck you in and create in you a massive cesspool of evil."

He encouraged his congregation to flee from money's dangerous power; follow the path of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness; and fight with a divine purpose.

"Don't be too fast to get rich," he emphasised. "Your future with the one true God is secure . . . Allow eternal life to be your benchmark."