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‘Money has become our god’- Bishop John I. Cline

Pastor John I. Cline in a Facebook live post today, Thursday, August 1, 2024, spoke to the trials and tribulations from enslavement to freedom which is being celebrated today. He however warned that as prosperity is ever increasing for the people, godliness seems to be decreasing. Photo: Facebook
As a people, crime, violence and idleness must not become the norm and something that everyone is comfortable with, Pastor Cline continued. Photo: Team of Reporters
As a people, crime, violence and idleness must not become the norm and something that everyone is comfortable with, Pastor Cline continued. Photo: Team of Reporters
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI- As the Virgin Islands celebrates Emancipation Day, John I Cline, Pastor at New Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom has warned that as a people “we have slipped away from God, money has become our god”.

Pastor Cline, in a Facebook live post on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, spoke to the trials and tribulations from enslavement to freedom, which is being celebrated today. He warned; however, that as prosperity is ever-increasing for the people, godliness seems to be decreasing. 

Money won’t solve our problems- Pastor Cline 

He warned his viewers saying, “We think we don’t need God but we need God, money don’t make you happy and money certainly is not going to solve our social problem, our crime problem. We need to go back to our godly ways.”

Pastor Cline also shared the view that many Virgin Islanders are raising families who do not attend church. He said when church becomes “an option for you, it becomes a non-essential for your children and your grandchildren”. 

Children raised without a godly foundation he claimed are being left for the “prison system to raise”.

Bishop Cline's comments come on the heels of recent gun violence in the territory.

Slipping away from being godly, slipping politically

“I want to remind us today that righteousness exalts a nation, the Bible says, but sin is a reproach to any people. Our sinful ways, our ungodly ways, our forsaking God has become a reproach to these Virgin Islands,” Pastor Cline warned. 

He said not only are Virgin Islanders slipping away from their foundation, which is being godly, but are also slipping politically. 

“Partisan politics takes precedence over everything else. People’s party is more important than their religion these days. That’s what happens when election time comes. People you worship with will turn against you just for their party,” Pastor Cline explained. 

These things need to stop, he said as “we were never there”. 

'Cry out to God'

Pastor Cline pleaded for a return to that godly foundation. He said he is not speaking only in his capacity as a Pastor or Bishop but as a “concerned citizen [and] nation builder of these Virgin Islands”.

Pastor Cline also said the next economic strategy, or political party, or next election is not enough to build the nation without rebuilding the godly foundation which is essential to realising the full potential of the VI.

“I am begging to you, for us to cry out to God…and ask him to have mercy. Cry out to him earnestly, cry out to the God of our salvation, the God of our weary years, the God who has brought us a mighty, mighty long way,” he said. 

30 Responses to “‘Money has become our god’- Bishop John I. Cline”

  • YASSSS (01/08/2024, 16:01) Like (58) Dislike (2) Reply
    Finally speaking some sense!

    You as a leader and the many others have been worshipping this money God for a very long time. Money is power and it dictates who thrive and who falls.

    AMEN TO THE PASTOR FOR HIS CONFESSION!

    FIX HIM JESUS!
    • Madussa (02/08/2024, 10:51) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
      Because now when a person has everything he needs, he wants others to STOP! Very HYPOCRITICAL! This is why I follow NO person. I pray and talk to GOD on my own at home. I'm blessed to have life like everyone else on this planet.
  • What!! (01/08/2024, 16:41) Like (44) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yourself included.
  • local boy (01/08/2024, 16:46) Like (4) Dislike (75) Reply
    Bishop Cline you need to come and run for House of Assembly. Our priorities are upside down.
  • jack in the box (01/08/2024, 17:05) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    He will know best
  • True (01/08/2024, 17:27) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Totally agree with you Bishop, Also those who are coming comes with Ipad, Kindle and Phone so they are still not hearing the word of God
  • Wow. (01/08/2024, 17:32) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well said. Personal testimony. 'Money has become our God". Inclusive. Like the fact he didn't leave himself out. There lies the root of all our problems..
  • shm (01/08/2024, 18:31) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ok Pastor. I will stop throwing collection because I throw thides already.
  • musa (01/08/2024, 18:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok ...never hear this preaching before ...
  • ................................. (01/08/2024, 19:16) Like (5) Dislike (34) Reply
    John is a good guy
  • WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING ❓️ (01/08/2024, 19:27) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    EVEN OUR HEAD COACH , HAS BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR YEARS ACCORDING TO HIS BRAGGING ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AS A RODEO PLAYER / THERE ARE 3 OF YOU WE HEARD ( CSC ) SAY HE IS FRIGGED - WE ALL KNOW HOW - WE HEARD THE QUIET ONE - TURNBULL SAY OUR HANDS ARE CLEAN , CAN YOU TELL US WHERE HE'S COMING FROM ❓️ AND WHEN YOU DONE PLEASE TELL US THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH ABOUT
    YOURSELF AND THE OTHERS ■ WE HAVE EXECUTION STYLE MURDERS THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON HERE FOR YEARS / WE HAVE GUNS BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE BVI ILLIGALALLY FOR YEARS / WE HAVE DRUGS THAT WAS ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH THE BVI FOR YEARS , WELL DON'T TALK ABOUT CORRUPTION WITHIN THE GOVERNMENTS - FOR DONKEY YEARS , THE BVI WAS SOLD TO THE CARTELS , WE EVEN HAVE THE HERO'S PICTURE IN THE HOA - LETS HEAR YOU SHOUT OUT THE GOSPEL TRUTH LIKE WHEN YOU ON THE PULPIT CALLING OUT ( GOD'S ) NAME
  • NB (01/08/2024, 20:10) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Says the leader of the pack. Money is ayo God fuh real.
  • send help (01/08/2024, 21:28) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's always those who don't have any sorta financial pressure talking out their a$%.......try Living from check to check and u will understand why everything for some of us is all about money.... we hav no choice but to be focused on money cause u won't feed our kids nor pay our bills that we already have hell paying
    • @send help (02/08/2024, 07:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Living in poverty and tough times actually is supposed to force creativity out of people, that leads to innovation and invention in society which in turn makes life easier for people. The problem is most people don’t read, they don’t learn or they don’t have any moral compass so instead of being creative and innovative they simply turn to crime like the same dumb puppets on tv and social media tells them they should do. On top of that you have people like yourself who continue the narrative that poverty breeds crime, which is only true if the people in poverty are simple minded, lazy and or have no morals. Sometimes you have those who are smart, hard working and with morals but they fail to let go their friends and family who don’t and still end up stuck or they simply don’t know how to UNITE with those in poverty that share those qualities.
  • Really (02/08/2024, 05:53) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man is dumb. Let me get this straight you preach the word of God but you collect money the root of all evil. Yep keep worshipping the one eye God in your dollar bill in the Illuminati pyaramid. No way are you a good man and your in the Lodge Wow. You can fool the sheeps but not me. You shouldn't collect money if you preach the word of the Father. Knowledge should be free airhead
  • guy hill (02/08/2024, 05:58) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The crime problem in the BVI is a BVI People problem. Wait till it hit your family. You will run to the pulpit asking God for a new annoitment. This crime situation is real people.
    • Stealth (02/08/2024, 14:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      True, the high violent and property crime is real but until the root causes are found and rooted it will continue. It will take the whole community working together, collectively, cooperatively and collaboratively to arrest crime..See something say something do something sounds good but the BVI is a small place and people are afraid of the consequences of coming forward. The leaking like sieve force is not helpful. It was take strong leadership to lead the crime fighting effort.
  • cap (02/08/2024, 07:03) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    I’m sorry I didn’t realise that prayers put a roof over my head, food on my table, gas in my car, provided health insurance, sends my kids to school and puts clothes on their back. Oh wait, prayers don’t do any of those things, working hard pays for all of it. Besides, churches are some of the biggest money grabbers in society today.
  • LOL (02/08/2024, 07:09) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pot calling the Kettle bottom black mehson lmaoooo
  • @ where have you been living ? (02/08/2024, 07:22) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    he is only interested is saving his seeds, especially now , since request was made for them , to feed a pit bull named Trump
  • Local (02/08/2024, 08:16) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    money money was able to have a big home and your BMW'S. I never see this in a suzuki for sure. So cut the nonsense.
  • The Usurper (02/08/2024, 08:24) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Says the FALSE PROPHET and CHARLETON who owns several exoctic vehicles and big house.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (02/08/2024, 10:05) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    you are not homeless and jobless and penniless sleeping outside on the sidewalk and on the streets. you are not poor and needy and downtrodden lying down outside sleeping on the sidewalk on the street. jesus was not poor and homeless and jobless and penniless.
  • ausar (02/08/2024, 10:33) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great news, however, I don't see this guy selling all that he has, to give to the poor!

    This is what Jesus instructed the rich to do. You are rich, Mr. Cline, and you say, you follow Jesus, therefore, do exactly as Christ commands:

    I'll wait to read of this in the news..

    Maybe, then, I'll lend an ear!
  • TD Jakes (02/08/2024, 14:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yo big pastor breddah! You don’t feel the pain and suffering of the majority because you and you ilk have done extremely well off of multiple governments contracts and favorable conditions for personal wealth creation.

    Makes me sick to the stomach hearing you spew your mouth about things you have never had to endure. You willl never be in HOA and I suspect that you don’t care either way once your own personal bank account maintains its 7 figures status. You all March for personal reasons when your bottom line might be affected. The general public can see through your smoke and mirrors. Repent dude!
  • hmm (02/08/2024, 15:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Your god, not mine.
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (02/08/2024, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is saying )> my people let holler out at ya'll , know some of you will get vex when I talk about money , and some will talk about my wealth ~ but Don't watch my style * am blessed * ya'll aiN'T
  • Eldread (03/08/2024, 09:28) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    But bishop from day one is the money that create this church starting with Columbus giving us white Jesus and thief our gold and ancestors, all churches are really larg global corporation raking in the dollar almighty that they fool the sheep about a piece of real estate in the sky, humans has been working and paying for that property throughout their life time and don't get it, but the church executive enjoy heaven on earth with fine living from the money they forcefully extract from the people.
  • Saddened. (04/08/2024, 08:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine all those people being led like lambs to the slaughter down there at New Life Baptist. God have mercy in them.


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