HOLISTIC CONFLICT RESOLUTION
By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
Luke 12:13 AMP "Someone from the crowd said to Him, Master, order my brother to divide the inheritance and share it with me. "
The clamor for self-determination is at an all-time high globally and this is motivated by the desire for communities to have control over the exploration and exploitation of their commonwealth. The public outcry has been that of resource control with many secessionist movements threatening fire and brimstone .
This was the situation between the two brothers in Luke 12.13, they had received an inheritance from their father with one probably having an unfair advantage over the other. It is common for parents to will their properties based on the sentimental value attached to each child. But it is not so with God, the scriptures says we are joint-heirs with Christ.
It was the selfish disposition by one of them that informed the request by the other for an eqitable sharing of the inheritance.Jesus knew that conceding to the request of being an arbiter between the brothers would be an endorsement of the ownership mentality over God's Commonwealth principle. This therefore, informed His reply to that request "And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs."
Over 90% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP )is controlled by less than 10 % of the world's population, that leaves over 70% of the over seven billion people on earth living below the poverty datum line and the reason behind the current global political and social instability . The tendency to be concerned only with one's self without thinking of others is what is behind the crisis in communities.
Self-centeredness is the absence of love for others and consideration for their needs. The scriptures says in James 2:15-16 AMP "If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day, And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?" The disparity among church goers and the social classification that has crept into the church will be eliminated when we begin to genuinely cater for each other and it will eliminate the sense of marginalization among members of the same community.
Hoarding generally leads to poverty, when we hold back what is meant to be given for the sustenance of the community is a manifestation of a lack of faith in the lord , the scriptures says Proverbs 11:24 AMP "There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.." Our giving is a demonstration of our love for God and confidence in His ability to provide.
Genuine Christianity is sacrificial and doesn't consider any thing as it's own. The scriptures says that the earth belongs to God and everything in it. The resources in our possession are for the purpose of the spread of the gospel. Selfishness hinders the spread of the gospel thereby giving Satan the advantage of taking more people captive , the scriptures says in Philippians 2:21 "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. " selfishness is behind many failed relationships and the unwillingness by many to commit themselves to a righteous course. 2Timothy 3:1 says "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," this is behind the failure of the world's economy as fewer persons enjoy opportunities meant for the majority.
Most of these persons profess the Christian faith and there actions brings disrepute to the name of the lord. The inequality caused by selfishness leads to wars , 1 Timothy 6: 9 -10 says "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Selfish christians misinterpret the gospel to suit their self-centeredness and it's the reason why many cannot experience the power of God. (Romans 10:17).
A lot of Christian parents in a bid to keep up with the world have lost credibility by allowing their children have their way. Eli was a highly respected priest in Israel but soon fell through the selfishness of his sons (1 samuel 2 :22-25 ). They were engrossed in sexual sins and plundered the offerings meant for the temple . This led to a rebellion by worshipers and the eventual death of many including Eli and his sons. The selfishness of a husband could bring about disaster upon a family. When one partner in a marriage tithes and the other does not, it exposes the family to the negative effect of self-centeredness. The main reason why we are admonished to tithe is to destroy selfishness ( Deut 14:23) Spousal abuse is predominant among non-tithing spouses.
Unselfishness is the key to greatness . The world is seeking for unselfish men and women to be put in places of political leadership. Abraham demonstrated his unselfishness when he gave up part of his estate to his nephew Lot for peace to reign ( Genesis.13:9 ) God rewards our unselfishness through miraculous breakthroughs. Psalm 34:9-10 AMP "O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing." As you read this receive grace for uncommon help in Jesus name.
Prayer/counseling +2348098536911,+2348035536911
Email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Luke 12:13 AMP "Someone from the crowd said to Him, Master, order my brother to divide the inheritance and share it with me. "
The clamor for self-determination is at an all-time high globally and this is motivated by the desire for communities to have control over the exploration and exploitation of their commonwealth. The public outcry has been that of resource control with many secessionist movements threatening fire and brimstone .
This was the situation between the two brothers in Luke 12.13, they had received an inheritance from their father with one probably having an unfair advantage over the other. It is common for parents to will their properties based on the sentimental value attached to each child. But it is not so with God, the scriptures says we are joint-heirs with Christ.
It was the selfish disposition by one of them that informed the request by the other for an eqitable sharing of the inheritance.Jesus knew that conceding to the request of being an arbiter between the brothers would be an endorsement of the ownership mentality over God's Commonwealth principle. This therefore, informed His reply to that request "And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs."
Over 90% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP )is controlled by less than 10 % of the world's population, that leaves over 70% of the over seven billion people on earth living below the poverty datum line and the reason behind the current global political and social instability . The tendency to be concerned only with one's self without thinking of others is what is behind the crisis in communities.
Self-centeredness is the absence of love for others and consideration for their needs. The scriptures says in James 2:15-16 AMP "If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day, And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?" The disparity among church goers and the social classification that has crept into the church will be eliminated when we begin to genuinely cater for each other and it will eliminate the sense of marginalization among members of the same community.
Hoarding generally leads to poverty, when we hold back what is meant to be given for the sustenance of the community is a manifestation of a lack of faith in the lord , the scriptures says Proverbs 11:24 AMP "There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.." Our giving is a demonstration of our love for God and confidence in His ability to provide.
Genuine Christianity is sacrificial and doesn't consider any thing as it's own. The scriptures says that the earth belongs to God and everything in it. The resources in our possession are for the purpose of the spread of the gospel. Selfishness hinders the spread of the gospel thereby giving Satan the advantage of taking more people captive , the scriptures says in Philippians 2:21 "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. " selfishness is behind many failed relationships and the unwillingness by many to commit themselves to a righteous course. 2Timothy 3:1 says "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," this is behind the failure of the world's economy as fewer persons enjoy opportunities meant for the majority.
Most of these persons profess the Christian faith and there actions brings disrepute to the name of the lord. The inequality caused by selfishness leads to wars , 1 Timothy 6: 9 -10 says "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Selfish christians misinterpret the gospel to suit their self-centeredness and it's the reason why many cannot experience the power of God. (Romans 10:17).
A lot of Christian parents in a bid to keep up with the world have lost credibility by allowing their children have their way. Eli was a highly respected priest in Israel but soon fell through the selfishness of his sons (1 samuel 2 :22-25 ). They were engrossed in sexual sins and plundered the offerings meant for the temple . This led to a rebellion by worshipers and the eventual death of many including Eli and his sons. The selfishness of a husband could bring about disaster upon a family. When one partner in a marriage tithes and the other does not, it exposes the family to the negative effect of self-centeredness. The main reason why we are admonished to tithe is to destroy selfishness ( Deut 14:23) Spousal abuse is predominant among non-tithing spouses.
Unselfishness is the key to greatness . The world is seeking for unselfish men and women to be put in places of political leadership. Abraham demonstrated his unselfishness when he gave up part of his estate to his nephew Lot for peace to reign ( Genesis.13:9 ) God rewards our unselfishness through miraculous breakthroughs. Psalm 34:9-10 AMP "O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing." As you read this receive grace for uncommon help in Jesus name.
Prayer/counseling +2348098536911,+2348035536911
Email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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