LIBERALITY ,AVARICE AND PARSIMONY (PART 3)


By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi 
Eccl 5:13-15 “ There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.  Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one's children. We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can't take our riches with us.”
    This scripture is a reminder of the reality all humans must face; our riches will be of no use to us at death and in the afterlife :this is the vanity of parsimony. Parsimony is the extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources. Nothing frustrates the spread of the gospel like parsimonious, religious Christians. These persons have more love for material wealth than they do for the Lord. They have built their security around money and find it hard to experience true love. You must be able to hate money to love God –we cannot love both equally-and our love for Him is demonstrated through love for one another. Thus, parsimony is the reason behind many failed relationships and marriages.  
      Parsimony and avarice (the desire for excessive gain) are closely related and are a terrible combination.  The presence of parsimonious Christians in a church gives Satan the advantage over that ministry. One cannot truly make meaningful progress by being parsimonious. A man’s wealth is not measured by how much money he has but how cordial his relationship is with God and the degree of peace and joy in his family. The kingdom of God is not about having exotic dinners but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, this is how true wealth and riches is measured.  Prov 11:24 TLB Says “ It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.” 
    Parsimonious folks are under the illusion that they are the true owners of the resources in their possession but in reality God is .Storing up riches results in pains (Eccl.5:13) parsimonious folks often oppose acts of generosity towards God’s servants (Matt.26:7-8) and it brings about  self afflicted curses (Prov.28:27).  In the old testament, worship was hindered by the activities of parsimonious brethren (Neh.13:10,1 Chron29:7)  and it grieves the Spirit of grace  Isa 43:24 KJV says “Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities”  the consequences of parsimony and avarice are not farfetched . They result in disobedience and rebellion in families (1Sam.15:9,) proliferation of criminal gangs and robbers in the society (1Kings 20:6) Lack of emotional feelings and insensitivity to true love (1Kings21:2) oppression (Ge.31:41) Lack of moral principles (2Ki.5:20) and mockery (Lu.16:14)
   Parsimony leads to painful disappointments in marriages due to a lack of fulfillment (Ecc5:10) it results in unwise decisions which negatively impacts on the family (Je17:11) also backsliding and rejection of Jesus Christ (1Tim.6:10) loneliness and emotional depression (Ja 5:3) Rev 3:17 TLB "You say, 'I am rich, with everything I want; I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that spiritually you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  We should allow God’s word touch our hearts and ask Him to open eyes to the purpose of the things committed to our care.
Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace for uncommon breakthroughs and access to the secret treasures of the land and your kingdom in Jesus name .

Prayer+2348098536911,+2348035536911 email:michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
pics credit. timesofsandiego. com/pixabay     

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