BUILDING STRONGER TIES
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. "
This was the situation between the two brothers in Luke 12.13, they had received an inheritance from their father with one probably having a larger share than the other. It is common for parents to will their properties based on sentimental values 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 the brother’s that informed the request by the other for the sharing of the inheritance.Jesus knew that conceding to the request of being an arbiter between the brothers would be an endorsement of self-centeredness . 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." Satisfaction in life isn't achieved through material wealth.
Self-centeredness is the absence of love for others and being inconsiderate to 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 in society will be eliminated when we begin to genuinely cater for each other and the sense of marginalization among members of the same community will be diminished..
Hoarding generally leads to poverty, when we hold back what is meant to be given for the sustenance of the community ,we lose faith for the blessing of multiplication. This is a manifestation of the 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.." Benevolence is a demonstration of our confidence in God's provisions .
Genuine Christianity is sacrificial and doesn't consider any thing as it's own.The earth belongs to God and everything in it. The resources in our possession are for the propagation of the gospel : selfishness hinders this and gives Satan the advantage , Philippians 2:21says "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. " the selfish fellow lacks the capacity to commit to a righteous course, they cannot keep a relationship 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,"
The selfish are alien to the power of God ,they find it extremely hard to receive the truth of the gospel and faith for the miraculous comes from hearing the gospel(Romans 10:17).
Selfishness is learned from childhood ;children who are often allowed to have their way grow up to become very selfish spouses . Eli was a highly respected priest in Israel but 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 or wife could bring disaster upon a family. Through the ceremonial giving of the tenth -part (tithe) we learn to destroy selfishness and increase in faith (Deut. 14:23) it also helps in overcoming bitterness in relationships Ceremonial tithing predates the church.The giving of the ceremonial tithe is part of African culture , it is in the form of oblations before meals and it was the binding force behind communities.Through ceremonial tithing Abraham demonstrated his selflessness before God. We should prayerfully ask God how to use what has been committed to our care.The new testament church is not under the old testament law of tithing but has something similar in 1Cor.16:1-3 We are obligated to set aside a portion of money for missionary purpose, this was to be given to church leaders and it is aimed at eradicating poverty among God's people.
Unselfishness is the key to greatness .God is seeking for unselfish men and women to grant access to great resources 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 receive Jesus Christ as lord and saviour and read this now receive grace for uncommon help in Jesus name.
Prayer/counseling +2348098536911,+2348035536911
Email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Hoarding generally leads to poverty, when we hold back what is meant to be given for the sustenance of the community ,we lose faith for the blessing of multiplication. This is a manifestation of the 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.." Benevolence is a demonstration of our confidence in God's provisions .
Genuine Christianity is sacrificial and doesn't consider any thing as it's own.The earth belongs to God and everything in it. The resources in our possession are for the propagation of the gospel : selfishness hinders this and gives Satan the advantage , Philippians 2:21says "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. " the selfish fellow lacks the capacity to commit to a righteous course, they cannot keep a relationship 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,"
The selfish are alien to the power of God ,they find it extremely hard to receive the truth of the gospel and faith for the miraculous comes from hearing the gospel(Romans 10:17).
Selfishness is learned from childhood ;children who are often allowed to have their way grow up to become very selfish spouses . Eli was a highly respected priest in Israel but 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 or wife could bring disaster upon a family. Through the ceremonial giving of the tenth -part (tithe) we learn to destroy selfishness and increase in faith (Deut. 14:23) it also helps in overcoming bitterness in relationships Ceremonial tithing predates the church.The giving of the ceremonial tithe is part of African culture , it is in the form of oblations before meals and it was the binding force behind communities.Through ceremonial tithing Abraham demonstrated his selflessness before God. We should prayerfully ask God how to use what has been committed to our care.The new testament church is not under the old testament law of tithing but has something similar in 1Cor.16:1-3 We are obligated to set aside a portion of money for missionary purpose, this was to be given to church leaders and it is aimed at eradicating poverty among God's people.
Unselfishness is the key to greatness .God is seeking for unselfish men and women to grant access to great resources 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 receive Jesus Christ as lord and saviour and read this now receive grace for uncommon help in Jesus name.
Prayer/counseling +2348098536911,+2348035536911
Email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
