PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARDS MEETING NEEDS.


By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi

"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others." 1 Thessalonians 4:11‭-‬12 NLTBible

   The lord has promised to bless the works of the hands of the righteous (psalms 1:1-3). Faith in God requires very hard work for "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone"  James2:17 The word 'works' is the Greek 'ergon' it means to  toil (hard work) business, employment, that which any one is occupied that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opposite to that which is less than work. ( Thayer)

   This means men or women of faith are to engage in hard work  or business in furtherance of the spread of the gospel . 

    The only alternative to hardwork is stealing or begging for a living . Hard work gives respect. Idleness leads to disrespect and a major cause of marital crisis. Married persons with jobs tend to respect each other more. They may be self employed or employed . God wants his people to be productive . The Bible says  " Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive." Titus 3:14 NLTBible 

    Every Christian is of grown up age (12-16) is expected to be involved in some form of productive process as a demonstration of faith in the Lord. The more the number of productive adults the richer the church would be. Churches with a majority of poor members are easier to be manipulated by corrupt politicians and preachers .

    Missionaries are not exempted from work or business ,this reduces the financial burdens of the church  . Apostle Paul temporarily made tents to pay for his bills ( Acts 18:1-3) . Work or business does not reduce the anointing on a preacher . Apostle Paul worked great miracles by the anointing of the holy ghost and said " We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. .."1 Corinthians 4:12 NLT 

    God blesses hard work and diligence , " A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty." Proverbs 28:19 NLTBible

     God can use others to meet our needs (2Kings4:8-11) and we should not abuse such opportunities (1Cor.7:31) God's servants are to be supported by those to whom they serve , The bible says" In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it." 1 Corinthians 9:14 NLTBible ,1Tim 5:18) There is a reward for supporting preachers and a preacher's obligation to a member of the congregation is proportional to their obligation to the ministry according to their ability (Luke6:38) and Proverbs 11:24 says "Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything." NLT 

Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I belief Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Ghost and power for productivity and creativity in Jesus name.  

+2348035536911, +2348098536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com



     

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