THE SOURCE OF WEALTH

MEMORY VERSE: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Proverbs 13:11

BIBLE READING: Numbers 17-20

Wealth can come from the devil, get-rich-quick schemes, and God. There are several lessons to learn from the third temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4). Firstly, Satan is rich. Secondly, he gives riches to those who will bow down and worship him. Verse 8-9 says: “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Satan still makes people rich. One of the disadvantages of taking things from Satan is that he gives a penny and takes back a billion in return. Someone once said, “An apple from the devil contains enough worms to kill a man.” Wealth can, and does, come through get-rich-quick schemes, e.g. drugs, frauds, internet scams, and so on. Wealth can come from God. Deuteronomy 8:18 says: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” The power to get wealth consist of ideas, abilities, special skills, and so on. The bible is littered with examples of persons whom God prospered financially,e.g. Job, Abraham, King Solomon, King David, the great woman of Shunem, etc. One encouraging thing about the story of Job is that one can be rich and still be holy.

The wealth from God is sorrow-free. Proverbs 10:22 says: “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” Wealth gotten from Satan or through get-rich-quick schemes come with sorrow attached. It comes with pain, embarrassment, shame, headache, etc. A story that comes to mind is that of a man who was caught trying to smuggle cocaine into the country . He was forced to pass out the cocaine wraps, he swallowed, as faeces. The wealth from God brings peace. Isaiah 48:22 says: “There is no peace, says the LORD, unto the wicked.” The wealth from God is protected by God. He will protect you and everything He has given to you. Job 1:10 says: “Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” You can only take what you give to me. If it is given by God, you are only wasting your time trying to take it. Whatever God gives will last forever as far as you continue to obey Him and live holy. There is a popular saying, “nothing lasts forever.” Things (marriage, wealth, ministry, promotion, etc) given by God last forever. However, wealth gotten through get-rich-quick schemes does not last forever. Proverbs 13:11 says: “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”

NOTE: God will not prosper a lazy person. If you want divine wealth then you must be ready for work.
twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

FAMINE: RESPOND, DON’T REACT

MEMORY VERSE: And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Deuteronomy 8:3

BIBLE READING: Numbers 14-16

One of the things the Lord hates with a passion is pride. Proverbs 6:16-19 says: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” As a result, He humbles the proud. One of the tools God employs in humbling the proud is famine. Deuteronomy 8:3 says: “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” The world, out of pride, thinks it does not need God. It has moved away from God; as such, the Lord has decided to bring it to its knee through famine. This explains why there are a lot of graduates with no job ( famine of jobs), lot of eligible bachelors and spinsters with no one to marry ( famine of marriage partner), lot of churches with few genuine shepherds and sheep ( famine of shepherd and sheep) and lot of church goers but few Christians ( famine of the Word).

Famine elicits a response. The three responses are: Do nothing, React and Respond. Doing nothing is not the best way to respond to a famine situation. Problems don’t just go away. They must be worked through or else they will remain forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit. Reacting to a famine situation is also not the best way to respond to a famine situation. Crying, moaning, playing the blame game will not solve the problem. The best thing to do in a famine situation is to respond. You can respond by doing what you think is good or seek the face of God and do what He tells you to do. Let me warn you against doing what you think is good (in your eyes) in a famine situation. The fact that something is good or make sense does not mean it is from God. It made perfect sense for Abram to go to Egypt, however, that was not the best course for his life. The following happened to Abram when he went to Egypt: Firstly, he went down (Genesis 12:10); secondly, he was forced to compromise his faith (Genesis 12:12-13); thirdly, he lost his wife (Genesis 12:15) and fourthly, he was embarrassed by a pagan king ( Genesis 12:18-20). Imagine an unbeliever accusing father Abram of telling lies.

NOTE: The best way to respond to a famine situation is to seek the face of God and do whatever He tells you to do. Also, praise God in a famine situation

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE CHRISTIAN RACE

MEMORY VERSE: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

BIBLE READING: Numbers 11-13

Paul, the author of the book of Hebrews, likened Christianity to running in athletics. Hebrews 12:1 says: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Running events are divided by distance into sprints (short-distance), middle-distance, long-distance, as well as by type, which includes hurdles and relays or team races. The Christian race is a long- distance race as such it must be run with patience.

The Christian race and the marathon are similar. For instance, both have a start point and a finish point. We start the Christian race on earth and finish in heaven. There is a prize to be won in both. Revelations 3:21 says: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Both have organisers. Jesus is the organiser. Hebrews 12:2a says: “looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our race.” The organisers of both determine the track and the length of the track. Jesus sets the track on which Christians run. He designs the bends, the turnings, the hills, the slopes, etc.

Participants of both have to follow laid down rules. One of the laid down rules of the Christian race is "love your neighbour as yourself" . Mark 12:31 says: “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these greater than these.” You will find it hard to lie to your neighbour if you truly love him. You will find hard to steal if love your neighbour . Do you know that if you truly love your neighbour as yourself you won’t fornicate, commit adultery, oppress people, delay your staff's salary, etc.? Another laid down rule is you must not harbour unforgiveness. Matthew 6:15 says: “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Most importantly, you have to register to participate in both. You have to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. John 3:3 says: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “What if I don’t,” someone asked. If you don’t you will go to hell. This afternoon, a brother I had been witnessing to for months complained that I was too hard on him. I asked him a simple question, “you expect me to scream at the top of my voice and call you back if I see you walking towards fire don’t you?” He nodded. I told him that’s what I am trying to do. The rules have not changed. Jesus is the only way!

QUESTION: Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and saviour?

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

A SPIRITUAL DIET

MEMORY VERSE: He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him. Job 20:15-16

BIBLE READING: Numbers 8-10

READ: Job 20:12-19

Challenges are part and parcel of life. Christianity does not exempt you from challenges. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” In the world, ye SHALL have tribulation, not ye MAY have tribulation. The good news is Jesus has overcome the world for us. We are assured of victory over every challenge the enemy will send our way. How we respond to challenges matters, it will go a long way in deciding if and when we will overcome the challenges. One of the ways we respond to challenges or the loss of a loved one is we grief. Job, when his faith was tested, fed on his grief and could not eat. Job 3:24 says: “For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.” Another way we respond to challenges or trial of faith is we cry. David, when he faced challenges, fed on his tears. Psalm 42:3 says:“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” One thing you must never do to anyone who is facing challenges is mock them. The friends of Job fed him with his sins when he was facing challenges ( Job 20:12-19). They accused him of sins instead encouraging him. Verse 15-16 says: “He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.”

Feed on God’s words when you face challenges. Jeremiah 15:16 says: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Matthew 4:4 says: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Feed on God’s will when you face challenges. John 4:34 says: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” One thing I try to do is I record every promise He has given to me in a book. From time to time, I go through them and my faith is strengthened. I am reminded, as I go through them, that all will be well. Also, I read through my dream book and I am greatly encouraged. Do you have a dream book? If you don't have one yet, get one today and start recording your dream.

NOTE: All suffering people need love, acceptance, patience encouragement not arguments.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

AND LOT ALSO, WHICH WENT WITH ABRAM

MEMORY VERSE: And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. Genesis 13:5

BIBLE READING: Numbers 5-7

Walking with God brings prosperity. A look at Abram’s life, before and after he met God, glaringly shows that it is profitable to walk with God. All he had before he started to walk with God, despite the fact that he was a hardworking man, was a little substance. Genesis 12:5 says:“And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.” Within a short time, Abram went from a man with a little substance to become a man who was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold (See Genesis 13:2). There is a big difference between being rich and being very rich, just as there is a big difference between being a millionaire and being a billionaire. Abram was not just rich; he was very rich.You cannot please God, the Possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19), the Owner of silver and gold (Haggai 2:8), by obeying and serving Him in spirit and truth, and remain poor. I have a good news for everyone who is serving God in spirit and truth, very soon people will begin to refer to you as a rich brother or sister and you will use the wealth to promote the gospel and help the less privilege.

Lot, Abram’s relative who was living with him at the time, also prospered. Genesis 13:5 says:“And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.” Lot was a young man who prospered as a result of his association with Abram (a man who walked with God). As a result of his association with Abram, he went from being a pagan to become a righteous man. 2 Peter 2:7 says: “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.” Let me ask, how many people presently read their Bibles daily as a result of their association with you? How many go to church regularly as a result of their association with you? How many have stopped fornicating as a result of their association with you? How many have stopped committing adultery as a result of their association with you? How many have given their lives to Christ as a result of their association with you? How many men have stopped beating their wives as a result of their association with you? How many wives submit to their husbands as a result of their association with you? How many have stopped accepting bribes or giving bribes as a result of their association with you?How many have stopped telling lies as result of their association with you? Someone said, “but am not a pastor.” You don’t have to be a pastor to make a difference in the lives of the people around you. Naaman, one of the military top brass in Syria, began to serve the God of Isreal because of a little slave girl in his house. Lot prospered as a result of his association with Abram. How many people have prospered as a result of their association with you? Abram gave Lot the opportunity to grow. Do you give the people around you the chance to grow? Brother in Christ, is your wife a better Christian as a result of her marriage to you? Sister in Christ, is your husband doing well as a result of your marriage to him?

QUESTION: What do you want to be remembered for?

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

“BUT EVERYONE IS DOING IT”

MEMORY VERSE: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

BIBLE READING: Numbers 1-4

A “way” is simply a path to a destination. The destination can be a physical one, a spiritual one, an emotional one, a mental one, etc. It can be one in your career, marriage, relationship, ministry, personal life, etc. Psalm 32:8a says: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in THE WAY which thou shalt go.” The phrase “the way” implies there are several ways. There are several ways before us; however, not all of the ways lead to God’s destination. There is a “way”, according to Proverbs 14:12, that seems right but the end of it is death. The flesh has its ways. It wants sugary drinks and processed foods. These leads to Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. The flesh hates discipline or exercise. The flesh does not like to pray or fast. This leads to a weak spiritual life. Romans 8:8 says: “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” The world has its ways; e.g., the world dress, talk, behave, raise children, treat husbands or wives, start a relationship and even serve God in a certain way. The Bible clearly teaches that our body is the temple of the living God; the Lord will destroy anyone who destroys His temple ( See 1Corinthians 3:17). You can not be a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time (See James 4:4).

Some of the ways of the world; include, scheming, using what you have to get what you want, covering up sins, etc. The Bible says, “he that covers his sins will not prosper (Proverbs 28:13)”. Your friends have their ways and most of the time, they are at variance with the Scriptures. Your friends may be fornicating and committing adultery. There is also a popular way; viz, the reigning thing. You do things simply because everyone around is doing it. For instance, you play the lottery or bet on horses because everyone is doing it. Exodus 23:2 says: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” The fact that everyone is doing a thing does not make it right. Child bride is popular in certain parts of the world, does this mean that child bride is good? NO! The excuse many of us give is “but everyone is doing it.” You, as a sister, should not wear clothes that expose your cleavage because everyone is doing it. You, as a brother, should not engage in sex before marriage because everyone in the choir is doing it. The fact that it is popular does not mean it is right. Your parents may have their own ways. They may want you to put them before your wife which is against the Scriptures. They may even want you to put your brothers and sisters before your wife which is again against the teachings of the Holy Bible. Your manager probably has his ways: he probably wants you to dress in a way that will attract male customers to the bank or the restaurant. There are many ways (before us) but only one will take us to God’s destination for our lives. Psalm 32:8 says: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Search the Scriptures to discover the way you should go. Also, seek Him in spirit and in truth.

NOTE: The fact that a practice is popular does not mean the practice is right.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

“LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING”

MEMORY VERSE: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

BIBLE READING: Exodus 38-40

Two men lived in a land. Both were shepherds; they served the Lord and as a result, the Lord increased their substances to the extent that the land could no longer contain them. One day,they decided to part ways. The first man lifted up his eyes and chose what he saw. Genesis 13:10-11 says: “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Lot leaned on his own understanding and as a result, he became a neighbour to God’s enemies (Genesis 13:12-13). He and his wife were taken captive shortly after their move (Genesis 14:11-12). Out of mercy, the Lord delivered him and he moved to Sodom. Many years later, the Lord destroyed Sodom and he lost all – his wife, home and properties (Genesis 19). Lot became homeless and began to dwell in rocks.

The other person, on the other hand, choose what he was shown. Genesis 13:14 says: “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward.” As a result, Abram became a deliverer – the Lord used him to deliver Lot. He had children; his lineage continued even to this day. Abram became a blessing to many generation. We cannot run from making decisions (if we want to continue to live). Even plants make decision – they bend towards sunlight when kept in a dark room. Decision-making is inevitable. Deuteronomy 30:19 says: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” We have no other choice than to make decisions and face the consequences of our decisions. Many single brothers choose their wives based on sight. They married ladies who could cook, who appeared quiet, etc.; they were not led by God into those marriages. They discovered after marriage that these ladies cooked only when they were happy ( and they are rarely happy). They were quiet only when they had their ways. They (these brothers) discovered all sorts – these women argued a lot, never forgave and complained of everything – after marriage and wished they were single. The same with sisters, they married brothers based on their looks, bank balances and assets. They discovered after marriage that these brothers were wife-beaters, serial womanisers, drug addicts,unusually stingy,etc. Many of us choose careers, jobs, apartments, churches to attend, schools to send our children,etc. by sight. Make sure you are led by God because it is dangerous to choose by sight. Remember, not all that glitters is gold.

NOTE: Things always appear attractive until you move closer. The fig tree looked great until Jesus moved closer and discovered it had no fruit.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.