“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”– Psalm 46:1 (KJV).
The place of divine assistance cannot be over emphasized neither can it be ignored. Self-made mindset is an illusion. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hast not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV). Why we appreciate the fact that laziness or slothfullness is a killer disease that leads to poverty and frustration, and why we acknowledge the need for hard work and skill development, we must admit that all these human factors at their best without the God factor will ultimately end in failure and frustration. “For promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the south, but God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” – Psalm 75:6-7 (KJV). The humble are those that recognize the place of divine assistance. God resists the proud who think their skill, certificate, human connection or intelligence is the secret of their success; but he gives grace to the humble that recognize his help in their lives.
The parable of Christ (Luke 12:13-21) drives home the point that everyone needs the help of God to succeed in life. This parable was given first to correct the wrong mindset of the man that had all his mind fixed on the inheritance that his brother took. He was so engrossed by this obsession of wealth hijacked by his brother that the eternal truths being shared by Christ could not make meaning to him. He was not bothered about the state of his soul or his deep spiritual poverty.
Again, this parable was given to address the greed of his brother who grabbed inheritance meant for him and his brother. Jesus warned “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”. Luke 12:15 (KJV).
The greedy man in assessing his harvest of great wealth and success failed to recognize the God factor like the ground, the weather, the various seasons, his health, pest, and other factors that make for good harvest. Only a fool lives as though there is no God.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to recognize the God factor in life.
Rev. Vincent Diolu