Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 4-6; Luke 18:18-43.
Memory Verse: “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:25 (KJV)
Acquiring wealth often requires diligence and some level of wisdom. In fact sustaining the wealth may require more understanding and wisdom. This is why quite a number of wealthy people tend to hold unto their wealth so tightly. A smaller proportion part easily with a fraction of their wealth. Generally, wealth gives some confidence and guarantees a standard of living that owners do not want to go below. More often than not, it is this confidence and standard of living that wealth owners defend that make it difficult for them to part with their wealth.
But a true child of God will behave differently. Firstly, he knows that God gives all wealth and the power to make it. (Ecclesiastes 5:19; Deuteronomy 8:18) . This implies that God can also allow it to develop wings and fly away! Secondly, he realizes such riches are given for different purposes, one of which is to support the needy. No wonder in response to the ruler in Luke 18:22 (KJV), “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”
This attests to the fact that the rich person has to live a life of sacrifice by giving his earnings to meet the needs of others. Such sacrifices will yield significant return as the Bible says in Proverbs 19:17 (KJV), “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” However to let go of the earnings of a rich man particularly to someone who cannot repay the gift requires love and compassion. And very few will be willing to go this route, hence the Lord Jesus said in Luke 18:25 (KJV), “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
What is a sacrifice? It is defined as something important or precious that is given up for the sake of gaining something or allowing something to happen that is considered more important. As a Christian, you are expected to give your resources, time, money and talent among other things to help others who need such things more than you do. Thus you are expected to give a significant part of your riches, time and talent to the needy in order to give their lives meaning. Such a lifestyle is in accordance with the way our Lord and Saviour laid down when He sacrificed his life for each and everyone of us. This is also what the Bible expects of christians when it says in Romans 12:1 (KJV), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Presenting your bodies is not just your physical bodies alone but also what you use your body to achieve.
Action Point: Examine your life if you are living a life of sacrifice. If not make amends today.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero