IT'S NOT WORTH IT: WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME?

Dearly beloved, I welcome you to this awesome year 2022. All things are working together for your good this year in the name of Jesus. May all round possibilities be your portion even as the Lord has declared this year to be in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.  I will like to share with you on this very important subject, “What will you give me?

This is a very strong and important question, and the motive and answer to this very important statement has either put men over in life or down them. We are in a world today, were this question is the order of the day. Nothing moves until the above question is answered. Just as Esau in the book of Genesis 25:29-34, sold out his birth-right because of pottage, so also many today have sold out their privileges, peace, joy, their right hand (strength) etc. Because of what they can gain, the temporal gratification which does not have any long term or eternal value to their lives.

Beloved, I want you to understand that the Bible is complete book. Luke 12:2 says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that shall not be known.” The Bible says in 1st Timothy 1:5, “...that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” The Bible, the word of God is light and a revealer, hence our eyes must be open to see and learn from the examples of others. “For whatsover things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.

In the book of Matthew 26:14-15, the Bible says, “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, what will ye give me...” This was a disciple of Jesus, one we call a Christian today, going to those who he was fully aware of hated and seeking every available means to kill his master (Jesus) to ask ‘what they will give him to sell him out.’ Though he has been following Jesus going to church, sitting under His teachings, yet his heart was not with Him but on what he could get, what he could acquire for himself, his heart was not with Christ but on himself. Does it not look like our present society, children selling out their parents for gain, parents turning their backs on their children because of self gratification. Law enforcement personnel ready to turn faces away from the truth to lift the hands of wickedness because of immediate gains. But it ought not to be so.

Judas Iscariot sold out Jesus because of thirty pieces of silver. He sold out Jesus because of materialism and the world’s temporal pleasures. He sold out his salvation because of this world’s gain. So many Christians today are like Judas Iscariot. Their lives are now being ruled by what they can gain rather than Christ. They do nothing for you until there is an assurance of what you are going to give them. The bowels of love and compassion is shut up because of the world’s immediate gain, their conscience seared with a hot iron because of what they can get. They don’t care what they get and how they get it because of what will come to them. But Judas's experience will make you understand that not all that glitters is gold my brothers and sisters. Some are traps of Satan to shut you up in hell for eternity with him, that is not your portion in Jesus name.

Just like Judas, some people don’t consider the life after now, all they know is now, their belly and not Christ or His kingdom. So they are ready to give their bodies, only to ask, “what will you give me.” Ready to sell their souls to the devil for riches which in no distant time will grow wings and fly away. “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Philippians 3:17-19. Destruction and shame awaits those whose lives are geared towards only what they can get and not what they can give. 1st Timothy 6:6-11 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having found food and raiment let us be therewith content. But thy that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God (Christian), flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” It is disappointment at the end of the day just like Judas Iscariot.

The Holy Spirit will like me to share this life experience. He reminded me of a lady’s vehicle that got stuck in a particular street in town, so much in need of help. After so many attempts to try to get it out herself I believe. She asked for help from some young me, and their reply was, madam what will you give us? No love, no compassion. They were ready to let her stay there until they come to terms suitable for them. So many people have not just eaten their now, but also their future because they refuse to let go of the pleasures and gratifications of the now. The Bible says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: For thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2. Not all men you see are ordinary men, some are our blessings in disguise covered in an unattractive costume, just like Abraham in Genesis 18 encountered God. Be hospitable, learn to render help to humanity and not to always be a taker. Learn to express the nature of your Father to others as occasion arises, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

A lot of Christians have eaten their pottage of converting the souls that God has brought their way. They have chosen carnality for spirituality, death for life. Philip in the book of Acts 8, was not interested in the beautiful chariot or the favour of the Ethiopian eunuch, but in pleasing Him who has called him to be a soldier, which is God. Stop being a pleaser of yourself, be a pleaser of God and He will make your life a wonder.

Christians are now acting like the crippled man who was lame from his mother’s womb in the book of Acts 3, asking what can be given him instead of walking in the step of Peter and John ready to let go what they have for Christ sake. Don’t be like Balaam who saw what he could gain and disregard the instruction of God and almost lost his life. (Numbers 22). Don’t run after the world gain, run after Christ and His kingdom and you will be glad you did.

God bless you. See you next month.