DON'T WITHHOLD YOUR BEST WINE

"All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee." - Numbers  18:12 

There is a story about an old village in Spain. The people of this village heard the king planned to visit them. They were excited because no king had ever done that before. So naturally, they wanted to offer a great celebration that would show their adoration and that would honour the king. But what could a village of such "poor" people offer?  Someone proposed that since so many of the villagers made their own wines,  very good wines,  they could offer that to please the king. And they decided that they would all take some of their best wine, and combine them as a gift for the king.


On the day of the king’s arrival, they all came to the village square early in the morning with a large cup of their finest wine and poured their offering into a small opening at the top of a large barrel. They were excited to see the king enjoy the best wine he had ever tasted. When the King eventually arrived, he was escorted to the village square where he was ceremoniously presented with a silver cup and invited to draw wine from the barrel. He was told the villagers were delighted to have him taste the best wine they had to offer. He filled his cup from the spigot/valve,  and when he drank the wine, to his surprise he tasted only water. Had someone stolen all of the wine that was meant for the king? The answer is "No". Each villager had reasoned, "I’ll withhold my best wine and give water. There will be so many cups of excellent wine poured into the barrel that mine will never be missed.”

Beloved, many of us are like the people in the story above. We are fond of giving the leftovers to the King. We withhold our best wine from God, our employer, spouse, children, natural or departmental groups in church, business partners, customers, leaders and of course our nation. We believed no one will miss that little input of ours. We are fetching water for the King instead of brewing the best wine for Him. Friends, May I urge you to please offer your best wine to the King of kings (God) and everyone that comes your way this week. Don't withhold your best wine but rather pour it all out into the barrel this week. Yes, give it your very best shot.

No other hymn clearly expresses God's mind on this subject matter like the hymn titled "Give of Your Best to the Master". This wonderful hymn was composed by Pastor Howard Benjamin Grose in 1902. May I urge you to please make the lyrics of this beautiful hymn below your watchword this week.

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor,
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:
           Give of your best to the Master;
           Give of the strength of your youth;
           Clad in salvation’s full armor,
           Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.

Good morning and do have blessed week in Jesus name. Amen

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

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