TIME TO GIVE

"Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures" -  Deuteronomy‬ ‭15:10‭ (MSG)

In 1783, the harvest in France was a terrible one, and there were many who suffered as a result. However, Lafayette’s farms were unaffected by the devastating crop failures. One of his workers then offered what seemed to be good advice to Lafayette, “The bad harvest has raised the price of wheat. This is the time to sell.” After thinking about the hungry peasants in the surrounding villages, Lafayette disagreed and said, “No, this is the time to give.” (Lesson Commentary, August 2009, Daniel Lioy)

In recent years, food prices have been on the rise across Nigeria. The situation deteriorated due to the impact of government policies such as the removal of subsidies on petrol, among others. According to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the food inflation rate in October 2023 was 31.52 per cent, which was 7.80 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in October 2022 (23.72 per cent).

It is obvious that year 2023 has been a very challenging year for most families in Nigeria; they groan endlessly as prices of food stuff and other essential commodities keep on increasing astronomically on a daily basis. However, in the midst of this harsh economic condition, God still have some Lafayettes who are enjoying divine sustenance in the land. 

Beloved, are you among "the Lafayette" in the land? We thank God for your life and pray that God will continue to preserve and sustain your harvest till Christ returns. However, as you prepare to enjoy your harvest during this Yuletide season with your loved ones, please remember the hungry peasants around you. In such a time like this, it is not wise to hoard your wheat from the needy. God never blesses you for your own benefit only, but that you can be a blessing to others in need at all times (Deut 15:7-11). Every act of kindness to the needy is a loan to God and would be repaid in due time (Proverbs 19:17). However, the rewards for withholding help from the needy are heavy rain of curses and impoverishment from God (Proverbs 28:27 & 11:24-25). 

"If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord, and He will repay you!" - Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)

One special poem that summarizes God's position on the subject matter is titled "Ten Things God Won’t Ask On That Day":

TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY

1. God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, 

He’ll ask how many people you gave a lift to who didn’t have any transportation.

2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house,

He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your wardrobe, 

but He’ll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4. God won’t ask what your highest salary was, 

but He’ll ask if you compromised your testimony to obtain it.

5. God won’t ask what your job title was,

but He’ll ask whether you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won’t ask how many friends you had, 

He’ll ask how many people to whom you made sure you were a friend.

7. God won’t ask in what neighbourhood you lived, 

He’ll ask how you treated and behaved with your neighbours.

8. God won’t ask about the colour of your skin, 

He’ll ask about the quality and growth of your character.

9. God wont ask you how much of your time you used watching television,

but He will ask how much you used caring for others?

10. God won’t ask why it took you so long to seek salvation; 

He’ll just demonstrate how pleased He is to have you and take you to your mansion in heaven.

May our lives continue to be a blessing to others till our days on earth are over. 

Please join us for Jesus Supermarket 2023 as we trust God to meet the needs of many families in this season. Venue: RCCG Place of His Power, 8 Gbeminiyi Street, Off Ijaiye Ojokoro Road, Opposite LADO filling Station, Lagos. Date: 24th of December, 2023. Time: 8am.  

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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