Memorise: He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Proverbs 28:27
Read: Luke 16:19-26
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [a]fared sumptuously every day.
20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
21 desiring to be fed with [b]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
Bible in one year: Isaiah 16-19, Mark 14:53-15:5
AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL
1. It is a dangerous thing to be selfishly prosperous because Proverbs 11:26 says: “He that witholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.”
2. This scripture is a warning to those who hoard goods that are meant for sale in order to make inordinate profit. The Bible says such people are under a divine curse. You better desist from such acts if you are one of them.
3. Instead of giving out to the needy, some so-called rich people would rather allow their excess loaves of bread and cans of milk go stale and sour, and end up in the waste dump.
4. The rich man in today’s Bible text is a typical example of people who are selfishly prosperous. Luke 16:21 tells of how he related with Lazarus, saying: “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” If the rich man had been alive to his responsibility as a custodian of God’s blessings, Lazarus would have been fed daily with the excess from his table. Instead, he was not mindful of Lazarus’ sufferings. Apart from the lack of food in the midst of plenty, dogs also came up and licked Lazarus sores! Why was it dogs attending to Lazarus and not the medical personnel in the service of the rich man? The rich man was indeed selfishly prosperous. Proverbs 19:17 says: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given him he pay him again.” No wonder this rich man had to experience begging and agony in the afterlife.
5. Beloved, know that the purpose of God’s blessings upon your life is to be His divine treasurer, and one of your mandate is to help the needy around you. He will bless you the more when you realize this and fulfill your mandate.
6. The story was told of a rich philanthropist who helped to educate the child of a poor peasant labourer. This child later went on to invent a drug that saved the life of the grandchild of this philanthropist. The philanthropist was rich and generous. This is very good combination. He would have lost his grandchild but for the drug invented by a child he helped to educate. And adage says “one good turn deserves another”.
7. When you pray for divine prosperity, ensure you know what you are asking for. You may not get it if you will be selfish with God’s provision in your life.
SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS
Matthew 25:34-40 says “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” May we never be damned in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
Prayer Point: Father, please bless me and use me to meet the needs of Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He shed on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey
RECENT COMMENTS
Joesphine Ehigie
TJ