LIFE SEASON l
MEMORISE: 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. 1 Timothy 6:10
READ: Luke 12:15 -21
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
MESSAGE
In the next few days, we will be discussing the different seasons of life. This is one very important series that you should not take lightly. I would like you to keep every season in mind to help you get a good grasp of the entire message.
The first season of a person's life is when he or she is still young and desires material possessions. When a child is born, without being taught, he or she tightly grips anything placed in his or her hand and should the item fall, would cry to get it back. That is the first season of life - when the fellow just wants to acquire. It is in this season that many people get certificates so that they can get high-paying jobs. Everything that a person does during this season is usually geared towards becoming rich. Unfortunately, it is in this season that many people are lured by the devil into illegal and immoral activities to get money. When you check the people who have been proven to engage in 'yahoo yahoo' (cybercrime) or ladies selling their bodies for money, even those who kidnap and rob, you would find that they are usually young people. If you are young and don't have an inordinate ambition to be rich, then you will be safe from lures of the devil. Though it is good to be rich, you should not pursue wealth at the expense of your soul.
After chasing money for so long, the young fellow will at some point look around and see that even money does not satisfy (Ecclesiastes 5:10). He or she would realise the truth in the Scripture in Luke 12:15 which says, "And he said unto them, take heed, and beware of covetousness: for man's life consistently not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
Many years ago, whenever l visited America and Pastor Stephen Rathod picked me up, the first thing l used to ask him, after exchanging greetings, was, "Where are they having sales?" It was important to me to buy things in America during the sales period. Years later, when l visited US again, he was surprised l didn't ask to be shown where l could buy things on sales. I told him that time has passed. I had realized that those things didn't really matter. I was now after more important things.
KEY POINT
The love of money is the root of all evil.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 5-8
HYMN 21: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3 Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
