SELFISHLY PROSPEROUS?: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018

MEMORISE:

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Proverb 28:27

READ: Luke 16:19-26


19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And 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 thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

MESSAGE:

It is a dangerous thing to be selfishly prosperous because Proverb 11:26 says:

“ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.”

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 divine curse. You better desist from such acts if you are one them. Instead of giving out to the needy, some so-called rich people would rather allow their excess loaves of bread and can of milk go stale and sour, and end up in the waste dump.

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 blessing, Lazarus would have been fed daily with the excess from his table. Instead, he was not mindful of Lazarus’s sufferings. Apart from the lack of food in the midst of plenty, dogs also came 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 will he pay him again.”

No wonder this rich man had to experience begging and agony in the afterlife. Beloved, know that the purpose of God’s blessing upon your life is to be His divine treasure, and one of your mandates is to help the needy around you. He will bless you the more when you realize this and fulfill your mandate.

The story of a rich philanthropist who helped to educate the child of a poor peasant laborer. 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 a very good combination. 

He would have lost grandchild but for the drug invented by a child he helped educate. An adage says “one good turn deserves another.” 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.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please bless me and use me to meet the needs of Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Isaiah 16-19, Mark 14:53-15:5

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4:  TRUST AND OBEY.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. 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 a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Then in fellowship sweet 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.