Be Influential And Honourable: Devotion for Thursday February 27, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 27, 2020

Topic: Be Influential and Honourable                 

Text: Psalm 112:9

It was Aquinas who sagely said, “Man should not consider his outward possession as his own but as common to all; so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need.” Have you ever asked yourself what are the things people will use to remember you when you die? What will people say that you achieved?

The concern of people is just to acquire wealth for their immediate family and generations unborn. The generous person is someone who is God’s reserviour from where His abundance flows out to supply the need of the needy. While a stingy person do have great in-gathering but very slow in dispersing those blessings. Which group do you belong?

In our text, the Psalmist said that God will remember those who give generously for their good deeds. He asserts that being generous with our gifts and blessings is the very way to become influential and honourable. This reminds me of Dorcas (Acts 9:36 – 43). What are the lessons for us in Proverbs 19:17 & 2 Corinthians 9:6 – 7?

Are you generous with the blessings God has bestowed on you? If not repent today and begin to share your blessings with other so that you can become influential and honourable. Above all God will remember and reward your good deeds. Use this Lenten Season as a period to start something.

Food for Thought: It is your generosity that will bring you influence and honour and not the wealth you have accumulated.

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 9:9

Prayer: God grant to me the spirit of generosity and help me never to be stingy with the blessings you have bestowed on me

Leadership and Generosity

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 21, 2017     

Topic: Leadership and Generosity

Text: 1 Chronicles 16:1 – 3

David had a great regard and love for God, no wonder he was termed a man after God’s heart. He brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem and wanted to build a house for it but God restrained him from doing it. Some of our leaders today are not perturbed by dilapidated church building in their environment. Unfortunately, it is not so with the Muslims. They always want to build place of worship. Christians who are leaders should always use their position to build places of worship of God Almighty.

When David brought the Ark into the city, he praised God and made offering to the Lord. David was very pleased that the Ark was now in Jerusalem after the previous attempt failed. In his joy he offered burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. He blessed his people and gave them gifts as a mark of his generosity. David’s act of generosity is commendable and should be emulated by all in leadership positions.

As God was generous to David and he demonstrated same, those of us He has been generous to, should do the same to the less privileged and the poor people under us. When Herod was happy, he didn’t remember God. Rather he called for friends to a party and at the peak of his merriment; he made a promise which resulted to the death of John the Baptist.

Those of us in leadership positions should give special considerations to people we lead. They should make laws that will be favourable to their subjects and avoid owing their workers’ wages because the bible condemns it (See Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15). As at the time of writing today’s devotion, some states in Nigeria owed their workers up to 8 months’ salary arrears. Unfortunately, some of these Governors are Christians who never stopped their own salaries and allowances. Christian leaders should be generous to their subjects as David was.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 24:14 – 15

Memory verse: 1 Chronicles 16 verse 3 - And distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant to all those in leadership positions especially in our country, a benevolent heart for their subjects in Jesus name. Amen. 

BE GENEROUS: Devotion for Tuesday May 17, 2016

BE GENEROUS: Devotion for Tuesday May 17, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 30:21 – 26        Memory verse: v 23

David used his authority to over-rule the submission of some of “the wicked and worthless men” who went with him as they pursued the Amalekites (30:22, 23). He managed the situation with all sweetness, though they were such wicked and unreasonable men, he called them brethren; not only as of the same nation and religion with him, but as his fellow-soldiers. He admonished them to be magnanimous with what God has provided because it didn’t come out of sheer hard work but the mercies of God.

There are two major lessons we should learn in this our text.

1. We shouldn’t unkindly and injuriously withhold from our brethren whatever God has freely given or imparted to us. What are the things God has freely given to you? It may be your time; your wealth, your strength, your talents, etc. They are gifts that should be used for the good of others. You shouldn’t brag with them or hoard them for selfish use in your neighbourhood, office, church and the society at large.

2. Secondly, as leaders in whatever capacity we find ourselves, we should manage the behaviours of all under us in such a way that there will be peace always. David managed the anger of some of these “wicked and worthless men.” This should be a challenge to us in leadership positions.

Food for Thought: Being magnanimous with what God has given freely to us is a sign that we are grateful to Him.

Prayer: Our father in heaven, help me to be magnanimous with what you have given freely to me.