Open Heavens May 14, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa. 4-6

REDUCING YOUR WORTH?

MEMORIZE: "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold" (Proverbs 22:1)

READ: Ecclesiastes 10:1-3

Another lesson from Genesis 4:1-7 is that one single act can spoil a good name. A bad offering Cain made forever destroyed his name. Today, not many people want to bear ‘Cain’ just because of one foolish act. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold”. All your effort, denials and sacrifices geared towards earning a good name, is worth more than millions of naira. Some families have wealth, but lack a good name. Some families have no money but they have a good name. Which do you prefer? If you have silver and gold but lack a good name, no value will be attached to what you have. Your good name is what gives value to you and your family. Besides, a good name can open doors to you, even in places you never expected. A good name attracts blessings while the rich with a bad name or reputation attracts curses.

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor” (Ecclesiastes 10:1). One foolish act can destroy all you have been building for years! Do everything possible not to soil your good name. Don’t spoil the good name the Lord has given to the RCCG. A pastor died in a plane crash. Thereafter, it was discovered that apart from having a second wife, he had stolen a lot of money from his employer. As a leader, are you contributing to the building of God’s church or you are pulling down what others are building?

“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:5). Another thing we learn here is that rejected offering equals rejected person. You and your offerings are not distinct as far as God is concerned. Your offering and you are one before God. Anytime God rejects an offering, the giver has been rejected. And vice versa. When you are careless with your offering, you reduce your self worth in God’s presence. Your offering makes a statement on your value to God. If you give N10 offering, your offering is saying you are only worth N10. But God knows your material and financial worth because He is the One who gave you what you have. Do not abuse your worth! One reason some offerings are rejected is because they are no true reflections of the worth of the giver. When God rejects an offering, He rejects the giver; but when He accepts an offering, He accepts the giver. May the Lord accept you and your offering from today.

ACTIONPOINT: Demonstrate your worth by your giving in cash and in kind.