Living for others – Part 1

Text: Roman 15:1-7, Luke 10:25-37, Proverbs 3:27-29, Romans 13:8-14.

It is pertinent we take time to read through the above scriptures, so as to have a balanced perspective and clearer insight of the topic. I have come to discover with utter amazement, that human beings are naturally selfish and interestingly too, whether the very rich or the very poor, this syndrome is predominant. Though the simple truth is, the very poor was meant to dwell among the very rich, as God intended that the very rich should take care of the very poor and by so doing, exhibiting the true nature of God, which is LOVE.

As a prophet, I hear God saying: “It is not expedient to make everybody rich at the same time.” (Isa. 66:8). There should be a process of graduation, so that there will be training, perseverance, humility, experience, honour, respect and leadership. If all of us are managers in the office, who will tidy the office? If all of us are directors, who will manage the affairs of the company? If all of us are car owners, what will the taxi drivers, motorcycle (okada) riders, the tricycle (keke) drivers do, as they will all go out of business?

Life progresses in an order of cycles, ups and downs, good and bad, light and darkness, positive and negative, etc., and as such, a poor man can become rich tomorrow and so can a rich man also become poor. There is something a short or poor person can do uniquely, just as the tall or rich person in the family. So, we need the very tall or rich and equally the very short or poor, as both have their unique quota to contribute and values to offer.

For instance, a rich man who was once poor is meant to easily identify, relate and assist the poor, having known what it is like to be poor and by so doing, having value for, and not dispersing them (Rom.15: 1).

All fingers are not equal and can never be. As such, we need each other, so that life will flow as God intended it, “let no one seek his own but let each one the others’ welfare” (1Cor.10: 24). You do not think about what you will eat alone, that moment you are hungry, somebody else is equally hungry somewhere, that moment you want to dress well and look good, there is also somebody else that want to look good somewhere else.

Those things you long for in life, there are millions of people around that are also longing for the same. So, when God grants you the grace to have it, it is not for you alone, it is for you and others. If God gives you N10, 000, 000 now, it is actually meant for you and others around you. Whatever God favours you with in life is for you to share with your neighbours (those around you), and everything you see in your store is not meant for you and your family’s consumption alone (Prov.3: 27)

That was why Jesus taught in the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5, when He says: “when you have two coats, give out one, you can retain one. If you have two cups of rice, give out one cup and eat one and you have pairs of shoes, put on one and give out the other. If you have three cars, give out one and retain two. That is the hallmark of practical Christianity.

Rev. Emmanuel O. S. Okereke is the Founder/Presiding Bishop of Divine Power Pentecostal Chapel Inc. Mechanic Village, Off Osolo Way, Behind Aswani Market, Isolo, Lagos.
www.sheperdhousedppc.org, info@sheperdhousedppc.org, 08033844117