Paying the debts of others

The Bible Calendar for 25th September 2024.

1 Kings    17

Jeremiah  36 & 45

Philemon  1

1. Pastoral Care, A Blessing to the Saints

2. Evil People won’t Hear the Words of God

3. Paying the Debts of Others

1. PASTORAL CARE, A BLESSING TO THE SAINTS

Many who run away from taking care of ministers are doing that to their own detriment. The widow succeeded in the famine of three and half years which many rich men could not survive by doing good. The widow might not have known Elijah as a prophet and had the option to reject the request of the prophet, but that would have been the end of her life and that of her child, she honored the prophet’s request knowing not that was a way of survival. Though there might have been many widows in Zarephat, God did not mention a specific one, which means Elijah would have moved forward if she rejected the gesture. Many people have failed to maximize such rare opportunities but thinking of their own comfort and the fear of the unknown. Meanwhile, God cared for His servants after Elijah had lived for some days being fed by the ravens, it was a great opportunity for this widow to have met with the prophet. Likewise, it is an opportunity for you to have that pastor with you at this time and when you care for him your blessings are unstoppable. Some people belittle God by saying they don’t have what to give, giving is neither too small nor too big, only to be given according to your capacity; because it is a seed. Many people misinterpret this scenario as if the pot of the flour was filled,, but they met enough anytime they got there to cook. This shows that not until you have millions but God can satisfy you in your time of need. God has the power to direct Elijah to the rich but he was sent to the widow who has little, that is why you shouldn’t complain when you are asked to give to God’s work. The only what you need to do is your acceptance and make a move like that of the widow, it is not a miracle that a rich man buys a big car but it is a miracle when someone who cannot feed himself satisfactorily gets something big, therefore God used the widow that all may appreciate God or else the rich would have accredited the success to his wealth. Some are looking for the rich men in the church to care for the pastor and do other things, but as God has work for the rich so the poor in the church, He also has work for all others and the care of one should not disturb each other. Let us through caring for the ministers invite the blessings of God to our lives, the child of that widow would have died if not that she accommodated the prophet, the good deeds attract good rewards. Her seed was her voice in the day of fierce battle.

2. EVIL PEOPLE WON’T HEAR THE WORDS OF GOD

The evil people will build walls around themselves and they will prefer the evil communication to the godly people. Jehoachim wanted Barukk and Jeremiah dead instead of him to repent, he also burnt the words of God sent to him without allowing the reading than three pages. Such as the evil people will not want to be at a place where the undiluted words of God shall be preached. They cannot listen to messages from the radio, or any other social media, and they will not allow any preacher to preach to them nor read any books related to Christianity because they will not like anyone trying to lead them to Christ, those who are narrowly saved among them are by the great intervention of God or with the strong arms of God. I have seen someone who had sacked his worker for preaching to him, but the words of God must be preached to them by all means. God told Jeremiah to write the same words that the king burnt and send them to the king again; it is our duty to reach them without minding the cost, may the Lord help us in Jesus’ name.  

3. PAYING THE DEBTS OF OTHERS

Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon to plead for the debt that Onesimus owed his master Philemon, though according to the law of their time, Onesimus was supposed to be put to death because any slave that runs away from his or her master must pay back with his life, and Onesimus did not just ran away but he stole his master’s money. But having met with Christ through Apostle Paul and was discipled and became born again which prompted Paul to write to his master. He even asked Philemon that he would pay all that was owed by Onesimus, and this is a lesson that we should bear other people’s burdens, especially the Christians. Payment here may not only mean the financial aspect but Paul was saying that Philemon should forgive Onesimus for Christ’s sake and for the respect that he had for him. Being born again is changing from darkness to light, therefore Paul says Onesimus was now a gain to him and also his former boss, we need to preach to the prisoners and plead on their behalf. Not only the financial debt but also to deliver the sinners from the bondage of sin. Note this, the sinner cannot deliver himself or herself, it is our duty to lead the sinner to Christ; may the Lord help us to save the lost in Jesus’ name. Preaching is a mandate to preach to somebody today, and you will not miss the reward but you shall be crowned.

Pastor M. O. Shodipe.

For question: 08056044717.