The Word: Luke 12: 48 (KJV)
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Dig Deeper:
2 Corinthians 9: 6 – 7 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Think about it
TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN….
We ‘ve been studying the 7 characteristics of living things: Respiration, Nutrition, Excretion, Sensitivity, Movement, Growth, Reproduction. We are still looking deeper at the art of excretion today.
Animals excretion is normally used as manure (fertilizer) on agricultural farms.
A substance that is harmful to the body of an animal is used as a rich food for other plants to grow. So something that is meant as a waste in your life could actually be a blessing in someone else life.
Some things are not meant for us, they are meant for others. If you however forcefully take or keep what is not meant for you, you may lose other things that were originally meant for you.
– Ask Achan (Joshua 7) He took an accursed or forbidden thing from Jericho. He lost his life, he got his family killed.
– Ask David (2 Samuel 11) He took Uriah’s only wife – Bathsheba. His own wives were abused on the roof top. He suffered significant humiliation and problems due to his actions
Animals waste is usually a function of their size and food intake. So a little bird or squirrel produces minimal waste. A cow however produces bigger waste and an elephant produces much bigger waste…. Everyone of them according to what they eat and their sizes. If an elephant decided to only excrete a little waste like a bird pooh and decides to keep the rest in his body, that elephant will be playing with death. God expects us to produce manure for others based on what he has given us (our intake). The more grace you have enjoyed, the more blessing you should be. You don’t compare your giving with others. You be a blessing based on how God has dealt with you. Remember that waste is manure so though it’s harmful to your body (you are not meant to keep it) It is beneficial (manure) for someone else. It’s not only enough to produce manure, the amount of manure you produce needs to be proportional to your intake. In other words, to who much is given much is expected.
Our memory verse for February
2 Peter 3: 18
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 3 lines:
Line 1: But Grow in grace,
Line 2: And in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Line 3: To him be glory both now and for forever.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Father help me to recognise and quickly dispose the things that are not meant for me IJN.
On Grace: God’s lavish Grace – Terry Virgo
Masterlife Workbook: The Church is embarking on weeks of discipleship workbook study starting with the Masterlife: Disciple’s cross.
