THE SEED
‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Someone who provides something needed by another is known as a provider. While God is the sovereign provider, He has blessed us with the ability to provide for both ourselves and those around us. One thoughtful question to ask would be: Should those who have fewer resources also provide for others? As Christians, we ought to realise that provisions can include anything from prayers, care, food, shelter, mentoring, sharing ideas, counsel, and even the fruits and gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows upon us. God has given each of us unique talents and gifts that go along with our practical approach to all the activities of the church, no matter how delicate. We shouldn’t have to neglect these gifts; instead, they ought to inspire others. I’m reminded of the testimony of a woman who regularly gave, who during a period of personal adversity got immense support from people she never would have imagined. The parable of the talents is also a very relatable explanation of the possible outcome associated with a person who was given to provide for others but chose to conceal it. We were given talents by God, and it is intended to benefit both ourselves and the people around us. So, in whatever manner we can, let us assist others with these. We should therefore examine what precisely we are equipped with, as Christians that we keep from others, and begin to make amendments today.
BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 17: 10-16
PRAYER: Oh Lord, help me to use the talents and gifts you’ve given me in the way that you want me to, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
OLOHUN FI O JE OLUPESE
IRUGBIN NAA
‘Kí olúkúlùkù yín lo ẹ̀bùn èyíkéyìí tí ẹ ti rí gbà láti fi ṣe ìránṣẹ́ fún àwọn ẹlòmíràn, gẹ́gẹ́ bí olóòótọ́ ìríjú oore-ọ̀fẹ́ Ọlọ́run ní onírúurú ọ̀nà rẹ̀.’ 1 Pétérù 4:10
Ẹnikan ti o pese nkan ti o nilo nipasẹ ẹlomiran ni a mọ gẹgẹbi olupese. Nigba ti Ọlọrun jẹ Olupese Ọba-alaṣẹ, O ti bukun wa pẹlu agbara lati pese fun ara wa ati awọn ti o wa ni ayika wa. Ibeere kan ti o ni ironu lati beere ni: Ṣe o yẹ ki awọn ti o ni awọn ohun elo diẹ tun pese fun awọn miiran bi? Gẹ́gẹ́ bí Kristẹni, ó yẹ kí a mọ̀ pé àwọn ìpèsè lè ní ohunkóhun láti inú àdúrà, àbójútó, oúnjẹ, ibùgbé, àti ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ sí àwọn èrò, ìmọ̀ràn, àti àní àwọn èso àti ẹ̀bùn tí Ẹ̀mí Mímọ́ ń fún wa. Ọlọ́run ti fún ẹnì kọ̀ọ̀kan wa ní táléntì àti ẹ̀bùn tó yàtọ̀ tí ó ń bá ọ̀nà ìlò wa lọ sí gbogbo ìgbòkègbodò ìjọ, bí ó ti wù kí ó jẹ́ ẹlẹgẹ́ tó. A ko yẹ ki a gbagbe awọn ẹbun wọnyi; dipo, nwọn yẹ lati awon elomiran. A rán mi létí ẹ̀rí obìnrin kan tó ń fúnni ní gbogbo ìgbà, ẹni tó jẹ́ pé lákòókò ìpọ́njú ara ẹni gba ìtìlẹ́yìn tó pọ̀ lọ́pọ̀lọpọ̀ lọ́dọ̀ àwọn èèyàn tí kò lè ronú nípa rẹ̀ láé. Àkàwé àwọn tálẹ́ńtì náà tún jẹ́ àlàyé tó ṣeé gbára lé nípa àbájáde tó ṣeé ṣe kó ní í ṣe pẹ̀lú ẹni tí wọ́n fi fúnni láti pèsè fún àwọn ẹlòmíràn ṣùgbọ́n tí ó yàn láti fi í pa mọ́. Ọlọ́run fún wa ní ẹ̀bùn, ó sì pinnu láti ṣe àwa fúnra wa àtàwọn èèyàn tó yí wa ká láǹfààní. Torí náà, lọ́nà èyíkéyìí tá a bá lè ṣe, ẹ jẹ́ ká máa ran àwọn míì lọ́wọ́. Nítorí náà, a gbọ́dọ̀ ṣàyẹ̀wò ohun tí a gbára dì ní pàtó gẹ́gẹ́ bí Kristẹni tí a kò ní lọ́wọ́ sí àwọn ẹlòmíràn, kí a sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí ṣe àtúnṣe lónìí.
BIBELI KIKA: 1 Àwọn Ọba 17:10-16
ADURA: Oluwa, ranmi lowo lati lo awon talenti ati ebun ti o fun mi lona ti o fe, ni oruko Jesu. Amin.