THE SEED
”Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“ 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV
A heart of sacrifice is a heart of giving, though sacrifice isn’t just about giving things; as stated in the opening Bible verse, it’s also about the condition of our hearts when we give or sacrifice. When we sacrifice with a generous, truthful and cheerful heart, it pleases God. It’s not the size of the gift, but the love behind it that matters. It’s amazing to know that sacrifice can also emanate from pretence; a grumbling heart can also give sacrifice and that is why the acceptability of our sacrifice by God is determined by the state of our hearts. For instance, If you give to someone or sacrifice your time to do hospitality and visitation to brethren and family based on receiving something back or in return of their favour towards you or to receive their assistance, your intention although not bad, will you still do the same thing without those reasons? Another instance is when you donate to a church project, do you do it because you want a post in the church or your name and donation to be announced in the congregation? Our heart of sacrifice must be pure without any strings attached, all must be done because of the love of Christ to attract God’s blessing of acceptance.
BIBLE READINGS: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
PRAYER: Everlasting Father, Bless me with a heart that is true and willing to sacrifice and give to others without personal gains, in Jesus’ name. Amen
OKAN IRUBO
IRUGBIN NAA
“Olúkúlùkù gbodọ̀ fi fúnni gege bí ó ti pinnu nínú ọkàn rẹ̀, kì í ṣe tàbí àfipáṣe, nítorí Ọlorun nífẹ̀ẹ́ oninudidun olore” 2 Koríńtì 9:7
Ọkàn ẹbọ jẹ ọkan ifunni, botilẹjẹpe irubo kii ṣe nipa tita eniyàn lore nikan. Gege bí a ti sọ nínú ẹsẹ Bíbélì tí ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ loke yi, ó tún je nípa erongba ọkàn wa nígbà tí a bá ń fúnni tàbí se irúbọ. Nigba ti a ba n se irúbọ wa pelú okan òtíto àti inú dídùn, inú Ọlorun máa ń dùn. Kii ṣe titobi ebun naa ṣugbọn ifẹ okan ti a Fi se ni o ṣe pataki. O jẹ ohun iyanu lati mọ pe irubọ tun le jade lati inu ẹtan; ọkàn ìkùnsínú tún lè rúbọ, ìdí nìyẹn tí ìtewogbà ẹbọ wa si Ọlorun da Lori ipo okan wa. Fun apẹẹrẹ, Ti o ba fun ẹnikan tabi fi akoko rẹ rubọ lati ṣe alejò ati ibẹwo si awọn arakunrin ati ẹbi nitori oun ti o fe rigba pada tabi ojurere wọn si ọ tabi lati gba iranlọwọ wọn, aniyan rẹ botilẹjẹpe kii ṣe buburu, nje iwọ yoo si ṣe oun ti okan re Fe se lai si awon ere ti o fe ri gba wonyi? Apẹẹrẹ miiran ni nigba ti o ba lowọ si iṣẹ akanṣe ile ijọsin, ṣe o ṣe nitori pe o fẹ ipo ninu ile ijọsin tabi o fe ki a polongo orukọ ati ẹbun rẹ ninu ijọ? Ọkàn irubọ wa gbọdọ jẹ mimọ laisi ohunkohun ti o rọ mo, o gbodo ṣe gbogbo re nitori ifẹ ti Kristi lati fa ibukun Ọlọrun ti o ni itẹwọgba.
BIBELI KIKA: 2 Korinti 9:1-15
ADURA: Baba Aiyeraye, Fun mi ni okan òtíto ti o setan lati rubọ ti o si n fifun eniyàn lai ronu ere ara eni. Amin