Dear Brethren,

Last week we looked at the wonders of the little Ant. I hope you learnt little lesson from it. Today, we want to look at the wise and the foolish man in the use of mouth.

“Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known” (Pro. 14:33)

Wise men and fools differ in two important ways. First, a wise man’s heart is full of understanding, but a fool is filled with folly. Second, a wise man has humility to keep his wisdom to himself, but a fool’s arrogance causes him to spew out the foolishness in his heart (Pr 13:16; 15:2,28; 29:11). Wisdom and modesty make a man great, but foolishness and pride make him an offensive loser. Examine yourself. Which are you?

Dissect the proverb carefully. An understanding man, a man with discretion, knowledge, and prudence, keeps wisdom in his heart. He is not agitated or eager to throw his opinion around when opportunities arise. He is content to be a listener. In fact, he would rather not speak unless asked or expected to do so. He is a man of few words, and you often have to work to get him to share his wisdom (Pr 10:19; 15:28; 17:27; 20:5; Eccl 9:17).

However, a fool must tell everyone what he is thinking. His greatest joy is talking, for he believes and presumes he has great insights to offer (Pr 18:2). Once he starts talking, he is difficult to stop. He keeps babbling, whether he knows the subject or not (Eccl 10:12-14 “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming who can tell someone else what will happen after them?)

Of course, a wise and understanding man will speak, and he will speak a lot in the right setting for the right purpose. He fulfills his purpose from God by being a tree of life to many (Pr 10:21; 11:30; 15:4,7). Though humble about his own natural abilities, like the prophet Agur (Pr 30:1-3), he is committed to acquiring knowledge and wisdom so he can give the certain words of truth to those who ask him (Pr 22:17-21; I Pet 3:15).

Brethren, ask yourself two questions. Do you have wisdom and understanding in your heart? Do you keep them there until serious and sober men ask your opinion for noble reasons? Your answers to these questions will indicate whether you are a good person or a despised fool. In fact, better than your answers, what would others say about you? Do others perceive you to be wise and discreet? Or foolish and talkative? Be very honest.

What can you do about your heart? This book of Proverbs offers wisdom throughout (Pr 1:1-6; 8:1-5; 9:4-6). It tells the starting point – the fear of God (Pr 1:7; 9:10). It compares wise men and fools over and over, for you to choose the former and despise the latter. Wisdom is not far away! Change your life – fill your heart with wisdom from heaven! It is the chief goal of a successful life (Pr 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding“). And it brings great rewards (Pr 4:8).

What can you do about your mouth? This book of Proverbs says much about your speech, because it is the main indicator of your heart, and it affects others the most (Pr 4:24; 10:32; 13:3; 14:7; 17:7; 18:7; 20:15; 22:11; 24:26). Solomon assumed you can learn discreet, wise, and gracious speech (Pr 15:28; 16:23; 22:17-18). Since Jesus Christ said you will be judged by your words in the Day of Judgment, it is time you applied yourself diligently to perfect your heart and your speech (Matt 12:34-37; Ps 19:14; 139:23-24).). Though a fool is ignorant and stupid, his pride and lack of discretion cause him to pour out the folly inside. He could improve his reputation just by closing his mouth (Pr 17:28)!

Finally, God expects your words to minister grace to the hearer. Consider the words you have spoken this week and access yourself, then talk to God about it. Pick up your phone, call someone and say something good to him/her and invite him/her to the family weekend that starts today in all RCCG Parishes.

God bless you real good.

Dcn. Mike Ben

Brethren,

Are you a self-starter? Do you have enough sense of responsibility to know what you ought to do and to do it? Solomon continued to condemn sluggards here by comparing them to ants (Pr 6:6-8). These little people do not need a meeting every morning to be told what to do and how to do it. They simply go to work and get things done, now!

The ants provide an excellent lesson in diligence, frugality, and savings. Instead of an HND, BSc, Harvard MBA, or PHD,  you need to study an ant farm. They work hard all summer to provide for their needs during the fall, winter, and spring (Pr 6:8; 30:25). They work hard, consume little, and save much. All three of which are great virtues.

And they do it without direction. The ants do not have a boss or manager to remind them of diligence, frugality, and saving. They do these things instinctively by God’s wise creation. It is a shame most men cannot copy the virtues of these little people. Solomon warned his son about human sluggards that do not work during harvest (Pr 10:5; 20:4).

Many men must be forced to work, reminded to work, told how to work, reproved for jobs poorly done, reminded how to do the job right, and constantly followed to keep them working (Pr 6:9-11; 20:13). They are losers. They are a pain and problem. They will take a day off for a cold or headache. If the boss is away, they will play. These are sluggards.

Other men spend everything they make especially during the festive periods, much of it on pleasure (Pr 21:17,20; 23:21). They will spend next month’s labour by using credit cards for entertainment and toys today. Others like them will invest their money in foolish schemes that rob them and their family (Pr 28:19). It has never occurred to them there is no necessity to spend all income.

These two kinds of men – the sluggard and the waster – are brothers. They both come from the family of financial ruin (Pr 18:9). They could learn much from the ant, but they are too proud to consider such insignificant creatures, though King Solomon did! They are so arrogant and so addicted to sleep that no reasons will move them (Pr 26:16).

Parents, you are responsible to teach your children hard work, wise foresight, spending discipline, and constant saving. These four simple traits will do more for their future financial and personal success than any other natural investment you can make in them. Do not settle for helping them with their Spanish homework – which they will never use and only distracts their minds from profitable learning. Teach them about the ant!

The cure for sluggards and spendthrifts is simple and obvious. Starve them. They will quickly learn both virtues – diligence and saving. This is the wisdom of God, and humanistic shortcuts like public education, welfare, jobs programs, and charity will not work as well (Pr 20:4; II Thess 3:6-14). Christian charity extends only to acts of God, not consequences of sloth or waste, only to necessary things, not toys or entertainment.

The locusts are also praised in Proverbs 30:27 for not having a king, but the virtue there is social cooperation and team effort, for the locusts all go forth by bands, or swarms. But the ant is singled out twice for its great diligence and frugality, with a wise eye to the future (Pr 6:8; 30:25). Learn this simple lesson and avoid the financial trouble of others.

Paul warned that every man shall bear his own burden (Gal 6:5). You cannot blame your parents, teachers, or pastor for failure, either financially or spiritually. This is especially true if you had good parents and were taught in a Christian church. The more advantages you have had, the more you will be punished by the just God (Luke 12:47-48).

Dear reader, what should you be doing today that you are not? Do you need someone to tell you, again? Do you need to be punished by authority or circumstances to do it? Consider the ant, and do what you ought to be doing. You will be blessed in the deed naturally and spiritually. You should be especially eager to get at your spiritual duties.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate self-starter. He was focused on obeying His Father from the beginning, which He showed even at age twelve in the temple. And He did this in spite of His mother and Joseph not understanding or helping Him toward His goal (Luke 2:49; John 4:34). Hear Him speak of His burden to serve His Father: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Finally, God expects us to be diligent and stand in the gap for Him. This is your day therefore, visit or Pick up your phone and call someone to say hello, ask his/her well being and invite him/her to the Church.

God bless you real good.

Deacon Mike Ben

Bible Text: I Pet. 4:7-11; Rom. 11:5-6

Introduction

In our last study we examined the meaning, essence and how we may qualify for God’s grace. From that study what have you gained? Today our focus shall be on the believers as stewards of God’s grace. May the Lord open our eyes to see the deep mysteries out of His words. Amen

1. The two Kinds of Grace

a. The Saving Grace (Eph. 2:5, 8; Rom. 11: 5-6) – the essence of this kind of Grace is to teach men to forsake sin and live righteously.

b. The Serving Grace (I Pet. 4:7-11) – The reason for bestowing this kind of grace upon a person is for service. Serving Grace can be sub-divided according to the different areas of service in the kingdom:

(i) The grace to be hospitable (ii) The grace to speak as God’s Oracle (Ministering) (iii) The grace of giving (iv) The grace to sing (v) Ministering- Rom. 12:6-8 (vi) The grace to minister to the broken hearted. The Serving Grace is called CHARIS in Greek. It is translated to men the Divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life to be able to do what ordinarily a person may not have been able to do going by his physical and spiritual strength. (See I Cor. 15:10; 10; II Cor. 6:1)

2. Stewards of God’s Grace

a. Who is a steward or what is stewardship?

b. List below those things you received from God as a result of His Grace upon your life

Conclusion

We have seen from our study that we are stewards of God’s Grace and we will be required to give an account of every Grace we receive from God. May we not be wasters of God’s grace in Jesus name.

Memory Verse: I Pet. 4:10

Bible Text: Ephesians 2:1-10

Introduction

Grace is inevitable for any man who wants to enjoy the fullness of what God offers a man. Today we shall be trusting God to show us what Grace is and how a man may get God’s Grace. May the Lord open our eyes to see the deep mysteries out of His words, Amen.

1. Grace

Is the kindness with which God bestows favour and blessings upon the undeserving or grant to sinners the pardon of their offences

a. How would you qualify the Grace that a man who was once a murderer to a son of God? Eph. 2:7-9

b. From the above what would you say about the qualities of God’s Grace?

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

2. The Essence of Grace – Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:1

From the scriptures below, what is the primary essence of the Grace of God that has been bestowed upon us?

i. Titus 2:11-12 & Rom. 6:1

ii. I Cor. 1:26-29

iii. Heb. 12:28

iv. I Cor. 15:9-10

v.  Any other

3. How to get God’s Grace

What really qualifies a wretched sinner for GRACE? The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. For Grace is unmerited. Justice and God’s holiness demands that no sinner should go unpunished no matter how small his sin is. But whenever God, out of His mercy and the death of His Son Jesus, accepts a repentant sinner, He pardons his sins and makes him His own child as if he has never sinned before. There is nothing else that can make that possible other than God’s Grace. Though the Grace of God is unmerited, yet anyone who wants to obtain Grace either for salvation or for service must put himself at God’s disposal. That is the place where God can really reach him; and that entails:

a. Prov. 3:24

b. Jam. 4:6

c. Ps. 51:17

4. Enemies of Grace: Discuss in the light of the scriptures below:

    (i) Law of Moses- Rom. 3:19-20 (ii) Man’s work – Eph. 2:8-9 (iii) Human character – Isa. 64:6

Conclusion: Anyone who wants to obtain Grace, either for Salvation or service, must put himself at God’s disposal. Cry to God today so that you may obtain Grace

Memory Verse: Eph. 2:8