OPIC: THE WAYSIDE
MEMORISE:
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Mark 4:4
READ: Mark 4:14-15
14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
MESSAGE
Yesterday, l explained that the quality of soil determines the level of harvest that a seed can yield. When a seed is planted in some soils, it will not even germinate. In today's memory verse, we see that some seeds that fell on the wrong kind of soil did not germinate because birds ate them.
Some scholars have suggested that the wayside refers to money spent on regular wild parties and other similar vices. When people throw parties, people will come, eat, drink, and say 'thank you'; however, that is where it all ends. Such people might say, "Others will invite me to their parties also." This is true, but we do not live by parties; we live by daily bread. If you want God's wisdom for financial prosperity, you must be prudent with your spending.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Proverbs 21:20
Only fools spend everything they have at once. Some people spend all their earnings recklessly. For example, some unbelievers drink and buy alcohol for others. Such people are unwise because, like the prodigal son, they will eventually be abandoned by those they lavished their money on. The wayside can also refer to actions that expose people's finances to satanic attacks. In the parable of the Sower, the seeds that fell by the wayside were eaten by birds, and as Jesus explained in today's Bible reading, the birds represent Satan.
When Christians do not pay their tithes, they are robbing God and throwing their finances on the wayside for Satan to devour. Paying your tithes makes the Lord rebuke the devourer for your sake (Malachi 3:8-11).
When believers, including ministers of God, steal God's money or take anything that doesn't belong to them without permission from the owners, they are exposing themselves to the devil's attacks. Someone once said to me, "I learned that your Festival of Life programme in the UK has become very big." I said, "Yes, sir." Then, he said, "How much is the church's income from the service?" When I told him that I didn't know, he didn't believe me. I told him that the UK pastors were in charge and that they know that the Bible is clear that anyone who acquires wealth wrongly would die suddenly (Jeremiah 17:11). Those who steal God's money are inviting Satan to feast on their lives and finances.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please show me every way I might have been wasteful, and help me to make amends, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 9-11
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 31: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
1. Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
2. Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
3. To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Savior,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
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