TOPIC: THE ANOINTING IS NOT FOR SALE
MEMORISE
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, treely give.
Matthew 10:8
READ: 1 Peter 5:2-4
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
MESSAGE
When God anoints a person, He expects him or her to use the anointing to edify His people and spread the gospel. As we see in today’s Bible reading, God does not want the anointing to be used for personal gain.
I often tell the pastors under my supervision that when God uses them to perform a miracle, they must never demand or expect any reward from the person who received the miracle. In today’s memory verse, Jesus told his disciples that they had received the anointing freely and they should also give it out freely. The One who performs miracles is God, not the people He has anointed.
Therefore, you should never feel entitled to anything from anyone who gets a miracle from God through His anointing upon you. Some self-professing ministers of God even go as far as selling olive oil, water, handkerchiefs, and other similar items that they claim have been anointed to those who come to them for prayers.
Such conduct reveals that they are hirelings who are looking to exploit God’s sheep rather than being shepherds who should nurture and feed them.
Beloved, you are not to use the anointing that God bestowed on you to manipulate people. Some people demand that they should be called ‘Father in the Lord’ just because God has used them to heal headaches.
Being anointed does not qualify anyone to become a lord over others; rather, the anointing ought to be used to serve people. Peter knew that such temptations would arise, which was why he told some church leaders in today’s Bible reading to feed the flock of God willingly and with a ready mind. He also warned them not to use God’s anointing upon their lives for selfish gain.
Jesus Christ, our perfect example, exemplified how to use the anointing God bestows upon a person.
He went about doing good and healing those who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38), and also served His followers (John 13:3-15).
Beloved, like Jesus, use the anointing you have received from God to bless those He has sent you to; do not use it to exploit or victimise others. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and you will give an account of all the things He has given to you one day.
Always remember that the anointing you have received from God is a tool to serve Him, edify His people, cater to their needs, and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
KEY POINT
The anointing is not meant to be used for personal gain but to serve the will and purpose of the One who gave it.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Jeremiah 18-21
HYMN 59: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak.
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met His Father there.
3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To anyone unkind.
4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said,
“He hath done what he could.”
5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
“Let little children come to Me,”
I would obey the call.
6. But oh, I’m not like Jesus,
As anyone may see;
O gentle Savior, send Thy grace,
And make me like to thee.
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