CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MARCH 14, 2022 : TOPIC – TO SAVE OR INVEST?
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, March 14, 2022
TO SAVE OR INVEST?
Read: Luke 19:11-24
Luke 19:11-24 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
MEMORISE: Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might collect it with interest? (Luke 19:23)
EXPOSITION
Profit is a fruit of business. It is the main goal! Even God desires and teaches, as well as empowers His obedient ones to profit; as it is written: ‘Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go’ (Isa. 48:17; cf. 1 Cor. 12:7).
It is also a commandment by the Lord Jesus Christ to His own, as found in today’s devotional reading, even in both natural and spiritual spheres, or business of living and ministry (Jn. 15:1-8). No room for lousiness! As it is again written, ‘And he called his servants, and said unto them, occupy (or do business) till I come’ (v. 13). Deuteronomy 8:18 says: ‘You shall remember the Lord your God; for it is he that gives you power to get wealth’ (or make abundant profit).
To get this result, however, we need to invest what we have. Of course, ‘unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain’ (Jn. 12:24). We must not hide or just save our money or talents, as one of the disciples aptly exemplified in the Parable of Jesus under review. Not all savings yield profit (vv. 20-23). This calls for an understanding of how to save, and where to save. Not all grounds are fertile. We need God’s grace and directives to identify fertile grounds to sow in, for wonderful profits.
Every bit of Creation: animate or inanimate, visible and invisible, flora and fauna are God’s intentional investment. He also taught His disciples to use and invest what they have (Matt. 15:33,34ff). It is what we invest that brings profit. Use what you have! Invest your earthly possessions, talents and gifts! Make profit for both yourself and God’s kingdom.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Thank God for His goodness.
2. Pray for wisdom to invest what God gives you, at the right time, place, and profitably.
3. Pray for CAC Babalola Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Joshua 14 – 16