Refuse to be Idle

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God hates idleness because idleness often leads to or results in sinful actions and utterances which do not add value to the life of anyone; to the kingdom of God and do not bless God. A number of biblical case studies attest to this. The highly immoral wife of Potiphar had far too much time on her hands. She began to seek ungodly entertainment because she had absolutely no idea of time and the value of time. If she did, she would have made herself useful to her fellow women particularly the less privileged ones and children. Instead, she capped her folly by telling lies against Joseph who refused to fritter time with her in sin. Please see Genesis Chapter 39.

Jezebel – murderer and idolatress, liar, (1^st Kings Chapter 21 verses 1 to 25); Herodias – murderer and adulterer, (Matthew Chapter 14 verses 1 to 13); Delilah – hypocrite, deceiver, betrayer, and liar had far too much time on their hands; they did not know and understand the value of time so they frittered time in sinful activities which led to the death of many innocent people.

Also, if you compare the widows described in the book of 1^st Timothy Chapter 5 verses 1 to 16 to the widows of Zarephath, Prophetess Anna (Luke Chapter 2 verses 36 to 37); the wonderful mothers of Timothy (2^nd Timothy Chapter 1 verse 5); Mary, the travailing mother of John Mark who opened up her home as a prayer cell for kingdom work (Acts Chapter 12, Romans Chapter 16 verse 6); the very beautiful and hospitable women who supported the ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke Chapters 8 verses 2 to 3, 23 verses 55 to 56, 24 verses 1 to 11); the industrious and artistic women who prepared materials for the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness ((Exodus Chapter 35 verses 25 to 26); the wise mother of Moses who ensured the safety of her son and nurtured him in righteousness (Exodus Chapter 2); wise Priscilla in Acts Chapter 18 verses 1 to 3, Romans Chapter 16 verse 3 and of course the very industrious but unnamed virtuous woman of Proverbs Chapter 31 whom the Bible describes as someone who does not eat the bread of idleness, you will discover that anyone who does not know and understand the value of time will fritter time in activities which have no eternal value.

The Value of Time

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Time is one God’s divine investment on humans which like other divine investments such as skills, talents and expertise demands a return, in point of fact a hundred percent and over return on investments. Time properly utilized or invested translates into mental and intellectual prowess, divine health, academic and economic achievements, spiritual growth, parenthood and as many successes as you can think of. Time promotes and uplifts if time is properly and promptly deployed into divine purposes.

An idle person has absolutely no regard for time because s/he does not understand the value of time. S/he does not know and understand that time is a gift from God, a divine resource distributed to everyone equally for the actualization of divine purpose. Time should therefore not be frittered in idleness such as excessive sleep, rest, chatter, gossip, jesting, outbursts of anger, indecision on issues or actions to be promptly taken and acted on (Proverbs Chapters 19 verse 15; 14 verse 23, 6 verses 6 to 11, 24 verses 30 to 34, 21 verse 25, 1^st Timothy Chapter 5 verses 1 to 16, note verse 13. Time should not be frittered in giving of excuses for not investing time and other resources when you should. Please see Proverbs Chapter 22 verse 13, Mathew Chapter 25 verses 1 to 46 for the very interesting and revealing accounts of the wise and foolish virgins as well as the faithful and unfaithful servants in the parable of talents. It is rather unfortunate that while the wise virgins invested time by planning ahead, the foolish ones frittered time and were consequently barricaded from the meeting with the bridegroom. How do I know that they frittered time? Perhaps you should ask them what they were doing while the wise virgins were taking extra oil in their lamps. That would settle the issue of whether they frittered or invested time. Significantly, the wicked, lazy and unprofitable servant chose to fritter time. What exactly was he doing while his master was away? Did he look for any kind hearted master to serve since he considered his master a heartless person who reaped where he did not plant? Rather the wicked servant chose the path of wickedness by hiding the talent in the ground. Beloved, which is easier to do; banking the talent or digging the ground to hide the talent? He just did not want to be a blessing to anyone. He preferred to just fritter time because time meant nothing to him. He chose the path of idleness.

Desire to be Wealthy

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Truly desire to be wealthy. Do not seek wealth because you have bills waiting to be paid, you want to be like the Joneses, or you want to show off.  Desire and seek wealth because it is the will of God for your life. Please see Deuteronomy Chapter 8 verse 18, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 8 verse 9.

One of the benefits of redemption is divine wealth transfer through Jesus Christ Who became poor so that heirs of salvation such as you and I would become rich. Also, God in His infinite mercy gives you power to create wealth so that you can be wealthy. To do this, God blesses the work of your hands (Psalms 85 verse 12, 104 verses 13 to 15, Zechariah Chapter 8 verse 12, Leviticus Chapter 26 verses 1 to 10, Deuteronomy Chapters 8 verses 6 to 9, 11 verses 10 to 15, 12 verses 7, 17, 14 verse 29, 15 verses 4, 10, 14, 18, 16 verses 17, 15, 23 verse 20, 24 verse 19, 28 verses 1 to 13, 30 verses 5, 9, 16); gives you divine ideas and unusual abilities (Joseph, Daniel, Huram and many others; and also safeguards the works of your hands from satanic predators be they spiritual, physical or mental (Malachi Chapter 3 verses , Ezekiel Chapters s 34 verses 25 to 30, 36 verse 30).

Beloved, it is the will of God for you to be wealthy, live in wealth and enjoy wealth. Please see 3^rd John 1 and 2.

Leverage Strengths and Opportunities

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Your strengths constitute your competitive advantage; the divine edge you have over your competition. That is what separates you from the pack to give you advantages, edges, leverages, that you can always use to outbid and outshine your competition. Identify your strengths and the value of your strengths.

Opportunities on the other hand are platforms for you to showcase your strengths and be financially rewarded for your strengths. Opportunities could be created, identified or they could just come your way. Whichever, it is your responsibility to find them and take advantage of them.

The Apostle Paul took advantage of the interest shown him by the Epicureans and Stoic philosophers in Athens to preach the gospel. He was careful to refer to the inscription of the unknown God and centered his message on who God is and how God should be worshipped, Acts Chapter 17 verses 18 to 34. Make hay while the sun shines.

In Jesus’ discourse with the woman at the well in John Chapter 4, Jesus took advantage of the opportunity at the well to lead the woman to God. You can and should create a demand for your goods and services. After the woman found salvation, she became a powerful mouthpiece of the gospel that brought the men of Samaria to Jesus and consequently, the entire community to Jesus as they begged Jesus to stay with them.

In 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verse 7, the widow of the indebted prophet was instructed to – “Go sell the oil”. Go and search for the people who need the oil and sell to them and even if you have identified the people, take the goods and services to them. Do not wait for them to come to you. As they see the products and you the seller, they will buy.

Decisions Decide Wealth 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The owner and source of wealth is God. Significantly, He created you wealthy (Deuteronomy Chapters 8 verse 18, 15 verse 6, 28 verses 12 and 13). Connect to God through salvation by faith in Christ Jesus, invest in a relationship with Him today and become wealthy through Him.

Wealth acquisition and accumulation is progressive. It is not a one off event. Though the activities leading up to progressive wealth acquisition and accumulation may be a one off activity, the truth is that the process is progressive. No billionaire became a billionaire overnight. They progressively accumulated wealth and as each wealth grew progressively, they became wealthy (Genesis Chapter 26 verses 12 to 14).

Do not allow anyone to stifle you or the gifts of God in you. God deposited His gifts in you to enrich you, expand you and enlarge you to great wealth. If you therefore allow people to stifle you or your gifts, you become impoverished and poor.

Reject Aid. No one was born poor. People become poor on account of the choices they make in life. Aid truncates divine destinies. Aid limits people from applying themselves, stretching themselves to excel and to rise up to their potentials in Christ Jesus. Aid fosters a dependence mentality which ultimately translates to mental and financial poverty – Genesis Chapter 49 verses 14 to 15. Aid makes people complacent especially sustained aid.