By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The general overseer and founder, God’s Greater Grace General Assembly, Intl Incorporated, Benin, Rev Sunny Akenbor has admonished Christian faithful not to despise the act of generosity, saying it is a linking bridge to ones destiny helpers.
He gave the admonishment while speaking on the topic “Opportunity for greatness part II” during the Sunday church service in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Rev. Akenbor said Peter learnt the act of giving by leasing his boat to Jesus to preach the gospel and was not left empty handed rather he was rewarded with a net-tearing catch.
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.
“He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.
“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
“Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
“When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken”, Luke 5:1-9
Akenbor added that giving is a responsibility that should be undertaking by believers though it is a onerous task but christians should be daring to take the risk.
He said Moses after killing an Egyptian who was manhandling an Israelite, he was declared wanted and in the state of him being a fugitive, he was still able to render a helping hand to the seven daughters of Jethro who were being harassed by some shepherds while tending over their father’s flock.
He said some believers would have hidden themselves under such circumstance of being in problem not to have gone for the rescue of those ladies who were being oppressed by other shepherds but Moses set a standard that one can still help even if one is in a difficult situation.
He said when their father learnt of Moses act of protection and bravery, he later gave him his daughter, Zipporah for a wife.
The clergyman advised the members of the congregation not to be discouraged in giving even when it has not yielded the needed dividends at the moment but they should continue as they will soon reap the benefits of their kindness and generosity.
“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good”, Ecclesiastes 11:6
He said christians should see the act of giving as an avenue to receiving from God and not shy away from it noting that, the popular prayer of God supplying all our needs according to His riches in glory was said by Apostle Paul after a certain church made contributions towards his welfare.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
“Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
“Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
“For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
“But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”, Philippians 4:10-19.
