Mark 12:1-9. Matthew 12:7-9.
A young man can always boast of his strength. He has got a lot of it. He can always boast of it because it gives him some privilege, some advantage, some plus, going forward. So when our LORD Jesus Christ gave this teaching on a man that left some husbandmen to tend his vine press and went into another country, it was as though He was merely telling stories to fill space. But it was not!
The reality of the matter is that there are people who are sitting down and waiting for the person who has gone out, who owns his business and put them in charge, to take over the business. They hang around and wait for the opportune time. When this opportunity strikes, they are there to take their spoils. I don’t know if this has happened to you, I have seen it happen again and again. People simply wait for the right moment to take advantage of others . They do it and smile away as though nothing had happened. Yet it is all together evil, very satanic.
Think of it yourself. You had a house and put tenants in it, expecting their rents whenever it’s due. But sadly, the moment the time to pay their rent comes, they went and plotted against the owner, how to cut him short , and ensure that he never benefitted from his hard earned labour. They waited to kill the man through whom they paid .They did it , until the man chose to come himself to see things as they are.
I don’t know how you are dealing with certain things in life. Things like the resources that God has blessed you with, the funds you have, the expensive things like jewelry items, food items, the house, established businesses, amongst others. These things are needed to make life easier and better for those who have them.
But I ask you, how have you used these things to make life easier or better?
Have you used these things to add value to the existence of others? Have you used these things to add value to your existence in life? Have you used these things to make the other person feel that he belongs? As you search your mind and thoughts, let me remind you that the whole essence of life is to be able to live well and also make an impact in the lives of others. What value are you adding to people’s lives?
We can equally look at the scene this way. If you are the one benefiting from the kindness of someone who is trying to better your life, how are you treating your benefactor? Are you being sincere or are you constantly looking for ways to cheat or swindle him? Do you pay your rent when due? Do you attend very well to the business you have been put in charge of even when the owner is not there to put checks and balances in place? Do you pay for those things you bought on credit, remembering that the owner if the business is tying down capital in helping you out? Remember the Bible says it’s required of stewards to be found faithful.
As a benefactor, what have these husbandmen done to you? Have they rendered you bankrupt? Have they run you into debts? What have the husbandmen done to you that can not be forgiven? What measures are you taking, or have you taken to exact justice for yourself? Have you been able to bring yourself to show mercy?
Matthew 12 : 7 – 9 talks about God’s preference of mercy to sacrifice. Looking at this as mere mortals, it’s difficult to immediately think of mercy when we’ve been betrayed or duped, but this is what God wants. This is the reason Jesus came. To show that mercy triumphs over judgment. It is our reaction or response to these types of things that show how rich we are. Riches transcend money or assets. The state of our hearts and minds show true riches.
So, again, HOW RICH ARE YOU? May the Lord grant us an understanding of these things. Amen.
Pastor Luke Okoro can be reached on +2348051000462.
