Signs & Wonders (Sunday, March 27, 2016)
Engaging the Wonders of Kingdom Stewardship!
By Bishop David Oyedepo
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:31-33).
Serving God and the interest of His Kingdom as a lifestyle puts us in command of all things that others are ‘dying’ or struggling to get. As it is written:
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing (Psalms 34:10).
The word ‘seek’ in the above scripture simply means serve. That is, those who truly serve God and the interest of His Kingdom shall not want any good thing as revalidated in Matthew 6:33. This makes serving God a big time business indeed!
Concerning Jesus, the Bible records: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38).
Jesus referred to His earthly assignment as ‘doing the father’s business’. He said: …How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49).
But, How is serving God a big time business?
Serving God and the interest of His Kingdom offers unmatchable returns. That means no institution, organization or government can offer what serving God procures. As it is written:
And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil (Exodus 23:25-26).
It is also written: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures (Job 36:11).
Those who genuinely serve God are naturally free from the affliction of sicknesses and diseases, among others. For instance, Moses was in active Kingdom service and the Bible records that at one hundred and twenty years, his eyes were neither dim nor his natural force abated. Also, as long as the twelve disciples were with Jesus serving, none of them was reported sick. Thus, active stewardship entitles us to health, vitality and longevity, thereby, making us indestructible (Deuteronomy 34:7; Mark 3:14).
However, spiritual stewardship which includes soul-winning, is the most profitable of all forms of Kingdom stewardship. Remember that spiritual stewardship is all about engagement in Kingdom advancement endeavours and these include praying for souls to be saved, reaching out to the lost in love and passion, thereby, expanding the Kingdom of God on the earth.
As we all know, a business is any venture one engages in for profitability. Therefore, since serving God is Kingdom business, then there are specific returns to enjoy as we engage in it. Remember, God is not a user of men but a ‘rewarder’ of them who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
What, then, are some of the specific returns on soul-winning?
- Soul-winning endues men with divine wisdom: Soul-winning endues every believer with divine wisdom. The Bible says: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).
Every soul winner is in partnership with Jesus. Therefore, when we walk with God through soul-winning, His wisdom rubs off on us. Moreover, as we engage in soul-winning, we are tapping into divine wisdom which launches us into realms of exploits. Concerning Jesus, the Bible records:
And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (Matthew 13:54; see also Psalms 104:24)
The proof of divine wisdom is extraordinary and out-of-this-world order of accomplishments. No wonder every soul winner ends up a man or woman of exploits, which connotes pacesetting and trailblazing accomplishments. This is because by walking with the only wise God, we are tapping into divine wisdom which establishes our dominion in our fields of endeavour (Mark 16:15-20).
- It empowers us to scale new heights: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever (Daniel 12:3).
- It empowers us to command signs and wonders: And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen (Mark 16:20).
Let’s recognise that the ultimate of Kingdom stewardship is our supernatural settlement. It is written:
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:31-33).
The man Solomon was the wealthiest king in his days. He never asked God for riches; it was added to him because He sought God and the affairs of His Kingdom. The Bible says:
And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king (2 Chronicles 1:11).
At a time I asked God, “Won’t You be patient for someone to pray before You answer?” This was because I would just think of something and it happened. He said, “No, there is a company of people who before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking, I have performed.” I believe those are people who seek first the Kingdom of God. He won’t wait for them to ask for anything; rather, He adds it to them.
We must understand that the greatest events of our lives are not things we labour or sweat for but things that are added to us. I once said that not all winners sweat to win. According to scriptures, ‘sweating’ is a curse but when we seek first the interest of God’s Kingdom in all righteousness, we are guaranteed all-round rest. For instance, when the congregation of Judah entered into a covenant to serve God, He gave them rest roundabout. Likewise, when we enter into a covenant to seek God with the whole of our hearts and desires, God is committed to settle us supernaturally and He adds to us what others are struggling to get (Genesis 3:19; 2 Chronicles 15:15).
Therefore, all we need is to enter into a covenant to serve the interest of the Kingdom on the earth as a lifestyle and our inexplicable but undeniable settlement will follow. As we do so, this season will mark the beginning of unending rest in our lives in Jesus’ name! Remain ever blessed!
Jesus is Lord!
Prophetic Blessings
- Whatever has been unsettled in your life beyond a while and a moment is declared settled finally!
- Every stronghold of the devil against your destiny is made desolate in one hour!
- Your marital destiny is released today!
- That family turmoil ends today!
- All your health issues are turned to testimony!
- Every mark of the wicked over your life is overturned from its roots today!
- Today, that siege on your career and business is overturned by the anointing!
- The kind of job no connection can give you, receive it today!
- Every generational curse responsible for your unrest is declared broken!
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