ESOCS Devotional 24 June
TEXT: ACTS 5:1-20
MEMORY VERSE: “And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the Apostles feet.” Acts 5:2 KJV
What you keep back has the capacity to keep you back in life, and destiny. As in our text, many persons have been kept back in life, academics, marriage, business, ministry, career, etc. because of what they kept back from the Lord at one time or the other. King Saul kept back Agag and some other beautiful things from the Amalekites destruction and that truncated his kingship destiny (1 Sam. 15:9). Achan kept back the accursed thing from Jericho invasion, the children of Israel suffered heavily in the hands of Ai with several casualties, and Achan and his entire household were equally destroyed (Joshua 7:1-26). Gehazi, Elisha’s servant kept back from Naaman what Elisha had rejected and the man’s leprosy came upon him, and of course, that was the end of his ministerial journey (2 Kings 5:20-27).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
What are some of the things we keep back?
- Tithe: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” (Mal. 3:10). Most times our tithe payment is not complete; we pay part and keep back the rest. Sometimes, we do not pay at all. To keep back your tithe is to rob God. It is good we note that the 10% of your earnings and income does not belong to you. when you eat it, you destroy your life and destiny (Gen. 2:17). The tithe is not yours; do not keep it back!
- THANKSGIVING: “And Jesus answering said, where there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:17-19).When you keep back the thanksgiving of the blessings and favour you receive from God, you show ingratitude and eventually block the road against more blessings; for thanksgiving is application for more.
- OFFERINGS:“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me, but ye say wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Mal. 3:8). So many people see offerings and giving to God as a waste or cheating. To keep back your offering is to fall short of the law of harvest. It is good we note that the harvest is in the seed.
- SERVICE: Instead of rendering full service to God and humanity, we keep it back for reasons best known to us, not knowing that it is equally hindering us from accessing what is meant to serve us.
- PRAISE AND WORSHIP:God requires your full praise and worship, for that is the entire duty of man. “This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise” (Is. 43:21).Do not hold back the praise of God; it is an unrewarding venture.
- WISDOM:“And how I kept nothing back that was profitable unto you…”Acts 20:20. “…but wisdom is profitable to direct” (Eccl. 10:10).Do not keep back the wisdom and knowledge God has given you for the benefit of humanity.
BOTTOM LINE: Never keep back what is not yours, as you will end up losing what is yours.
CHALLENGES
- Always deal sincerely in your walk with God.
- Whatever belongs to God, never let greed and pride make you keep it back.
- Ensure you give your best to God without hesitation, at all times.
PRAYER POINT: Lord, I am grateful for all you have given and done to me. I ask that you forgive my days of withholding what is yours. Grant me the grace to remain steadfast to you, in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Ezekiel 20:1-27; 20:28-49; Acts 5:21-42
