Good day Saints in Christ Jesus. You are all welcome to another new day. Glory to God for the gift of life. I declare that the Lord God will empower you with the ability to create wealth, which will always be enough to be generous, so that many will be drawn to God and always thank Him for your gifts which they receive, in Jesus name.
In our today’s episode 512 of studying and understanding the Bible, we shall be examining Jeremiah Chapter 22 titled:
4 Practical Secrets That Will Make You Stay Long In Leadership Position
Jeremiah 22: 1-2 The Lord told me to go to the palace of the king of Judah, the descendant of David, and there tell the king, his officials, and the people of Jerusalem to listen to what the Lord had said:
3 “I, the Lord, command you to do what is just and right. Protect the person who is being cheated from the one who is cheating him. Do not mistreat or oppress aliens, orphans, or widows; and do not kill innocent people in this holy place.
4 If you really do as I have commanded, then David’s descendants will continue to be kings. And they, together with their officials and their people, will continue to pass through the gates of this palace in chariots and on horses.
Good News Translation
Everyone in leadership is holding a very sensitive position and therefore must be careful not to jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of those they lead.
This Chapter gives an account of four major instructions given to the royal house by Prophet Jeremiah, which is of course a continuation of his prophecies from the previous chapter (Jeremiah 21:11-12), directed to the royal house – the house of David.
Jeremiah is presenting this as a template for every king that must sit on that throne and they must listen and adhere to every instruction in the prophetic words, because they are holding a very sensitive position.
For Jeremiah to have presented this message to the royal house, it means God has revealed to him a lot of atrocities and high level of frauds and unfairness going on in the palace.
Instruction 1: The King must do what is just and right.
Instruction 2: Protect the person who is being cheated from the one who is cheating him.
Instruction 3: Do not mistreat or oppress aliens, orphans, or widows.
Instruction 4: Do not kill innocent people in this holy place.
Thereafter, he also spelt out the reward for obedience those instructions and says:
4 If you really do as I have commanded, then David’s descendants will continue to be kings. And they, together with their officials and their people, will continue to pass through the gates of this palace in chariots and on horses.
Good News Translation
Now, let’s bring this forward to the new testament dispensation and see how Jesus and the Apostles taught this to every believer and those in authority.
Let’s start with Jesus on giving, in Matthew 25:44-46
44 Then they will answer him, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?’ 45 The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.’ 46 These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life.”
Good News Translation
As much as God has given us the capacity as leaders, we must formulate policies, programs and laws that are people oriented, taking into consideration their welfare and wellbeing. This is what developed nations are doing to take care of widows, older persons, unemployed and even small business to thrive.
Matthew 19: 21 Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” 22 When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich.
Good News Translation
In essence, Jesus is explaining to us using the above verse how precious human lives are and the premium value God has placed on mankind and therefore, we must be ready to express the Love of God to mankind in the practical way described above – by giving.
Of course, you can’t help the whole world, but then, you can still help the few around you with the little God has provided for you.
Imagine every rich person doing that, the whole world would be a better place.
Let’s talk about justice
Matthew 23:23 “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You give to God one tenth even of the seasoning herbs, such as mint, dill, and cumin, but you neglect to obey the really important teachings of the Law, such as justice and mercy and honesty. These you should practice, without neglecting the others.
Good News Translation
In the above verse, Jesus was mocking the religious leaders who were emphasizing on tithing even the minutest item, but neglected the real essence of Christianity, which is justice, mercy and honesty. If at all they wanted to keep on practicing their mosaic law or religious activities, they should not have neglected the weightier matters of the law.
Was Jesus using that verse to endorse tithing? Absolutely not. Tithing is actually a matter of choice in the new testament dispensation. What new testament emphasizes on is giving (which is far more rewarding than tithing), because according to Jesus, when you give, especially to the less privileged, you are indirectly doing it for God, because every human being is an express image of God.
In the old covenant, you are limited to 10% and also it’s a must, but in the new covenant, you can do more than that willingly according to your capacity. 2 Cor 9:7-15
Apostle James clearly explains what a true religion should focus on:
James 1:26-27 Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless, and you deceive yourself. 27 What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.
Good News Translation
Does that align with Jeremiah’s message? Absolutely yes!
That’s how to study the old testament. Whatever the Apostles did not teach, we must not use them to form church doctrines. That’s why it is always good to use the Epistles to interpret the old testament books if you must avoid committing grave errors.
If you are holding any position of responsibility, you are a leader and you must promote, justice, honesty, giving, and exhibit all the spiritual fruit that the gift of Salvation produces. Then, you will be happy and stay long on that role.
Proverbs 29:2 says: “Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.”
Good News Translation
To be continued…stay tuned and stay blessed.
Let us pray:
- We pray for all national leaders all over the world, the Lord God will continue to guide their hearts by the power of His Holy Spirit for them to always do the right things for their citizens, in Jesus name.
- Concerning those in need, the Lord will provide for them all. And concerning you reading this message, you will have more than enough to give. Apostle Paul says, “You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.”
- I declare, as you obey God’s rightly divided Word in giving, God will continue to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause, in Jesus name.
- God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will always supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity, in Jesus name.
- The Lord God will empower you with the ability to create wealth which will always be enough to be generous, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive.
- Through your giving and caring gifts, many people will be drawn to God and will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else, in Jesus name.
Bible Readings For Today: The Book of Ezra Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4 with Psalm 116
I call you blessed now and always.
Saturday August 22, 2020 (DDMI)
