The Rich Fool

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Bode Ososami

If we can gather so much financially and succeed in material and visible things…surely we deserve some credit. Jesus Christ did not always think so.

Luke 12[15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

In the text Jesus Christ warns…

Be careful – even as you work hard and diligently gather …we are not to strive and work without being sensitive to what we really are doing. What are our real motives? Who is our real employer?
Be even more careful and recognise the evil of covetousness …envious yearnings and desires for what someone else has or what we would love to have for our pleasure. Beware of lack of contentment
Do not come to the wrong conclusion that God’s pleasure and the value of your life is reflected remotely in your possessions or approval of men

The man described as a fool excelled as a role model in many areas…

In industry and would have been acclaimed a great success
Great personal resolve and determination – a great thinker and an accomplished planner and achiever…a proactive and disciplined honest business man – who could perhaps be at the peak in his career or industry
A man of wisdom and exceptional foresight – purchased good seed, excellent logistics to transfer and store produce…excellent timing…made great plans for His future…laid treasures for himself…a leader in Industry. Emotionaly balanced – Financially fit. Healthy, trim with a wonderful family.

But there were few things he was not doing so well. This included the following…

He was not rich towards God – not using what God had given for His glory and cause. He did not quite understand the glory of God and had no sense for His cause and God’s agenda at the time.
He seemed certain about everything but did not consider what would happen at his death – to him and to his goods… nor was he aware of the timing of his death or the destination of his soul. He was confident on the things that did not matter as much. You could say he majored in the minor and minored in the major – He was a titan in material things but in spiritual things only a novice…
His main preoccupation was how to rise to the top, live at ease, eat and drink and be merry…His happiness and pleasure was his goal. Indeed he had mastered how to achieve this goal and was set to achieving it.

There are many topics and issues that are not popular especially to the self confident achiever. These are considered too negative or perhaps too unclear to be given any serious attention. “Why worry about what you cannot be sure about” seems to be the rich fool’s philosophy …why can we not instead just celebrate what we can see and touch?

Jesus Christ calls him a fool because he knew little, talk less of being certain about the matters of the soul and the ultimate destination of his spirit. Heaven and eternal damnation in Hell were not topics the fool wants to give much attention. Death was a subject he would prefer to not even consider seriously…

Watch him…laughing, drinking, celebrating and so full of mirth….rushing off to teach the next success seminar or collecting another award … grinning at the applause…as he contemplates another investment or business idea – set to capture the market again. Most envy him and spend sleepless nights searching for his secret recipe …

The Rich Fool he is called…even as Jesus patiently waits for him.

You can also enjoy a teaching from Episode Three:The Rock on “ Jesus – The Sure Foundation ” below

God bless you as you enjoy viewing.

Bode

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

7 Principles for Financial Peace

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Bode Ososami

John 17[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace in the areas of finances is an area in which many seek Biblical perspective and direction. We understand that the peace of God is not just through principles but rather is the gift of God – not given as the world would give…but received by faith and complete obedience to His word.

There are 7 aspects of Biblical ethics that relate to Financial Peace. This may not be complete but nevertheless is a good place to start.

Debt-free living
Wise investing
Generous giving
Lifestyle of moderation
Diligence and Industry
Caring for the family
Honouring God in finances

As we permit the word of God and the interpreter – the Holy Spirit, to guide our ways on these issues – we may or may not appear on Forbes list of the worlds wealthiest…but will know a peace that is alien to the world.

Debt free living

Proverbs 22[7] The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. [26] Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another’s debts. (Amp) The one who saves is the lender…purpose to pay off existing mortgages ASAP. Do not borrow especially for consumables or for status. Get rid of credit cards. Save…Save…Save. (Enjoy this article on How to stay debt-free and mastering credit.)

Wise Investing

Invest for retirement and for the future conservatively on instruments in which you understand the risk profile. “Conservative” means investment for stability sometimes at the expense of promised gains. The Bible in saying we shall lend to nations seems to imply that stability of investments is preferred to promise of returns with added risk. Defer expenditure and let the power of compound interest work for you. Seek expert advice (beware of ungodly counsel) and compare counsel from different sources. Pray for final direction.

Generous giving

Proverbs 11 [24] There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Do not ask me how this works…but it does. There is a mystery to the great value in releasing our precious things and consideration to establish the covenant of God and for the poor…being like a flowing stream to which God can pour His wealth into.

Lifestyle of Moderation

Phillipians 4 [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Phillipians [19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Guard your heart from consumer marketing that attacks moderation and fuels passion to spend on what you really do not need ( but may be able to afford) …or more precisely what the Holy Spirit has not asked you to buy. Seeking to make a statement with a show of luxury is great folly. Worse still is if the money is borrowed or is in stewardship. Luxurious and sumptuous fare financed from parishioners who do not enjoy this lifestyle is oppression and not Christianity. God promises to meet the needs of faithful stewards and not the wants of the squanderer. True religion bridges gaps – through communal sharing and love. (Read more about frugal living of Warren Buffet)

Diligence and Industry that adds value to society

Matthew25 [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The profitable servant is hard-working and makes contributions, creates value through enterprise in an open competitive market. Idleness/sloth and practices that protect unfair competition and finance indolence are natural partners to confusion.

Caring for the Family

I Timothy 5[8] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. God cares about traditional family values. A man, a woman and the household must be cared for. Parents must be honoured with giving. Set funds aside for education, aged parents, unplanned births. A recent statistic showed 21.3% of abortions (which God calls murder) result from lack of financial preparation) It is wise to maintain a family emergency fund. Trifling with God’s instructions on the family is simply asking for trouble.

Honouring God in Finances

I Samuel 2[30] Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Honouring God by giving offerings, tithes and first fruits to God out of love for Him is not legalism but confirms that He is the owner, provider and protector of our wealth. You cannot expect peace if you treat God shabbily by dropping alms and leftovers or crumbs from what completely belongs to Him in the first place. Observe the superiority of the giving of Abel who gave the firstlings of his flock. Genesis 4 [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. Giving God the first and the best of our increase is only smart.

Hebrews 12 [14] Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Jesus reigns forever.

Bode

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

A Christmas Carol – Will you let Jesus go?

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Bode Ososami

A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens about miserly, cold, unfeeling, old and curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge and his holiday conversion and redemption after being visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve. The book was first published on 19 December 1843 and quickly met with commercial success and critical acclaim. The tale is viewed as an indictment of 19th century industrial capitalism and has been credited with returning the holiday to one of merriment and festivity in Britain and America after a period of Puritan sobriety and sombreness. Till today it remains perhaps one of the most popular themes for family entertainment in the season and is noted for having secularized the season - making it a holiday that all may enjoy. The best thing about Carol is its significant role in reinventing Christmas with an emphasis on family, goodwill, and compassion.

In this clip, also seen on Christian post movie centre , a young Scrooge chooses his love of money over love for his fiancée.

I do not like this film not just because of its strong links to occultic deception(ghosts) - but its success in rekindling traditions of extravagant holiday consumption which effaced sober reflections eventually easing Jesus Christ completely out . It achieved this in a clever way – rightly denouncing capitalist exploitation and expounding the virtues of joy, generousity and care for the poor and less privileged – but also employing strong negative themes and images that severely caricatured and discredited Ebenezer Scrooge.

Ebenezer actually means “The stone of help” and Scrooge means ” a miserly mean-spirited person”. This combined nomenclature vaguely suggests the “stone of help” is miserly and mean. The plot unfolding here was to kill and bury Christian puritanism at the time of Charles Dickens and you be the judge on its effectiveness.

However, I want to focus on the clip above (pls. watch it again) and the frustration of Ebenezer’s fiancee which reminds me of the appeal of Christ in His words to Peter.

John 12[15] So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

How long will Jesus Christ continue to beg to be loved as He observes His lambs (souls) starved of salvation by His word, true comfort and provision. Like Ebenezer told Emily, we have told Jesus – all the merriment is for Him, we are really doing it all for Him, working for Him, giving for Him, earning more to tithe to Him and our joyful singing and dancing is unto Him… all the things we do that keep us busy, we say we do it for Him….but we lie like Scrooge – we do it all for our self..to please our flesh. Jesus replies that He never cared for our activities but just wants our love, which we should show by spreading His gospel and discipling and comforting the nations to live as pilgrims in a strange world.

Eventually Jesus gives back all the gold we say we have given Him…and whatever else we want …money, position, mega-churches, power and our dreams…only that He be left alone. Some do quickly accept this offer and return to business-as-usual and will indeed end up becoming very wealthy but secretly grow in misery. The wise find the grace to say no. Instead they release the frenzied occupation that allows no time for God but comes with generous bonuses, they shut down the many religious activities that are cold and empty and come apart to rediscover a new relationship with Christ - chasing after Him with a fresh zeal … abandoning all like a young man with his first love. Jesus is our Ebenezer and He is neither miserly nor mean-spirited … He is love. When we truly find Him – we will love through Him in a way the world has never known.

Go after Jesus like never before this season and let everything else go. When we have gone after Him and encountered His mercy, love and embrace we then discover that we have found everything.

Isaiah 55[6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a wonderful new year.

God bless you

Bode

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

How to know if you are serving “mammon”.

Posted on November 22, 2009 by Bode Ososami

Matthew 6[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Money There are two warring masters who are distinct in their influence to dominate your life, thoughts and very being. You cannot be on the fence…indeed one master must be despised if the other reigns. Christ says we cannot serve both. He also teaches that we cannot be neutral to these commanding forces…if we are not under one domain by default we are under another. I have encountered many Christian finance blogs that seem to suggest we can have the best of both worlds but this is not the teaching of Christ. I have also seen so many great and helpful tools (some on my blog) that help us be financially responsible and often concerned (if we are not careful) that these do not become a new line of “modern toys “ that preoccupy us well. But we eventually miss the point as they do help us to win the urgent money battle only to lose the critical war. When we put so much focus on money, we are always lured into a romance with an intensely jealous and controlling mistress that will not permit Christ any ground.

How then can we know if we are serving “ mammon”? There are seven (7) simple questions in this blog. Be certain that for each question you will only be able to hold on to one selection and never both. If your life leans more to the bold italicised clause then perhaps you are not in mammon’s grip. Then intercede for the freedom of others …

Is the Word of God on finances/money a pretext (something that is put forward to conceal a true purpose or object; an ostensible reason; excuse…to support or propagate a principle we already elect to embrace) OR is the Word the main text that drives behaviour (the leading theme that controls our life – even when challenging to your acceptance)?
Are we focused on the situational ethics of money ( right behaviour based on current expectations of society and business culture) OR are we committed concerning our decisions to the leading of the Holy Spirit of Christ – the interpreter of God’s word especially in the little things the world considers immaterial?
Where are we making friends/spending most our time/forging and leveraging our alliances…and investing our money and efforts? Is it mainly to make more money OR to win souls for Christ and be Christ-like?
Is our concentrated objective the stewardship and discovery of what Christ calls the True Riches OR any kind of riches will do?
Have we been mastered by Godly contentment and ruled by its humbling sceptre OR are we restless and anxious to preserve or achieve a lifestyle that is driven by lusts, passions and irresistible marketing of gadgets and materials?
Do we accept that worldly wealth though not evil in itself has a natural association with sin and can be our god requiring extra care for those who must embrace it OR do we conclude that we can easily blossom in worldly wealth – drink and be merry.
Have we well addressed in our lives the foolishness of laying up treasures for ourselves here and being uncertain of the state of our eternal bank account – i.e. the state and reality of our eternal dwellings OR we think eternity will take care of itself, let’s figure out how to pay today’s bill and manage assets and liabilities we can see.

Ephesians 1[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

We will find out that Christ is right in that it is deception to conclude that we can be on both sides.. To have Christ reign is a full-time deal demanding full allegiance and devotion. Similarly to be a servant to mammon is to be under a powerful influence that demands complete, unalloyed, homogenous and undivided attention to its gospel.

This does not mean we cannot be wealthy and be free from mammon. Possessions do not have to be another god. Instead, possessions should be a means of glorifying God and advancing the Kingdom of God – otherwise they will become destructive … eventually.

Ecclesiastes 5:[10] He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Read more in my recent publication Wealth out of Ashes. Also, for more reflections and related articles and free subscription to articles please click icon below. Be blessed as you also enjoy the audio teaching “Christ’s view of Money, Mammon” on the side bar.

Have a blessed day. Amen.

Bode

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

The African Dream and “fake” wealth

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Bode Ososami

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/7196941" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.vimeo.com']);">http://www.vimeo.com/7196941</a>

I recently saw the (pls click following links if not showing) video embedded above and read the article “Did Jesus wear designer clothes” in Christianity today on certain developments in the “African “ Church. Quite interesting reading… indeed so true in many regards. Many commented on the linkage in African expressions of worship and the natural appeal of the prosperity gospel to cultural traditions and rituals of seeking to know and manage the future against evil forces etc .

When the missionaries brought the gospel to Africa…it did transform lives and new older converts sent their many wives packing while the younger saints married and couples stuck together – divorce was almost completely unheard of in the body of Christ and certainly not amongst leadership … even though polygamy was very rife in our old traditions. We learnt from our fathers and much older brothers that the true gospel indeed has power to change lives or it can not be the true gospel. But soon … they became too old-fashioned for us.

More recently, fresh imports of “Christianity-lite” via American televangelism ( with highly effective fund raising calls and magical entertainment) raged unstoppably through the networks like a fiery fire…at a time when vulnerable impoverished peoples with no social safety-nets seeking hope against socio-political oppression were immediately inevitably attracted to the new “solutions” and soon became outstanding disciples…and clones of these televangelists could be seen developing all over the continent…propagating churches with the “marketing” strategies of their mentors…and ofcourse this all played to the script of the enemy of the true church.

The disciples and ardent followership of these “modern” missions are now maturing and the seed sown is bearing the fruit it must…

Matthew 7[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

But the counterfeit only proves the existence of a magnificent jewel of great value…a forged “mona lisa” testifies to the beauty of the original…All this suggests there is some masterpiece that must be faked. Christ is the masterpiece and He reigns. Seeking the true God is indeed worth it…Go for the original. He has true riches.

Luke 16 [11] If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches ?

Bode

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

King Uzziah, Queen Esther, Ann Boleyn and Wealth

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Bode Ososami

May God help us to die daily. Amen. Every day I look at the Word, I hear God speaking His old truths which are ever living spirits through the ages in yet new and fresh ways for illumination and strength. The wisdom of God may seem simple, obvious and plain yet the powerful Prophet Isaiah missed it until he saw King Uzziah dead and then we read “He saw also the Lord”. Why also? What is so attractive and compelling about Uzziah that even in death Isaiah’s gaze was fixed on him?

Isaiah 6 [1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

I dare confess to my more spiritual mentors that I thoroughly enjoyed recently watching “One Night with the King” featuring great actors like Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole. One Night With the King is an epic motion picture set in an ancient and exotic world of gripping adventure, intrigue and romance, that follows a young beautiful Jewish orphan who rises from peasant to Queen of Persia only to face the annihilation of her people. The film had it all – beauty, morality, lavish wealth, fantastic dreams coming true, exciting and witty conversation, suspense, wisdom and intellect, joys and thrills, honour, courage, valour, music, art …and Queen Esther had it all. Can we not have it all ?… Read on.

The most important part of the plot was when she suddenly found herself facing the loss of all her dreams and her life suddenly threatened by the unmatchable intrigue of Haman the Agagite. Her response was to risk it all for God. She breached a protocol that demanded her very life. Mordecai informs Esther that the Jews only hope is for her to risk her life and go before the King unsummoned (a crime punishable by death) to intercede for her people. It is then that Esther utters those fateful words that have rung through the centuries, “If I perish, I perish,” as she races off with one last chance to save her people.

Esther saw her “King Uzziah” dead as she obeyed God. This did not just save her from a tragic end, but ushered a greater wealth and eternal honour in the annals of the history of her people. The greatest lesson was not her achievement to emerge as royalty but her short speech ending in “…If I perish I perish”. The perishing of “I” in Christ… is the end of Uzziah and the beginning of divine wealth…the treasured secret of all those who will see God’s Heaven.

The Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31(amp) [31] I assure you by the pride which I have in you in your fellowship and union with Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily – I face death every day and die to self.

King Uzziah will not be ignored and Isaiah could not help but see him and certainly could not kill him. The Lord will not reign in our finances or indeed in anything else until He has helped us to dethrone Uzziah. The end of Uzziah is the beginning of eternal and limitless possibilities in all spheres for God. Only a few categories are listed as follows – they all tend to revolve around “self” in different ways. Uzziah was a king who came to the throne at the age of 16…started well but ended badly. What are the manifestations of Uzziah – the bewitching attractions of the modern era?

Human intellect and civil perfection producing great and “humble” well meaning performance imagined as pleasing to God. Humanism and traditions enslave the mind through corrupted education and media brainwashing. These are mental comforts that mask hidden ambitions and corruptions to enthrone man in all spheres even in the religious church and more so in the new so called post-church “free” movements now apparently emerging with new internet gurus.
Subtle deviations to God’s complete word – propagating new and more palliative truths, beliefs and thought bondage supernaturally supervised and upheld by invisible overpowering hierarchies of spiritual wickedness. Man is enthroned in scripture interpretation and revisions abound to serve different thirsts and evil agenda.
Negative self promotion (thinking mankind is too bad for God‘s mercy and restoration) also enthrones man…opens channels for self-condemnation and Pharisaic accusation and silences divine compassion and intercession for revival.

Favour from men can be a bewitching culprit. Ask another Queen, Ann Boleyn – one of the six wives of King Henry VIII described as “ a giddy woman of no stability of character, her success turned her head and caused her to behave with insolence and impropriety” She did not have the help to say “if I perish I perish” but nevertheless died a very involuntary and wicked death on Tower Green, her head being struck off with a sword by the executioner of Calais brought to England for the purpose.

The Holy Spirit is our helper and He helps us die daily. Without Uzziah’s death, Isaiah may have prophesied many things but not fulfilled his destiny. If Esther was not helped to see the dethronement of her dreams she would have surely ended up butchered sooner or later by the wicked schemes of Haman – not very different from Anne Boleyn. If we do not go to the word of God and seek help from the Holy Spirit to die daily…wealth will become an executioner’s sword that studies all our passions and knows when best to strike. With the help of the Holy Spirit, God helps us to die and then can freely give us what we can have…knowing it is for keeps…and He can very well decide not to…reserving a better resurrection.

As Esther lived the life of a peasant orphan, a queen in the palace and God’s heroine for all time. Our life can also be seen in 3 segments. First, before we knew Christ. Second, invitation into royalty as we surrender to Him and ultimately maturing into a life of daily death in Him.

Let me end with a famous quote from my missionary friend, Sam Kputu. “The real danger of drifting from Christ and Biblical Christianity is not that we will struggle to come back; the real danger is that we end up creating new “truths”, new values, new targets and new pivots for our lives. And we even begin to celebrate and propagate them. “Read your Bible and pray every day, if you want to grow…” Remember that Sunday School rhyme?”

And another local saying from a speech by another Nigerian friend – Pat Utomi - speaking on the difference between leadership and management and the inevitable outcomes of bad leadership or absence of leadership in any nation… I found a link to face book for the article…

“The King that was enthroned and the city flourished, we know him – while, the king that was enthroned and the city diminished, we also know him” Nigerian proverb.

I am a poor politician to suggest that we let the Holy Spirit lead. In Recession or in the best of times we can stop managing ourselves … and soon we will surely see the difference.

Read more in Wealth out of Ashes. Also, for more reflections and related articles and free subscription to articles by the author please click icon below.

Have a blessed day. May God help us to shine in Him always. Amen.

Bode

Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Celebrating 49 years of Greatness

Posted on October 3, 2009 by Bode Ososami

Nigeria and China share the same independence anniversary on October 1. But while China is 60, this year, Nigeria is 49. In Nigeria the celebrations have been low key…perhaps not so in China. Why then have I titled this blog 49 years of greatness? Are we talking about the same country?

Greatness

I offer words of comfort to everyone who has ever been left wondering – why was I created thus? Why am I the subject of so much ridicule, disdain and reproach? Why do I feel so despised though I know there is still so much good in me? Why do I have this conviction that greatness is my destiny – yet can only find evidence of decay, barrenness and corruption?

These were frequently the thoughts of David. Indeed when he showed up at the battle with his brothers’ lunch pack, his older brother yelled at him. I Samuel 17[28] What are you doing here! Why aren’t you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you’re up to. You’ve come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!”

David learnt to celebrate God and what God had etched in his soul and not what was evident. He wrote these words.

Psalm139[14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139 [16] Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. [17] How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Of all the characters in the Bible, David was perhaps the most denied, humiliated, desperate and terrified…so much that we read in 1 Samuel 21 [11] And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? [12] And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. [13] And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. [14] Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? [15] Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

But “mad” David was the one God called the man after His heart, the one whose life replicated so much the sacrifice of the coming Messiah and whose praises, songs and obsession with God earned perhaps (apart from Jesus Christ himself) the most celebrated and prestigious title in the annals of scripture – for Christ is called the son of David.

Join me in celebrating 49 years of greatness. Nigeria, I pray that everything that was absent from God’s plan, on that day - before the foundations of the earth when you were conceived, will soon fade away. I do say the same prayer for someone out there reading – you will yet be celebrated in Christ Jesus. Amen.

More on God’s perspective on contemporary issues can be found in my recently published book Wealth out of Ashes .

For related articles and free subscription to articles by the author please click icon below.

Have a blessed day. Amen.

Bode Ososami

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Compensation and the Recession

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Bode Ososami

“A chief executive officer of a Standard & Poor’s 500 company was paid, on average, $10.4 million in total compensation in 2008, according to preliminary data from The Corporate Library.” Says 2009 Executive Pay watch.

The question has been asked what is fair to pay and reward a high performing executive in a bank or elsewhere? Recent interventions respond in outrage, as the recession hits hard, to cap compensation. We’ve also seen how expectations of future bonuses led many into debts and bankruptcy as values of assets fell. One also notes the exposure of greed and embarrassment of those who innocently received generous awards only to later discover that they could not have deserved these payments.

But God is not against compensation. Although a God of grace and not merit, He is a rewarder. Fairness and justice are major pillars in His throne room. He is also able to accurately weigh actions and establish true and exact causes and consequences. Unfortunately man cannot often establish the complete consequence of an action taken today nor know the real cause of a positive and negative performance. God, on the other hand, dwells in absolute, perfect and complete knowledge and reigns in all of time at the same time. At best it is fair to say our compensation models reward and punish only what we perceive and is enough a case to be conservative and cap our awards…for they are always at best faulty. We should, for the same reasons, equally be cautious in the severity of our punishments as we often will misjudge the issues.

But God is a rewarder of diligence and His awards seem not to be capped or subject to human limits. He also punishes the wicked justly - they do not escape. Remember, He spared nothing to reward Solomon.

Isaiah 3[10] Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him : for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. [11] Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him : for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

IKings 3[11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

2Chronicles 1[15]The king(Solomon) made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones…

God does not approve the reward of the slothful and idle. It is perhaps more just in his sight to relieve the sick, save infants, the aged and those unable to work and afford basic necessities in the poorer nations than bail out wickedness or dole free handouts to the unemployed to sustain comforts.

2Thessalonians 3[10] For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

In addition, compensation that encourages more debt and lifestyle expenditures is a subtle trap. However, offering in a greater proportion more of deferred compensation in equity/or stake in the medium/long term future will perhaps tend to produce fairer and safer modes.

We can also be careful in seeing compensation in mainly monetary terms. Solomon had it all, but described it all as vanity, leaving behind a questionable legacy. Jesus Christ walked the earth apparently with modest means supported by the giving of others but inherited a glory that is unmatched.

The word of God does not begrudge our earthbound models of fairness as perhaps these are our best instruments. In the parable of the talents Jesus Christ does present the God that rewards the diligent. God is not against reward or riches.

Proverbs 10[4] He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

However, the Bible does warn us in many references that we do not necessarily help people by making them rich. On the contrary, we often hurt them when we give them more that they need.

I Timothy 6[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Indeed it is preferred to position our lives and all that we do to be always blessed - by learning more about and being obedient to God.

Proverbs 10[22]The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Genesis 22[17] That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; [18] And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

More on God’s perspective on wealth can be found in my recently published book Wealth out of Ashes .

For related articles and free subscription to articles by the author please click icon below.

Have a blessed day and may you never lose your reward – Amen.

Bode Ososami

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Sustainability

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Bode Ososami

Isaiah 43 [2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Recently, I was invited to give a talk on Sustainability. Sustainability is about the inspiration and innovation that creates tomorrow’s value and prosperity. In other words, meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In our economies, it is the development and creative mix of, at least, the following four types of capital to produce a sustainable menu.

Financial Capital – cash, investments and monetary instruments
Manufacturing Capital – infrastructure. Machines, tools and factories
Natural Capital – resources, living systems, ecosystems, healthcare
Human Capital – Labour and intelligence.

All these work together. Indeed, deficiencies in or excessive focus on one ingredient ruins the meal. Emphasis on financial capital, for example, without enough intervention in human, manufacturing and natural capital Sustainability is setting up for future crisis though there are temporary present gains.

Whenever I consider a topic of secular interest, I always want to remind myself that there is always the spiritual dimension which drives earthbound models.

On the spiritual front the Prophet Isaiah declares the word of God on sustainability – presenting divine wisdom in perhaps 3 areas.

Survival of trials – The hallmark of sustainability
Foolishness – The enemy of sustainability
Repentance – The assurance of sustainability.

Survival of trials: Trials are inevitable – and so on the issue of trials, Isaiah uses the word “when” and not “if”.

Waters become suddenly deep and drowning threatens but there is a solid ground and Christ leads as seas part. When we get out of our depth, we have Christ to hold on to. We should expect miraculous interventions
Rivers overflow their banks and floods cause others to perish but like Noah, we are in an ark – safe. That ark is Christ. Be convinced of your salvation in Jesus Christ as a false or faked assurance will prove worthless in the floods.
Fires (meaning overwhelming destructive forces) rage and we are still not hurt…like the 3 Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego or Daniel in the Den of Lions, again there is the saving presence of Christ.

Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys endured and we learn from their character and lifestyle the need for;

early piety – youths need sound and solid teachings and wisdom from early age,
devoutness in the closet – we need to prevail in prayer first in private before attempting public exposure,
firm decision of character – we should be determined not to bow to evil, and
diligence in business – we ought to excel in our trade by diligent self application and continuous learning.

Foolishness: Naboth lost his vineyard through the schemes of Jezebel, Ahab and sons of Belial in 1Kings 21:9. But why was Naboth hanging out with sons of Belial? Foolishness is refusing consecration to Christ. It is foolish to be unequally yoked with questionable alliances as this only makes us more vulnerable

Repentance: To have the assurance of a better future, we should consider our ways, learn our lessons and stop repeating our misdeeds. That is why Christ said:

John 5[14] Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Will the next recovery be sustainable? The answer lies perhaps in the quality of our repentance.

For related articles and free subscription to articles by the author please click icon below.

Have a blessed day

Bode Ososami

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Is the Recession over?

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Bode Ososami

This seems to be the question on the lips of many as ears itch for a favourable answer.

I Kings 18[41] And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. [42] So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, [43] And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

The prophet Elijah declares the Recession is over – though no evidence of this is seen and he commands his servant to go and look again seven times.

Elisha, another prophet of God many years later makes a similar declaration in another famine in 2Kings[7:1] Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. [2] Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

How will we know when the Recession is over? We will know when God declares it to be so through His word by His prophets. Will we see signs of improvement and economic indices/indicators getting better suggesting the Recession is about to end? We may not. However, the sure sign will be the word of God declaring it over.

Will economists, brilliant men and highly rated journals herald the end of Recession? In the text above, Elijah’s servant saw nothing until seven times he looked. In the case of Elisha, God used lepers to silence the lords (the economic advisers) of kings.

Again, the simple question “Is the Recession over?” Time magazine reports in Sept 14, 2009 – Turning point for the Global Recession? Perhaps, indeed it is.

We are already beginning to hear God speaking through His prophets. Let the prophets of God, waiting in unknown caves, echo with certainty His word for the moment – and let them mobilise their servants. Let the lepers (true saints) of today’s post-modern age put the lords of Kings to shame again.

But then, rather than seeking to know if Recession has ended, should we not be more concerned about if we have learnt our lessons. Have we changed our paradigms and reconstructed our mindsets? Is our mind renewed by His Spirit? In other words – are we repentant? As this recovery develops, hear the Lord Jesus Christ warning the one made whole about a worse thing coming.

John 5[14] Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

A careful look at the famines described in the book of Kings in the above scriptures reveals that the famine in the time of Elijah was so bad that the widow of Zarephath and her child prepared to die.

1Kings 17[12] And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

But the end of that famine saw only an unrepentant Ahab (like most of us anxious to see recovery) going up to eat and drink as indeed the rains were about to fall again. Years later, a very much worse and fearful situation arose in Samaria. So terrible, that this time women boiled their children.

II Kings 6[29] So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

Is the Recession over? For someone who cares it is time to put his face between his knees to seek the face of the Lord and intercede about the future. “Lord, give us grace to completely overhaul our ways that we do not see even worse times in our future”

Nahum 1[9] What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

Have a blessed day

Bode Ososami

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)