A LIFE WORTHY LIVING (20) – by Chipo Gift Kanyenze
BE GOOD TO OTHER PEOPLE!
‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’ Galatians 6v10 (N.I.V)
We are now in the festive season. It’s a time for bringing joy to other people’s lives. As the Christmas carol goes, ‘Joy to the world Christ has come…,’ we will be copying our heavenly Father who gave His best (Jesus) by giving others our best too. It’s a season of making others smile.
I am not saying it’s the only season you should make others happy but I’m saying we are now in a season of increasing the intensity of doing good to other people and this includes both close people and strangers. You cross your normal goodness boundary and go the proverbial extra mile and get to reach the less privileged.
In Proverbs 3v27, 28 we are urged not to withhold or delay doing any good to the needy when it’s within our reach to help immediately. Delaying does not make your help more valuable to the recipient instead it only causes unnecessary prolonging of the misery of the recipient. I am exhorting you not just to do good but also, to learn to do it promptly. Think about it, would you like it if God would unnecessarily delay answering your prayers? Put yourself in the shoes of the needy, how urgent would you prefer your needs to be met? So do unto the needy in the exact manner you yourself would like God to do unto you. Don’t be deceived by the devil, whenever God seems to be delaying there is a genuine reason for that. If you could see from God’s point of view you would see that God is very wise and timeous.
No one can say he has nothing to give this festive season. You can give someone a smile, you can visit strangers at your nearest health centre or you can visit an orphanage and just talk with the orphans. You can take your time to talk to a street kid and say God loves you and you can take time to listen to the street kid’s story and just pray with him/her. As long as you are living you have something to give.
Some of the blessings we are after are released when we start opening our folded hands. The Bibles says, ‘Give and it shall be given unto you….’Luke 6v 38. Give other people love and you shall be loved in turn not necessarily by whom you have loved. Give other material things and the stuff you desire in your life will also be given unto you. Give others junk and junk will also be given unto you. Give other people what is valuable to you and you will be given valuable things in return as well. The law of reaping and sowing is still at work during this 2009 festive season. The law in a few words can be explained as whatever you sow (do) ,whether its good or bad, God will make you reap (bring back to you after multiplying). The Bible goes to the extent of saying, ‘If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – He will repay you. (Proverbs 19v17).
Giving can be a natural attribute but to many it must be learnt. Take intentional actions or steps to meet other people’s needs. It’s not a pleasant experience at first but as you go on it becomes easier. Common sense says withhold and you will accumulate wealth but the Bible teaches the contrary. In Proverbs 11 v 24 we are told, ‘There is a person who scatters, and yet increases; and there is he who withholds more than is meet; but it tends to poverty.’ As a personal observation I have noted that stingy persons don’t prosper in life. It seems they get too economic even with their minds as well.
We are urged not only to love those who love us but to go beyond as much as our heavenly Father gives sunlight and rains to both the good and the evil. We are not only to love the lovable but even the unlovable and the ungrateful. This will distinguish us from the natural worldly affection. (Matthew 5v 43-48).In Hebrews 13 v 1-3 we are told to show hospitality to strangers and to remember those in prison as if we are there ourselves.
In conclusion I am leaving you a passage in Matthew 25 v 31 - 40 where Jesus told us what the generous will be told on judgement day. It will be ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invited you in, or needing clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visited you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ’Now is the time to do all these things to Jesus so that you will be rewarded on the last day.
Quotable Quote: Do small things with great love –Mother Theresa
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world done by the motivational company Vision Growth International (V.G.I). It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times. To receive the articles directly write to cgkanyenze@gmail.com or visiongrowthinternational@gmail.com with subject ‘Subscribe’. A blog is also available on www.visiongrowthinternational.blogspot.com
©Vision Growth International Publications 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Great Stewardship the Hallmark of Lasting Prosperity
A LIFE WORTHY LIVING (18) – by Chipo Gift Kanyenze
GOOD STEWARDSHIP THE HALLMARK OF LASTING PROSPERITY!
‘…give an account of your stewardship….’ Luke 16 v2
The Bible says in John 8 v 32 ‘And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.’ This article is similar to the article I sent titled, ‘Prosperity Demands Responsibility!’ Let’s deep into some stewardship truths for prosperity to manifest and last in our lives.
Africa is currently the poorest continent by the living standards of its people yet it is the richest in natural resources. Why? According to me it’s due to poor stewardship of the God given resources by the African leaders and citizens. God enriched Africa just like any other continent if not even better than any other continent. For you to have an insight of African wealth and potential let’s take DRC as a case study. With its vast water resources including the Congo River DRC has the potential to produce 150 000 megawatts of power approximately three times Africa’s present consumption. With its rich uranium deposits, diamonds, manganese etc it is said it has the potential of becoming a world super power. Currently where is it? In a recent UN Human Development Index it was rated 167 out of 177 countries. Is it God’s fault that the Congolese are in abject poverty or it’s a human stewardship fault?
Was it good stewardship of political power for Zimbabwean authorities to deny DStv the chance to have its headquarters in Zimbabwe? How much foreign currency have we lost out of this poor stewardship of political authority? Was it good stewardship to give commercial farms to a person just because he is a leader of the war veterans? Was it good stewardship of the mortgage facilities which we once had? Was it good stewardship of resources which was demonstrated at UZ from 1980 upto 1995? Africans let’s learn to be good stewards of whatever we have.
You might be asking, ‘What have I to do with the above obvious poor stewardship shown by African leaders?’ My answer is, ‘I highlighted these cases to expose you to the whole picture of the stewardship issue.’ I strongly believe poor stewardship does not begin in the state house, cabinet or company executive directorship positions. It emerges from grassroots. As long as that bare-footed rural boy is a poor steward of his resources, Zimbabwe is at risk of creating or electing a poor leader. I decided to write to you when you are still emerging otherwise to tell you when you are in national or higher offices, it will be too late to start teaching you about good stewardship of resources and authority. Anyway, you won’t even have the time to listen.
If you are a supervisor, manager, praise and worship leader, deacon or pastor be a good steward of the people you lead. This is where the greatest presidents, archbishops, CEOs come from. If you are faithful over the few things and people under you; greater responsibility will be given you from heaven. Be a good steward of the small family you have. To each person born, there is a stewardship placed under him/her. At the least you are a steward of your body; don’t do things which harm your body like drinking toxic substances like beer, don’t smoke dagga; don’t overeat; you must always take a bath daily, have adequate sleep etc. How can one be rich when their body state is deteriorating? It’s expensive to fall sick - reduce it to the very minimal level as far as you possibly can.
After thinking about what makes people poor I came to realise that chance, opportunities, and good breaks come to everyone (Ecclesiastes 9v11) but, how we go about our stewardship determines the direction our lives take. In Matthew 25 v 14 – 30 Jesus gives a stewardship parable. He said, a master distributed talents to each of his three servants according to their stewardship abilities. To one he gave five, to another two and to an interesting person he gave one. To the ones given five and two they doubled their stewardship. Pay close attention to what is said by one who was given one talent when the master asked for an account of his stewardship. He was very rude. Although his investment skills were very dull he chose to blame his master. This really shows the attributes and attitudes of poor minded people. When they get capital they blame the master that it is too little, the master is cruel. Instead of finding ways to increase it they bury their talents. Instead of using their skills they groan, mourn, murmur and grumble. They never ask, ‘What do I have?’ What a show of ingratitude to God who has given each one of us something valuable into our stewardship.
I attribute 80% of the prevailing poverty to poor stewardship of the resources by the poor person him/herself than anything else external. Some were poor stewards of the schooling opportunities which came their way. Some divorcees were poor stewards of the good fiancées they were once involved with. Some inherited great wealth but they lost it all because of poor stewardship. Some war veterans were poor stewards of the $50 000 gratuity packages they received. Most of the Chiadzwa ‘miners’ (magweja) were poor stewards of the temporal mining rights they were once availed with. Just like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Strive Masiyiwa God gave you five senses, two hands and two legs. Is it God’s fault that you never think of venturing into the unknown because you are risk averse? I know of some maids who were good stewards and their mistresses were willing to send them to night school. Some even had their wedding bills paid for after serving faithfully.
It’s human nature to feel that your current salary is inadequate. With any amount of money you start to feel it’s inadequate. The point is, be a good steward of whatever amount of money you have as your income. The Bible says he who is faithful with the few much will be given to him/her. And to whom much is given much is expected .There is no way you can increase your portfolio’s net worthy when you are a poor steward. Your stewardship ability is directly related to your ability to acquire wealth. A waster cannot have much. A poor steward and his money are soon parted.
Some people are poor not because they never got things in their lives but because they did not practise good stewardship. If you have 3 shirts and 2 trousers you can be smart if you want to. On the contrary, if you are a poor steward you will justify your scruffiness to the fact that you have few clothes. Be a good steward of those two pots, three blankets, DVD player, ceramic dishes, microwave etc. Don’t lose a pen almost everyday; you are now an adult. The issue is not how much the pen is worth, but the prevalence of poor stewardship in that act. In rectifying such small stewardship issues your mind becomes programmed that you don’t tolerate any unnecessary losses hence you are able to have some surplus funds to do worthwhile errands.
A good steward really knows what is under his stewardship. Get to know yourself, what is it that you excel in? Tiger Woods realised that he is a steward of golfing talent and currently he has earned more than a billion dollars just hitting that small ball. Get to know how much you spend and on what? A stock take is a good stewardship tool; therefore, use it in your personal life. It will expose the weak financial security issues in your life and will also highlight your strengths and weaknesses enabling you to take the corrective action and fulfil your desired end. No matter how little you earn, at the end of the year you must be able to show come up with an annual report of yourself just as companies do.
One very precious resource in your stewardship is time. All poor people and I repeat all poor people are poor stewards of time. In Mozambique one of the poorest countries in the world people have a two hour lunch period yet in Japan quality circle meetings are done during their shorter breaks. A person who cannot value time (the greatest resource in every person’s stewardship) cannot accumulate wealth. Tell me how you spend your time and I can approximate your net worthy.
Demonstrate that you are ready to prosper by being a good steward of your time. If you squander your time it means you squander your money or money opportunities as well. It’s wasting other people’s time for you to be late for a meeting or to be late for an appointment whether business or social. If you still have problems of meeting appointments time you still have much to do on personal development. A good steward of time and money starts a telephone conversation with a short salutation and gets straight to the point of the call then everything else later if it’s necessary. Use your spare time to read instead of purposeless home visits during weekends. The cheapest yet most powerful book you can read to prosper is the Bible especially the book of Proverbs. You can’t read and implement the biblical book of Proverbs and remain poor, I assure you. If you learn this, prosperity will be within your reach within a short space of time. May God help you and me in these days of twitter, facebook, e-mail, internet, movies to remain good stewards of our time.
In conclusion, for whatever is within your domain prove to God and people that you are a good steward. By so doing you are certain that you will reach your best in the shortest possible time and at the least cost.
My Quotable Quote: Wealth of great stewards lasts as long as they desire it to last.
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world done by the motivational company Vision Growth International (V.G.I). It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times. To receive the articles directly write to gkanyenze@noczim.co.zw or visiongrowthinternational@gmail.com with subject ‘Subscribe’. A blog is also available on www.visiongrowthinternational.blogspot.com
©Vision Growth International Publications 2009
GOOD STEWARDSHIP THE HALLMARK OF LASTING PROSPERITY!
‘…give an account of your stewardship….’ Luke 16 v2
The Bible says in John 8 v 32 ‘And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.’ This article is similar to the article I sent titled, ‘Prosperity Demands Responsibility!’ Let’s deep into some stewardship truths for prosperity to manifest and last in our lives.
Africa is currently the poorest continent by the living standards of its people yet it is the richest in natural resources. Why? According to me it’s due to poor stewardship of the God given resources by the African leaders and citizens. God enriched Africa just like any other continent if not even better than any other continent. For you to have an insight of African wealth and potential let’s take DRC as a case study. With its vast water resources including the Congo River DRC has the potential to produce 150 000 megawatts of power approximately three times Africa’s present consumption. With its rich uranium deposits, diamonds, manganese etc it is said it has the potential of becoming a world super power. Currently where is it? In a recent UN Human Development Index it was rated 167 out of 177 countries. Is it God’s fault that the Congolese are in abject poverty or it’s a human stewardship fault?
Was it good stewardship of political power for Zimbabwean authorities to deny DStv the chance to have its headquarters in Zimbabwe? How much foreign currency have we lost out of this poor stewardship of political authority? Was it good stewardship to give commercial farms to a person just because he is a leader of the war veterans? Was it good stewardship of the mortgage facilities which we once had? Was it good stewardship of resources which was demonstrated at UZ from 1980 upto 1995? Africans let’s learn to be good stewards of whatever we have.
You might be asking, ‘What have I to do with the above obvious poor stewardship shown by African leaders?’ My answer is, ‘I highlighted these cases to expose you to the whole picture of the stewardship issue.’ I strongly believe poor stewardship does not begin in the state house, cabinet or company executive directorship positions. It emerges from grassroots. As long as that bare-footed rural boy is a poor steward of his resources, Zimbabwe is at risk of creating or electing a poor leader. I decided to write to you when you are still emerging otherwise to tell you when you are in national or higher offices, it will be too late to start teaching you about good stewardship of resources and authority. Anyway, you won’t even have the time to listen.
If you are a supervisor, manager, praise and worship leader, deacon or pastor be a good steward of the people you lead. This is where the greatest presidents, archbishops, CEOs come from. If you are faithful over the few things and people under you; greater responsibility will be given you from heaven. Be a good steward of the small family you have. To each person born, there is a stewardship placed under him/her. At the least you are a steward of your body; don’t do things which harm your body like drinking toxic substances like beer, don’t smoke dagga; don’t overeat; you must always take a bath daily, have adequate sleep etc. How can one be rich when their body state is deteriorating? It’s expensive to fall sick - reduce it to the very minimal level as far as you possibly can.
After thinking about what makes people poor I came to realise that chance, opportunities, and good breaks come to everyone (Ecclesiastes 9v11) but, how we go about our stewardship determines the direction our lives take. In Matthew 25 v 14 – 30 Jesus gives a stewardship parable. He said, a master distributed talents to each of his three servants according to their stewardship abilities. To one he gave five, to another two and to an interesting person he gave one. To the ones given five and two they doubled their stewardship. Pay close attention to what is said by one who was given one talent when the master asked for an account of his stewardship. He was very rude. Although his investment skills were very dull he chose to blame his master. This really shows the attributes and attitudes of poor minded people. When they get capital they blame the master that it is too little, the master is cruel. Instead of finding ways to increase it they bury their talents. Instead of using their skills they groan, mourn, murmur and grumble. They never ask, ‘What do I have?’ What a show of ingratitude to God who has given each one of us something valuable into our stewardship.
I attribute 80% of the prevailing poverty to poor stewardship of the resources by the poor person him/herself than anything else external. Some were poor stewards of the schooling opportunities which came their way. Some divorcees were poor stewards of the good fiancées they were once involved with. Some inherited great wealth but they lost it all because of poor stewardship. Some war veterans were poor stewards of the $50 000 gratuity packages they received. Most of the Chiadzwa ‘miners’ (magweja) were poor stewards of the temporal mining rights they were once availed with. Just like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Strive Masiyiwa God gave you five senses, two hands and two legs. Is it God’s fault that you never think of venturing into the unknown because you are risk averse? I know of some maids who were good stewards and their mistresses were willing to send them to night school. Some even had their wedding bills paid for after serving faithfully.
It’s human nature to feel that your current salary is inadequate. With any amount of money you start to feel it’s inadequate. The point is, be a good steward of whatever amount of money you have as your income. The Bible says he who is faithful with the few much will be given to him/her. And to whom much is given much is expected .There is no way you can increase your portfolio’s net worthy when you are a poor steward. Your stewardship ability is directly related to your ability to acquire wealth. A waster cannot have much. A poor steward and his money are soon parted.
Some people are poor not because they never got things in their lives but because they did not practise good stewardship. If you have 3 shirts and 2 trousers you can be smart if you want to. On the contrary, if you are a poor steward you will justify your scruffiness to the fact that you have few clothes. Be a good steward of those two pots, three blankets, DVD player, ceramic dishes, microwave etc. Don’t lose a pen almost everyday; you are now an adult. The issue is not how much the pen is worth, but the prevalence of poor stewardship in that act. In rectifying such small stewardship issues your mind becomes programmed that you don’t tolerate any unnecessary losses hence you are able to have some surplus funds to do worthwhile errands.
A good steward really knows what is under his stewardship. Get to know yourself, what is it that you excel in? Tiger Woods realised that he is a steward of golfing talent and currently he has earned more than a billion dollars just hitting that small ball. Get to know how much you spend and on what? A stock take is a good stewardship tool; therefore, use it in your personal life. It will expose the weak financial security issues in your life and will also highlight your strengths and weaknesses enabling you to take the corrective action and fulfil your desired end. No matter how little you earn, at the end of the year you must be able to show come up with an annual report of yourself just as companies do.
One very precious resource in your stewardship is time. All poor people and I repeat all poor people are poor stewards of time. In Mozambique one of the poorest countries in the world people have a two hour lunch period yet in Japan quality circle meetings are done during their shorter breaks. A person who cannot value time (the greatest resource in every person’s stewardship) cannot accumulate wealth. Tell me how you spend your time and I can approximate your net worthy.
Demonstrate that you are ready to prosper by being a good steward of your time. If you squander your time it means you squander your money or money opportunities as well. It’s wasting other people’s time for you to be late for a meeting or to be late for an appointment whether business or social. If you still have problems of meeting appointments time you still have much to do on personal development. A good steward of time and money starts a telephone conversation with a short salutation and gets straight to the point of the call then everything else later if it’s necessary. Use your spare time to read instead of purposeless home visits during weekends. The cheapest yet most powerful book you can read to prosper is the Bible especially the book of Proverbs. You can’t read and implement the biblical book of Proverbs and remain poor, I assure you. If you learn this, prosperity will be within your reach within a short space of time. May God help you and me in these days of twitter, facebook, e-mail, internet, movies to remain good stewards of our time.
In conclusion, for whatever is within your domain prove to God and people that you are a good steward. By so doing you are certain that you will reach your best in the shortest possible time and at the least cost.
My Quotable Quote: Wealth of great stewards lasts as long as they desire it to last.
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world done by the motivational company Vision Growth International (V.G.I). It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times. To receive the articles directly write to gkanyenze@noczim.co.zw or visiongrowthinternational@gmail.com with subject ‘Subscribe’. A blog is also available on www.visiongrowthinternational.blogspot.com
©Vision Growth International Publications 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
A LIFEWORTHY LIVING (19) - IT IS WITHIN YOU
A LIFE WORTHY LIVING (19) – by Chipo Gift Kanyenze
GREATNESS IS WITHIN
‘......For the Kingdom of God is within you.’ Luke 17 v 21
Greatness principles can be learnt from nature. Look at seeds. They are very small but from them within them there are innumerable seeds and fruits. Have you ever seen the seed of a gum tree? The seed is one of the tiniest but from it can grow one of the tallest trees. Don’t mistake the size of the gum seed and the gum tree within. So it is with you; from within you there are great heavenly deposits. The location of your greatness is the subject of this article.
It’s within us as Africans to think that our lives are haunted by external factors which include witchcraft, politics, poor family background etc. Many people go to n’angas and ‘mapostori’ just because they believe there is an external force working 24/7 against their prosperity. I don’t doubt the fact that there are external forces which are against other peoples’ success. I know of tokoloshis; demons, zvikwambo to name but a few. Yes these are there but I am saying, the internal force is more powerful than all these external forces. If the internal force is developed all these external forces can be overcame.
Even the worst demon possessed person has the ability in him or her to choose or reject life. Legion was mad but Jesus loosed him because he came to him as mad as he was. (Mark 5 v 6-13).You can’t cast out a demon without the co-operation of the host. Even if you cast it away it will call seven more if the host is unwilling to co-operate. That’s the power within a human being to accept or to reject demons. What is in you is greater than whatever is out there against you. If you think its so much against you so how does Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Strive Masiyiwa amass such great wealth in the midst of such opposing forces? It was easy for Strive to sit back and say, ‘There are so many demons against me so let me quit.’ Instead he said, ‘What is within me is more than the external forces against me,’ and indeed he triumphed. Learn this great prosperity point – prosperity is not out there but it’s within you.
The CEO attributes do not come when a person earns a degree or when he turns 40.No! The attributes and abilities are placed by God when the male seed meets with the female egg and attach to the ovary (starting of pregnancy). This is what God told Jeremiah, ‘I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and ordained you as my prophet to the nations.’ Jeremiah 1v5. This proves that greatness was placed in you by God before the foundation of the world.
Remember that you don’t go to school to get more brain cells but you go there to be taught how to use the brains that you have. Those millions you want in your life are already within you, you are yet to discover how to expose it. From you can emerge the wealthiest woman/man on earth. The current wealthy people have blood just like you. You only need to discover what is in you and you will be also amazed when you finish processing that potential. There are treasures hidden in that earthen vessel, which is your skull.
That best selling album, best selling book, the greatest piece of architecture is within you. You have it in you; don’t look around for it, it’s within you. Even your healing is within you in the form of antibodies. Medicine is only to activate not to create antibodies. This shows God gave you everything that you need for your life. He even gave you appetite so that you would feel hungry so as to eat in order to nourish the body you have. In a pregnant woman a craving for iron based foods even push her to the extent of eating muchenje / mujuru. It’s all in you, placed by God.
The Bible says God works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.(Philippians 2 v13).That craving for good things, comfortable life, desire for a beautiful car is not evil it’s a work of God. It’s not wrong for a prostitute to want money what’s wrong is the means she devises to get it. It also applies to wealth it’s not wrong for a Christian to want to get wealth but what’s evil is when you devise to get it in an irresponsible way. In actual fact it’s a failure to suppress the inner built craving for greatness.
In the eyes of God, Gideon was a man of valour but, the tragedy was that he did not even know that greatness was within him. (Judges 6 v 11 – 14). In verse 14 Gideon is told, ‘Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel…’ To Moses, God did not latter put greatness in him but He asks Moses, ‘What do you have in your hand.’ Exodus 4 v 2. God proved that he needed nothing than just to discover what he had in his hand already. After a while Moses complained that the work of leading Israel was too burdensome. God said look for 70 men and I will take the spirit in you and give them.(Numbers 11v 17).This means Moses within him he had the spirit adequate for the work to be done. The bread which the widow of Zarephath had was adequate for the rest of the drought. Don’t underestimate what is in you. What you have now is just a small fraction of the so much material prosperity that God has deposited in you.
The problem we had and have in Zimbabwe is that we think it’s up to SADC to confront our out of mind political principals. No, it’s in Zimbabwe, not even in America, or the International Criminal Court. No one can pray more for Zimbabweans than the Zimbabweans themselves. No external preacher will sustainably change your church if you as the local congregants don’t involve yourself. Without utilising what is within you as the main ingredient your success equation is not balanced and your poverty issue becomes insurmountable.
In conclusion, the greatest thing you are to discover in your life is that greatness is within you. It’s not somewhere away from you. It’s within you. The businessman, the great husband, the brilliant scholar, the inventor, the mighty person of God is all within you.
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world done by the motivational company Vision Growth International (V.G.I). It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times. To receive the articles directly write to gkanyenze@noczim.co.zw or visiongrowthinternational@gmail.com with subject ‘Subscribe’. A blog is also available on www.visiongrowthinternational.blogspot.com
©Vision Growth International Publications 2009
GREATNESS IS WITHIN
‘......For the Kingdom of God is within you.’ Luke 17 v 21
Greatness principles can be learnt from nature. Look at seeds. They are very small but from them within them there are innumerable seeds and fruits. Have you ever seen the seed of a gum tree? The seed is one of the tiniest but from it can grow one of the tallest trees. Don’t mistake the size of the gum seed and the gum tree within. So it is with you; from within you there are great heavenly deposits. The location of your greatness is the subject of this article.
It’s within us as Africans to think that our lives are haunted by external factors which include witchcraft, politics, poor family background etc. Many people go to n’angas and ‘mapostori’ just because they believe there is an external force working 24/7 against their prosperity. I don’t doubt the fact that there are external forces which are against other peoples’ success. I know of tokoloshis; demons, zvikwambo to name but a few. Yes these are there but I am saying, the internal force is more powerful than all these external forces. If the internal force is developed all these external forces can be overcame.
Even the worst demon possessed person has the ability in him or her to choose or reject life. Legion was mad but Jesus loosed him because he came to him as mad as he was. (Mark 5 v 6-13).You can’t cast out a demon without the co-operation of the host. Even if you cast it away it will call seven more if the host is unwilling to co-operate. That’s the power within a human being to accept or to reject demons. What is in you is greater than whatever is out there against you. If you think its so much against you so how does Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Strive Masiyiwa amass such great wealth in the midst of such opposing forces? It was easy for Strive to sit back and say, ‘There are so many demons against me so let me quit.’ Instead he said, ‘What is within me is more than the external forces against me,’ and indeed he triumphed. Learn this great prosperity point – prosperity is not out there but it’s within you.
The CEO attributes do not come when a person earns a degree or when he turns 40.No! The attributes and abilities are placed by God when the male seed meets with the female egg and attach to the ovary (starting of pregnancy). This is what God told Jeremiah, ‘I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and ordained you as my prophet to the nations.’ Jeremiah 1v5. This proves that greatness was placed in you by God before the foundation of the world.
Remember that you don’t go to school to get more brain cells but you go there to be taught how to use the brains that you have. Those millions you want in your life are already within you, you are yet to discover how to expose it. From you can emerge the wealthiest woman/man on earth. The current wealthy people have blood just like you. You only need to discover what is in you and you will be also amazed when you finish processing that potential. There are treasures hidden in that earthen vessel, which is your skull.
That best selling album, best selling book, the greatest piece of architecture is within you. You have it in you; don’t look around for it, it’s within you. Even your healing is within you in the form of antibodies. Medicine is only to activate not to create antibodies. This shows God gave you everything that you need for your life. He even gave you appetite so that you would feel hungry so as to eat in order to nourish the body you have. In a pregnant woman a craving for iron based foods even push her to the extent of eating muchenje / mujuru. It’s all in you, placed by God.
The Bible says God works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.(Philippians 2 v13).That craving for good things, comfortable life, desire for a beautiful car is not evil it’s a work of God. It’s not wrong for a prostitute to want money what’s wrong is the means she devises to get it. It also applies to wealth it’s not wrong for a Christian to want to get wealth but what’s evil is when you devise to get it in an irresponsible way. In actual fact it’s a failure to suppress the inner built craving for greatness.
In the eyes of God, Gideon was a man of valour but, the tragedy was that he did not even know that greatness was within him. (Judges 6 v 11 – 14). In verse 14 Gideon is told, ‘Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel…’ To Moses, God did not latter put greatness in him but He asks Moses, ‘What do you have in your hand.’ Exodus 4 v 2. God proved that he needed nothing than just to discover what he had in his hand already. After a while Moses complained that the work of leading Israel was too burdensome. God said look for 70 men and I will take the spirit in you and give them.(Numbers 11v 17).This means Moses within him he had the spirit adequate for the work to be done. The bread which the widow of Zarephath had was adequate for the rest of the drought. Don’t underestimate what is in you. What you have now is just a small fraction of the so much material prosperity that God has deposited in you.
The problem we had and have in Zimbabwe is that we think it’s up to SADC to confront our out of mind political principals. No, it’s in Zimbabwe, not even in America, or the International Criminal Court. No one can pray more for Zimbabweans than the Zimbabweans themselves. No external preacher will sustainably change your church if you as the local congregants don’t involve yourself. Without utilising what is within you as the main ingredient your success equation is not balanced and your poverty issue becomes insurmountable.
In conclusion, the greatest thing you are to discover in your life is that greatness is within you. It’s not somewhere away from you. It’s within you. The businessman, the great husband, the brilliant scholar, the inventor, the mighty person of God is all within you.
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world done by the motivational company Vision Growth International (V.G.I). It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times. To receive the articles directly write to gkanyenze@noczim.co.zw or visiongrowthinternational@gmail.com with subject ‘Subscribe’. A blog is also available on www.visiongrowthinternational.blogspot.com
©Vision Growth International Publications 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
A LIFE WORTHY LIVING (18) – by Chipo Gift Kanyenze
PROSPERITY DEMANDS RESPONSIBILITY
... For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required... Luke 12 v 48
Since I started my prosperity series I was only writing on the God part now I’m moving to the most important part; your contribution in order for you to be prosperous materially. I really appreciate that spiritually all can be well but in the physical realm prosperity can fail to manifest. Companies realised that for them to prosper, responsibility of carrying out tasks and making decisions must be clear and personal. It’s not to be implied but it ought to be very clear. It is so with your life as well; it’s your personal responsibility to enrich yourself. This is the conviction which drove me to write this issue of responsibility as my topic.
With every blessing you get in your life, more responsibility is demanded than before you received the blessing. When you are blessed with a car; a fuel bill, insurance cost, garage etc will need to be taken care of unlike a pedestrian. In town there is no shortage of pedestrian runways but there is a parking problem reserved for the privileged alone. Do you know that the day you ask God for a child, that’s the day you are asking for a Cerelac bill , sleepless nights, a huge school and university tuition fees? If you are not careful you end up cursing God for the greatness of the responsibility after being blessed. When you are blessed with a big house that shows greater maintenance costs will be awaiting you. If you ever get promoted, the day you receive the promotion letter is the day you become responsible even for your subordinates’ actions. As a boss you are most likely to be fired not for your misses but for your subordinates’ faults. When an accountant steals a lot of money it’s possible that the Financial Manager or Financial Director will be fired for weak controls. Do you know that as you go up the ladder neither overtime nor acting allowance is paid? Responsibility is an expected attribute.
If you ever want to prosper God’s way, show Him that you can be faithful with the little you have at the moment. He who is faithful with the little much will be given to him. Heaven is the wisest risk taker in its investments. Heaven won’t sponsor where it will get no return. No wonder some generous heathens are more prosperous than some stingy Christians materially. Who do you think will be more prosperous materially; a drunkard who gives his wife $100 he worked for to give for church issues or the wife who asks for the $100 from this drunkard and takes it to church. (Food for thought). As for me if I was this wife I would rather look for some $2 with my sweat than just being my husband’s agent.
If you go mad when you get an extra $100 besides your small salary and you get home Saturday morning just because of that extra cash; You sleep around just because you bought a second hand Mazda 323; You brag over having a double sim card carrying phone which you received from UK, where further can you go with such pride? The wise King Solomon wrote that, ‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16 v 1).God finds it very difficult to prosper some people just because they are poor stewards of the very few things they have now. Loose the hands of God by becoming a responsible person with the small things you have currently.
Deuteronomy 28 v 1-14 clearly states that God’s blessings are only for the responsible. When you are not responsible you can be given a million US$ and squander it in a year. If you think I am lying ask the Chiadzwa gwejas where the cash they earned is now. Do you think Peter Ndhlovu did not earn enough to look after his kids? Do you think think the prodigal son was given too little or he was irresponsible? If a responsible man loses all, he can still regain it all just like the Biblical Job who lost all but ended up with double than what he lost prior to the disasters.
AIDS has been spread by various factors I admit but, I think the main factor is irresponsible human sexual behaviour. Napoleon Hill in his book, Think and Grow Rich put ‘Lack of controlled sexual urge and wrong selection of a mate in marriage,’ among the thirty major causes of failure. I agree, irresponsible utilisation of your sexuality can be catastrophic. In Africa there are certain irresponsible husbands who on earning more will change a wife or get another wife as Evangelist Chiweshe rightfully said. Not forgetting, there are also some homes which went down the drain the moment the wife started earning more than the husband. Such poor mentality repels sustainable accumulation of wealth. More responsibility is demanded for you to be prosperous. I don’t expect any one of my readers to have sad stories to be told about them as what broke out after Michael Jackson’s death. I plead to you by the mercies of God please to be responsible.
I once read an article which was written, ‘I’ve also found that income rarely exceeds personal development. Sometimes income takes a lucky jump, but unless you learn to handle the responsibilities that come with it, it will usually shrink back to the amount you can handle…. If you took all the money in the world and divided it among everybody, it would soon be back in the same pockets it was before.’ I totally agree with this. I think Africa is the richest continent but it has too many irresponsible leaders who can be coerced into making not so wise decisions just to satisfy their insatiable appetite for power and natural resources at the expense of the ordinary citizens.
To sum up all these points in few words I can say that, if you ever want to be prosperous materially, be responsible in your finances, family, work ethics, social dealings and spiritual beliefs. Without a sense of responsibility prosperity is unattainable.
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world, People who believe that they were not born just to occupy space with their bodies but know that they will do something phenomenal before leaving earth. It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times.To receive the articles directly write to gkanyenze@noczim.co.zw with subject ‘Subscribe’.
© Vision Growth International Product 2009
PROSPERITY DEMANDS RESPONSIBILITY
... For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required... Luke 12 v 48
Since I started my prosperity series I was only writing on the God part now I’m moving to the most important part; your contribution in order for you to be prosperous materially. I really appreciate that spiritually all can be well but in the physical realm prosperity can fail to manifest. Companies realised that for them to prosper, responsibility of carrying out tasks and making decisions must be clear and personal. It’s not to be implied but it ought to be very clear. It is so with your life as well; it’s your personal responsibility to enrich yourself. This is the conviction which drove me to write this issue of responsibility as my topic.
With every blessing you get in your life, more responsibility is demanded than before you received the blessing. When you are blessed with a car; a fuel bill, insurance cost, garage etc will need to be taken care of unlike a pedestrian. In town there is no shortage of pedestrian runways but there is a parking problem reserved for the privileged alone. Do you know that the day you ask God for a child, that’s the day you are asking for a Cerelac bill , sleepless nights, a huge school and university tuition fees? If you are not careful you end up cursing God for the greatness of the responsibility after being blessed. When you are blessed with a big house that shows greater maintenance costs will be awaiting you. If you ever get promoted, the day you receive the promotion letter is the day you become responsible even for your subordinates’ actions. As a boss you are most likely to be fired not for your misses but for your subordinates’ faults. When an accountant steals a lot of money it’s possible that the Financial Manager or Financial Director will be fired for weak controls. Do you know that as you go up the ladder neither overtime nor acting allowance is paid? Responsibility is an expected attribute.
If you ever want to prosper God’s way, show Him that you can be faithful with the little you have at the moment. He who is faithful with the little much will be given to him. Heaven is the wisest risk taker in its investments. Heaven won’t sponsor where it will get no return. No wonder some generous heathens are more prosperous than some stingy Christians materially. Who do you think will be more prosperous materially; a drunkard who gives his wife $100 he worked for to give for church issues or the wife who asks for the $100 from this drunkard and takes it to church. (Food for thought). As for me if I was this wife I would rather look for some $2 with my sweat than just being my husband’s agent.
If you go mad when you get an extra $100 besides your small salary and you get home Saturday morning just because of that extra cash; You sleep around just because you bought a second hand Mazda 323; You brag over having a double sim card carrying phone which you received from UK, where further can you go with such pride? The wise King Solomon wrote that, ‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16 v 1).God finds it very difficult to prosper some people just because they are poor stewards of the very few things they have now. Loose the hands of God by becoming a responsible person with the small things you have currently.
Deuteronomy 28 v 1-14 clearly states that God’s blessings are only for the responsible. When you are not responsible you can be given a million US$ and squander it in a year. If you think I am lying ask the Chiadzwa gwejas where the cash they earned is now. Do you think Peter Ndhlovu did not earn enough to look after his kids? Do you think think the prodigal son was given too little or he was irresponsible? If a responsible man loses all, he can still regain it all just like the Biblical Job who lost all but ended up with double than what he lost prior to the disasters.
AIDS has been spread by various factors I admit but, I think the main factor is irresponsible human sexual behaviour. Napoleon Hill in his book, Think and Grow Rich put ‘Lack of controlled sexual urge and wrong selection of a mate in marriage,’ among the thirty major causes of failure. I agree, irresponsible utilisation of your sexuality can be catastrophic. In Africa there are certain irresponsible husbands who on earning more will change a wife or get another wife as Evangelist Chiweshe rightfully said. Not forgetting, there are also some homes which went down the drain the moment the wife started earning more than the husband. Such poor mentality repels sustainable accumulation of wealth. More responsibility is demanded for you to be prosperous. I don’t expect any one of my readers to have sad stories to be told about them as what broke out after Michael Jackson’s death. I plead to you by the mercies of God please to be responsible.
I once read an article which was written, ‘I’ve also found that income rarely exceeds personal development. Sometimes income takes a lucky jump, but unless you learn to handle the responsibilities that come with it, it will usually shrink back to the amount you can handle…. If you took all the money in the world and divided it among everybody, it would soon be back in the same pockets it was before.’ I totally agree with this. I think Africa is the richest continent but it has too many irresponsible leaders who can be coerced into making not so wise decisions just to satisfy their insatiable appetite for power and natural resources at the expense of the ordinary citizens.
To sum up all these points in few words I can say that, if you ever want to be prosperous materially, be responsible in your finances, family, work ethics, social dealings and spiritual beliefs. Without a sense of responsibility prosperity is unattainable.
‘A Life Worthy Living’ series are Bible based articles freely circulated to people who aspire to be significant people in this world, People who believe that they were not born just to occupy space with their bodies but know that they will do something phenomenal before leaving earth. It addresses all issues that affect the vision of each human being. The writer has been specifically called by God to mentor others in these changing times.To receive the articles directly write to gkanyenze@noczim.co.zw with subject ‘Subscribe’.
© Vision Growth International Product 2009
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