Bless yourselves by benefitting one another,
Faith in God is for your own benefit,
Mess yourself by harming one another,
Lack of faith in God leads to results that are a misfit.
The distance you travel is determined by the steps you take ahead,
Faith in God is for your own benefit,
If you don’t want to go far, don’t take steps and stay in bed,
Lack of faith in God leads to results that are a misfit.
Your altitude is determined by how far you choose to go up,
Faith in God is for your own benefit,
If you don’t want to fly high, then stop everything and give up,
Lack of faith in God leads to results that are a misfit.
You are closer to getting there than you think,
Faith in God is for your own benefit,
Stay focused on your journey, make sure you don’t blink,
Lack of faith in God leads to results that are a misfit.
When you do something righteous is for your benefit. On the other hand, doing something evil is for your destruction.
Hebrews 11:7 (KJV) – “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
God had instructed Noah to build an ark that was large enough to fit everyone in the world at that time since God is willing to save everybody. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that anyone should perish. However, people ridiculed Noah and laughed at him while he was undertaking that assignment and preaching to them. Noah did not care, he decided to move with faith, and as a result, he was able to save himself and his house from the flood.
In Hebrews 11:7, let’s look at the phrase ‘to the saving of his house.’ The ark did not save anyone else. It only saved Noah and his family. Noah would have perished with his family if he had disobeyed God and failed to build the ark. The people who mocked Noah thought they were harming Noah, but they were hurting themselves.
This divine example shows us how evil actions are for our destruction and righteous actions are for our benefit.
When God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17), He was seeking to benefit them. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3), they brought curses upon themselves, not to God. God’s infinite love is what made Him angry with them. God is so loving that He wants you to benefit more than you want. When we get ourselves in trouble through our sinful actions, God feels pain more than we feel it. That is why God always does His best to bring us close to Him because He wants us to benefit.
God had warned Adam and Eve that they would die if they eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve received various curses (Genesis 3:14-19). Had they obeyed God, they will be enjoying blessings such as immortality, and perfect health, among others.
Exodus 20:2 says, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Before God gave the Decalogue to the Israelites, He reminded them of their days of slavery in Egypt and that He was the one who took them out.
He told them this in Exodus 20:2 to imply that if they did not want to return to slavery, they should keep the Ten Commandments. The commandments are not grievous. They are not meant for bondage. They are meant for liberation. In other words, they are meant for your benefit. Those people who are incarcerated and are guilty of charge got themselves in prison because of breaking at least one of God’s commandments.
If we understand that every good thing we do is for our benefit, we will always obey God. Some people think going to church, praying, reading the Bible, or singing songs of praise will benefit God. Some, when they do service to God that they consider a lot, think that they have done too much for God that they ought not to do. This thought is erroneous because you can never do too much for God. What you have done for God compared to what God has done for you is like a single grain of salt in the Pacific Ocean. It is insignificant. What we do for God does not benefit God. It helps us as individuals.
When you preach the gospel in your neighborhood and the Spirit of God through the word you have preached convicts criminals, you have benefited yourself because you have created a more peaceful environment to live in.
When you pray for your broke friends and relatives to gain financial stability, you have benefited yourself because you will no longer feel disturbed by them borrowing and depending on you.
When you visit the sick, and through your fellowship with them, they receive healing, you have benefited yourself because you will live in a healthier environment.
As a politician, you may not need bodyguards if you have truly helped your community since there will be no thieves to steal from or harm you. This may look impossible, but there are countries where the crime rate is almost zero, like Switzerland. Some countries have little or no corruption, economies thrive, and everybody benefits.
Proverbs 14:34 (KJV) – “Righteousness exalteth a nation.” During Solomon’s reign, silver and gold (highly precious and rare metals) were plenty in Jerusalem, like common stones (1 Kings 10:27). He made the Cedar trees to be as common as Sycamore trees in the foothills (2 Chronicles 1:15).
“It is as we give ourselves to God for the service of humanity that He gives Himself to us. No one can give place in his own heart and life for the stream of God’s blessings to flow to others without receiving in himself a rich reward.” —Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pages 81 – 82, Ellen G. White.
In Genesis 13, Abraham and Lot decided to separate after seeing the land they were living in could not contain their possessions. Abraham gave Lot the ability to choose first. Abraham was older than Lot, and he was his uncle. Secondly, in the land they were living in, Lot was under the care of Abraham because it was God who had called Abraham to get out of his country to go to a land that The Lord would show him (Genesis 12:1-3).
Lot was accompanying Abraham (Genesis 13:1). Therefore, Abraham had every right to choose first. However, since he was righteous, he allowed Lot to choose first. This act was righteous, loving other people more than you love yourself. Lot chose the best place well-watered for himself (Genesis 13:10-11), leaving the dry and ugly areas for Abraham.
In the eyes of human beings, Abraham had lost and Lot had won. In God’s eyes, Abraham had won. Genesis 13:14-15 (NKJV) – “14 And the LORD said to Abram after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give it to you and your descendants forever.” God gave Abraham the whole land, including what was Lot’s, for that one simple righteous action.
A couple of years back, I attended a networking meeting, and someone talked about social media marketing when we were having a discussion. I remembered a friend who does digital marketing, and I recommended him while in the meeting room. I talked so well about him, giving the people in that meeting the impression that he was the best they could ever hire.
The one leading the discussion didn’t give much attention to that but at the end of the meeting, a certain lady came and asked me to introduce him to that guy because she needed someone to do digital marketing for her. I took the guy to her office, and he was given a contract as a freelancer. The lady then asked me what I do. At that time, I wasn’t doing anything; I was looking for any opportunity to jump on. I told the lady I do website development and mobile application development. She gave me two web and app development contracts and sent me a deposit (half the total amount) immediately.
I did not know how to develop an app or a website, but I learned on the job and delivered. Within the same time frame, she gave me a contract to design a presentation, and I was able to learn graphic design on the job. I was paid with no experience at all. I had no portfolio. I had no money to market myself. That is how I got into the Technology business. She has given me business till now and recommends people to me. That one simple good action of recommending a friend paid me more than it paid him.
It is God who uplifts and who gives breakthroughs, not necessarily your experience and skills. Your skills are important to maintain what God has given you. However, you can have the best skills, but if God is not in it, it is all in vain.
Therefore, we should seek to give ourselves to God for the service of humanity at all times. This sacrifice will result in our good in the end.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (KJV) – “1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”
The first hike I went to was to Mount Longonot in Kenya. As I was going up the mountain, I would get tired sometimes, and when I got tired, I would rest. After resting, I would get more energy to continue with the hiking. That experience clarified how keeping the Sabbath was for my own benefit. When you work six days and rest on the seventh, you receive fresh energy to push for another six days. Therefore, you become more productive than those who have worked seven days a week.
Righteousness pays, it pays other people, it pays you.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Prayer
Dear God, please help me to think, speak, and act in righteousness at all times because it is for my benefit. In Jesus name, Amen.
Activity
- Reflect on the Essay:
- Take some time to reflect on the essay you’ve read. Consider the examples and biblical references that illustrate the principle that righteousness benefits the doer and the recipient. Internalize the idea that your actions have a direct impact on your life.
- Identify Areas of Impact:
- Identify areas in your life where you can make a positive impact on others and, in turn, experience personal benefits. This could include your family, friends, community, or workplace.
- Set Weekly Goals:
- Set a goal to perform at least one act of kindness or righteousness each week for the next month. These acts can vary from helping a neighbor, volunteering your time, or simply offering a kind word of encouragement to someone in need.
- Keep a Journal:
- Maintain a journal to record your experiences. Write down the acts of kindness you perform, the people you help, and any positive outcomes you observe. Reflect on how these actions made you feel and the ripple effects they may have had.
- Share Your Experiences:
- Share your experiences and reflections with a close friend or family member. Discuss the positive impact these acts of kindness have had on your life. Encourage them to join you in this challenge.
- Continue the Practice:
- After completing the one-month challenge, continue incorporating acts of kindness and righteousness into your daily life. Make it a habit to seek opportunities to benefit others, knowing that these actions also enrich your own life.
Author: Mark Alex
Email: gettruthgetlife@gmail.com
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