My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in the previous parts in the last two days we have meditating about how to completely submit ourselves to God, how to give offering to God, giving offerings and in what manner we should give offerings. We also saw that God has selected the Apostolic ministry and when our God does the Apostolic ministry through Christ. We also meditated about how all the believers gave everything they had at the feet of the Apostles and everyone shared everything without any lack.

But it is difficult to find this ministry which God likes in any country. Since everyone’s desire is in worldly things, we believe that this ministry which God desires has not yet been done.

Isaiah 57: 17 - For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.

Isaiah 57:18 - I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him,

And restore comforts to him and to his mourners.

Colossians 1: 16 – 18 says - For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

What we understand from this is that – worldly riches, things, collecting and gathering treasures are things which do not please God. Everything belongs to God.  God has given everything us in this world for us to do God’s work and then he is testing us. But we do not do His will and we are living in the pleasures of this life.

That is why in Haggai 1: 3, 4 - Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”

Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Haggai 1: 6 - “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

Haggai 1: 9 – 11 You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.

Therefore, the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.

For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what we understand is that because we did not give God what belongs to Him, because we collected everything that belonged to God and want to live in pleasure and comfort, collecting for generations and generations, in the church servants of God, believers are doing things which God does not like, because they consider God’s work as a means of income for themselves, because the gift of grace that God gave freely is being sold by many servants of God, cheating and deceiving the people, without giving God’s truth leading people towards hell and shepherding themselves so God is angry and is bringing famine in the churches and in our houses.

It is written in the Bible about a man named Ananias. Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession and he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5: 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

Peter told Ananias You have not lied to men but to God. Acts 5:5 - Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Acts 5: 9 - Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.

Acts 5: 11- So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things

Acts 5: 14 - And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

In this manner, in those days’ believers submitted themselves and everything they had completely to God. Many people accepted Jesus and glorified God.  In this manner if each one of us analyze ourselves and obey God, God will deliver the countries from His anger and will definitely give peace and joy. Let all of us analyze our mistakes and search ourselves. Let us think about how we are living, let us pray, obey and receive God’s blessings.

May the Lord bless you all.

-        To be continued