30 DECEMBER

 GOING…GOING…!

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 

(1 Timothy 6:6-8)

I was at my village Church Harvest and Bazaar some time ago. As the items were lifted up by the auctioneer, a voice would shout N10,000! Another N15,000! “Going…! Going…!,” the auctioneer would say… “N25,000!”  And so it went on in the known patterns.

As soon as the bell went off, the last and highest bidder paid and collected the items to take home. I watched, amazed, as one of our “sons” bid intently for many items but gave all away, giving the much needed resources to the church and the goods to those who needed them more.

Many may have a form of godliness but how many demonstrate its power in their lives?

Today, as the year’s bell is set to go off, I bid for things I desire to take into the New Year: Life, more commitment to God, family and friends, joy, peace, protection, and good health  – things that only God can give. I wonder why I didn’t even think of material things. The things that money can buy are temporary but the things only God can give are eternal!

Michael Huffington said, ”When we die, our money, fame, and honours will be meaningless. We own nothing in this world. Everything we think we own is in reality only being loaned to us until we die. And on our deathbed at the moment of death, no one but God can save our souls.”

ACTION: Reflect on the unutilised opportunities to show love or render assistance to a neighbour in the outgoing year. Can you make necessary amends? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, give me grace to serve you and be more thoughtful of others in the new year.