Life Capsule for Today 26th July, 2024
Theme: Character and Destiny (6)
Topic: The Evil of Seeking Vain Glory
Memory Verse for the week: 1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Today’s Reading: Acts 5.7-10
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
Words of the Ministry
Today we would be considering the third negative example of how a wrong character could thwart one’s destiny, The story is in Acts 5, about a couple in the early Church. They, like others voluntarily chose to sell their property and bring the proceed to the Church to meet the need of the saints. That act of sacrifice was not commanded by God or by compulsion and neither was there a command that they were to bring all the proceed to the Church. Although some gave a 100% of the proceed, a couple called Annanias and Saphira decided to keep a portion and tell a lie to Peter and the Church that they brought all the proceed just to gain vain glory before men that they have been sacrificial and had given all they had. Unfortunately, that was the end of their earthly living as the lie they told grieved the Holy Spirit and they both died in the Church.
The story of this couple is a typical example of what many believers do today. Ananias and Saphira if they had had a pure motive and had been sincere may have been a reference to how a family should corporately agree to the service of God and the Church, unfortunately they are referred to today as an example of liars, they are the first couple in the New Testament to lie and die under God’s judgment in the early Church. The quest for vain glory has led many to their grave early in life, some have created a wrong impression that they are comfortable and don’t need help and as a result don’t get the necessary help. Many saints love to show off, they don’t mind spending all their saving in a public function or buying an expensive item because they want people to have a certain impression that they are indeed comfortable. Some would even borrow cars, clothes and money to show off at a party or to show off at Sunday service.
Saints to live for vain glory is to live a lie. It is to place the opinion of men above your integrity before God. How do we explain a father that has not fed his family, heavily in debt yet is spending money in the public, making huge promises all because he wants to trend on social media. The bible warns against seeking vain glory in Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Check within yourself, has vain glory being the reason for your many disappointments and delays. Have you created an impression that makes those that would naturally help assume you are okay. Have you spoken big exhibiting pride and telling lies making those around believe you are stingy because you gave the impression you have while you don’t. Please correct these matters prayerfully. May the Lord grant us light. Join us on Sunday the 28th of July for PENIEL with the Theme: Goshen.
Bible in one year: Proverbs 23-26
For further fellowship send us an email on godmanvideos@gmail.com or visit our youtube channel: @godmanmedia. You can also interact with us by dropping your comments on our facebook page. Our physical meeting, Word feast comes up every Wednesday by 5pm and Prayer Gym every Saturday by 7am while PENIEL comes up once a month, every last Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6.30pm at Suite A10, Ahser Office Complex, beside Living Faith Church, Opposite Hassan Stores, Arab Road, Kubwa Abuja.