READ: LUKE 12:16-21

16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18. And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

MESSAGE:

Success is a good thing, but it can be dangerous when not well handled.

In Luke 12:16-21, a farmer got a mighty harvest and he handled it in a way that was insulting to the Source of the harvest, so God called him home.

Passing your exams is very good, but boasting about how brilliant and hardworking you are is very dangerous.

Winning a gold medal in that race is very good, but telling everyone how fast you are can get you into trouble. The glory must always go to God.

In fact, keep making noise about how God helped you and use it to draw more people to Him. When He sees you do that, He will bring more success your way.

When I was a coach in a secondary school, we went for a competition with another school and I was boasting to the coach of the other school about one of my female runners.

The race started and my girl was winning, but all of a sudden she fell and before who could get up, the first, second and third place positions had been taken.

Romans 9:16 says:
_”So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”_

KEY POINT:
If you want to be great, you must flee every appearance of pride

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 8-10 ; Mark 5:1-20

Hymn 2

1. Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind:

Chorus:
For His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

2. God, with all-commanding might,
Filled the new-made world with light:

3. All things living He doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need:

4. Let us then with gladsome mind
Praise the Lord, for He is kind:

AUTHORS: Pastor E.A. Adeboye
Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye