CHASING FANTASIES

CHASING FANTASIES

Scripture: Proverbs 28:19

Topic: Chasing Fantasies

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

                                                                                                                                      Proverbs 28:19 (NIV)

This verse tells us that if a man has a piece of land right before him,and works on it or makes use of it, he will have more than enough food to eat.

But if this man rather chases after what he imagines he can get from somewhere else, then he will be poor forever! For this man, the difference between abundance and poverty will be determined by whether he works on the piece of land he has, or whether he runs after imaginary things. The piece of land here could be his profession, job, or property. He may own a shop or restaurant. He may be a teacher, doctor, or a photographer. Whatever the profession, he must make good use of it. Unfortunately, many people waste their lives chasing fantasies. Fantasies are things that are not real; they are things that are not in your hands. You may have something that is right before you, but instead of working on it, you go chasing after something else. You will definitely have poverty.

Instead of concentrating on going to school, some people rather chase after visas to travel to Europe and America. I know a young man who was brilliant academically. I personally encouraged him to go to school, and even promised to pay his school fees. But he insisted on travelling to America. For the past six years, he has been waiting for his visa. Chasing the fantasy of travelling to America for six years! Imagine that! People are looking for something elsewhere, when there is something right before them. I know someone who became a millionaire just by taking photographs. He started out by taking photographs in my church, and became a millionaire.There are things that are right before our eyes, yet we don’t want them. We prefer something else. When God blesses you with something, use it! I have been in my church in Korle-Gonno, Ghana, all these years. I believe this is what God has given to me. I am not going to go around chasing after ministerial fantasies.

I will continue to till the “ministerial ground” that is before me. And I will be blessed. But if I leave what is in my hands and go chasing after the wind, trying to become famous, I will have poverty enough. When it comes to spiritual things, people behave in the same manner. Some Christians have good churches with good pastors, honest men and women of integrity; but they would rather go round chasing after other things. Whenever they hear that a powerful man of God is working wonders somewhere, they jump on the bandwagon. When they hear of a new church, they flock there. Jesus calls them sign seekers. He says they are evil people.

“..................An evil...generation seeketh after a sign...”

                                                                                                                                                 Matthew 12:39

Sometimes as a pastor, you wonder what such church members are looking for. What counts is faithfulness. A good Christian must be able to faithfully stay or abide in one church where he will receive nourishment.

Paul said:

“……....I thank Christ...that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry....”

                                                                                                                                                   1 Timothy 1:12

There is one thing God will consider before He puts you in the ministry. It is not ability, anointing, or talent it is faithfulness! When you are faithful and stable with what He has put right before you, He will promote you! Beloved are you going to chase fantasies all your life?

Credit: Excerpts From

Frugality

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills