Dear friends,

When I woke up about 3 mornings ago, I really didn’t feel like reading my bible. After realising I was late, and counting how many things I had to do before heading out, bible reading was not gonna fit in the mix – may God help me. On days like that, I usually just remind myself of verses that I learnt before and meditate on them – similar to the process rumination that cows do. But a voice of persistence kept reminding me of a phrase I picked up somewhere – I can’t really remember where. But it says “One Word from God can change your life forever”. So I told God, “let whatever I open in the bible today speak to me”. And it did! So I am gonna share these verses with you…

Number one: Deutoronomy 24:19 reads as follows… “When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back and get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do”

In practical terms this means, (a) I should not be too eager to collect change when I buy things for people on the street (b) I can randomly (on purpose) leave money, food, clothes or any other required items on the street where I know someone who needs it can pick it up. Now, I know some of you may be thinking that whoever picks it up is a thief! And you have no business giving things to thieves. But who are you to judge? Consider the passage above. God was asking them at the time to leave whatever they forgot for orphans, widows etc. This implies that the harvester’s original intention may have been to take it home. So, whoever may have taken what they forgot could be construed as a thief! But God asks us to forget it there for them. I believe that is one of God’s ways of meeting His promise to provide for the widows, orphans and foreigners. Remember we are God’s representative here on earth. Please do your part where you can. So whenever you forget a “goodie” that you can do without, devote that “offering” to God by saying to small prayer like “God, please accept that as my giving to those in need who you intend to give to. May only those you want to give see it and pick it up, or use it etc. Amen”. You can modify as desired…

Number 2: Deuteronomy 26:1-3 “…with this gift I acknowledge that the Lord your God has brought me into the land he swore to give our ancestors”

Deuteronomy 26:11 “Afterwards, go and celebrate because of all the good things the Lord your God has given you and your household…”

Try reading it in the bible yourself. But for me, this means that when God does something wonderful for you, there are two things you should consider doing (a) Give Him a special offering or gift. It doesn’t have to be monetary. You may choose to write Him a special poem or give up a certain undesired habit or offer to help a stranger out in a phenomenal way. Do something that you can clearly illustrate to God that I did this good thing because you did thing “X” for me. (b) where you have the capacity, throw a bash / party, small celebration in the name of God. I know almost all of us have random braais/barbecues every now and then with nothing to really celebrate. I think its about time we also start throwing braais in the name of our God. Let us gather people together and share with them what the Lord has done for us. That’s another form of evangelism – by just sharing your testimony with your friends, acquaintances and family. No preaching required. In so doing, you glorify God even more with such suttle acts of worship…

Number 3: Deutoronomy 26:12-15 “Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. You must give these to the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows so that they will have enough to eat in your towns…”

I particularly like this one… We are encouraged to once in a while do something special – give to the people the “poor” in our surrounding a “special tithe” of God. I was particularly excited about this one. I immediately thought – I can choose to have a “free food” day at one of the poor neighbourhoods around me! – pardon me but I love cooking and sharing my cooking with others. That can be my special tithe! But that’s just me. Whatever you can do, in whatever way you give, give something that will bring you joy and give God glory…

In summary, I hope you understand that these are not a set of rules, but its a guide to different ways that we can be the hands, voices and feet of God and love on Him (for who He is, who He has been and who He will be)… You should not do it out of obligation but if you’re inspired please take it up. There are many blessings and rewards as you will see in the scriptures if you read the quoted verses yourself – I just took extracts of the full account.

Have a super weekend.
Love y’all.

Ufuoma Akpoduado