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Dr Nick Ohizu The Voice of God

LAST week’s column revealed the challenges we face in the hands of people who operate as “Big Brothers” of the kingdom of God.  They believe that they are the custodians of God’s judgement.

The appalling thing is that in the process of executing judgement on the prodigals, they find themselves outside of the celebrations and the blessings God.

However, the kingdom of God is big enough. Everyone is welcome and God will never run out of blessings. Whether Prodigals or “Big Brothers”. The path to restoration is still open. God is waiting for us.

To the “Big Brothers”, who find themselves outside because the father is celebrating the return of the prodigals, please take note that it is possible to be blessed and join in the celebrations. We can achieve that by implementing the following principles found in this scripture text.

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So, he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. So, he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I may make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him. “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’[Luke 15:25-32 NKJV]

There are three important principles that we can apply to fix the hearts of the “Big Brothers” and help to restore them to a place of enjoying the blessings of God reserved for all His children.

Take time out from the field: The first reason the “Big Brother” missed out on the celebrations was because he was not at home. The kingdom is filled with field workers who believe that there is always something to do for God that they forget to enjoy their lives. We must understand that Christianity is not living in bondage and people who are serving God are still humans. Do not spend your days in the kingdom field and get angry at those who take time to enjoy the blessings. It is allowed to take time off, it is allowed to go for holidays, it is okay to take your family out, it is not a sin to dance and celebrate. It is God who has given us all these things to enjoy [1Timothy 6:17]. While it is required of us to give the kingdom service our utmost commitment, it should not be done at the expense of our health and welfare of our families.

Deal with the root the anger: The “Big Brother” did not enter and join the party because he was angry. When the father came out to confront him, he revealed the root of his anger. The anger was not rooted against the celebration but against the father and his decision to accept and bless the prodigal son. He was angry that God still had resources for a wasteful son.

He was angry because he forgot that the prodigal was still his brother irrespective of how bad he was. This is something we need to deal with. God loves sinners but hates sin. Repentance is triggered by love not hate. Most haters in the kingdom are not hating because of the blessing. They are hating because God still chose to bless some people irrespective of their pasts knowing how bad they used to be. The conclusion of the matter is that God is not man. We have no control over his choices and decision to bless or curse.

Our origin may be the same but our destinies are different. We must accept that some people will come to Christ and get suddenly blessed while others can serve God for years before they get their breakthrough. Our rewards differ by calling and destiny. Therefore, our maturity is proven by our ability to understand and accept that.

They never asked:  The challenge is that man is waiting for God to give while He waiting for man to ask. The “Big Brother” was angry that his father never gave him but the father explained that all he had was his.

The difference between the prodigal and his “Big Brother” was that the prodigal asked for his portion of his inheritance, but the Big Brother” never had time to ask so he did not receive.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” [Mathew 7:7-8. NKJV]. We should never develop a bad attitude towards people who ask God for prosperity, marriage, deliverance, healing, prophecy and increase. The door is open for all. God gives all these things for our enjoyment [1Timothy 6:17]. God blesses us to enjoy because God is good, all the time.

Dr Nick Ohizu is the senior pastor of the Empowerment Ministries and the president of the Empowerment School of Wealth both located in Graniteside Harare. He is a successful entrepreneur with vast experience in leadership, mentorship, business and marriage consultancy with a mandate from God to change lives and bless people. He can be contacted on 0772304917.