TABLE OF CONTENT

Preface
A compact with God

Chapter 1: Knowing and Understanding what true riches are

Chapter 2: The Purpose of True riches

Chapter 3: The Timing and location of True Riches

Chapter 4: Components of true riches

Chapter 5: Principles of true riches (The how of true riches).

Acknowledgements

A Compact with God

" For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
 Matthew 6:21.

Everything a man becomes in life is what he is himself. If your siblings,

children or next of kins are not intelligent, all that your intelligence has put
together in this world will spoil and become a waste in a few years to come.

It is worthy to note that no one can live his or her life for the next
generation. No one!

Once a man is dead and perhaps isn't brought back to life through the
supernatural power of God just like that of brother Lazarus, gone is the
man.

Have you ever sat to reason that one day this journey is going to come to
an end? Once a man is gone, gone he has!

Where a man's treasure is

Let me ask you; "How many people are not occupying themselves with
things other than the ones they should occupy themselves with?" A few!

In Luke 19:13, the master did what he should do by first calling his
servants, handing over to them that which would keep them busy while he
is away and then finally he said unto them "Occupy till I come.".

You must note that it is authoritative "Occupy till I come".

It is not all about what is handed over to them but how well they are able to
utilise that which has been trusted into their hands. And when we read
further, we would see how only one out of the three servants fail to take
responsibility of working out to maximize that which was given unto him
and how the work of his hands was used as judgement against him.

The command of "Occupy till I come" is to bring us, you and me into the
understanding that God never created us to become passive and empty.
Within you are great riches in the form of talents, potentials and gifts lurk
up.

This tells us that everyone born of man or woman must not be found
indolent here on earth. He or she must be busy with something that will
make him or her relevant.

Before your conception, the master has given to you something inherent. It
is within you and it is real. The reality however doesn't come to a man who
is not intentional enough about what it entails.

You are to occupy yourself with something. It is very necessary to occupy

myself with something. Naturally, every man is found engaging himself with
one thing or the other. Either good or bad.

However, the problem is not that a man is occupying himself with

something. Where the problem lies comes with "What" the man is
occupying himself with.

The question I ask you now is; what have you been occupying yourself
with?

A humble, Sincere and correct answer to the above would result in a

glorious revival in your life including that of those around you.

Whatever you are occupying yourself with is that which we refer to as your
treasure and where your treasure is just according to Matthew 6:19-21
there your heart would be also. Wherever my riches are, there also my
heart would be.

Solomon chooses the welfare of his people over other things which an
ordinary man could have taken as priority. Just because he sees the
welfare of his people as a treasure that was where his heart was connected
to while making the request.
Nehemiah was a captive in a foreign land. As the King cupbearer, he had
every reason to choose to remain in the palace for its splendor, yet his
knees were easily bent to pray for the security of his nation.

"And said unto the king, Let the king live forever: why should not my
countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres,
lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed
to the God of heaven.

And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found
favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of
my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it." Nehemiah 2:3-5 (KJV)

He was at the palace, yet his heart was constantly drawn to the welfare of
his people. He wasn't at peace though he had every opportunity to remain
unmoved by whatever his people were facing. Yet, the souls of men
become his priority and he desires to see the broken walls of Jerusalem re-
erected.

He did not have to trace back the cause of that which led to the destruction
of the walls. He wasn't concerned with who is at fault or who is not at fault
and this led him to plead for God's mercy upon them as a nation without
excluding himself.

Apostle Paul counted all things garbage and mere dung. To him, knowing
Christ was an inestimable, Priceless and wealth untold. He doesn't know
Christ based on head knowledge. A continual work with him made him
count all that has been lost including his popularity as a die-hard
persecutor, his earthly possession and other ephemeral things has dung.

In my walk with God, I have come to realise the true definition of wealth.
His purpose for us regarding material prosperity and how well we can
balance that with the kind of treasure Jesus himself instructed us to store
up somewhere, a place so secure that rust and moth can't have access to
and even if they have access to, there is a form of fortification against
them.

This is a burden and yearning that is sought to be expressed in this book.

There have been countless books written on riches, wealth, goods or
treasure and whatever we have chosen as a term for it. The yearning
continues and there would still be more coming to exist after this one in
your hands.

Our present concern is to share with you certain principles and standards
related biblically to that which men called riches. It is to share with you the
dynamics of entering into God's kind of riches by applying God's kind of
approach.

As the desire to get rich overnight keeps increasing by a single tick of the
clock, it is high time many are enlightened most especially in the body what
should be their approach when it comes to seeking for wealth while on
earth.

Even the young ones aren't exempted as one would be surprised at the
level of how great they are being exposed to the spending of money.

Rich or not all are craving to get that which would probably grant them a
say if not in the society but in family.

Many see themselves as useless or others see them as one once their
Lives is void of riches; earthly riches. Who is even concerned with the kinds
of riches pointed out by Jesus in Matthew chapter 6? As far as many are
concerned, true riches to them is when they see a man dressed elegantly,
a car parked outside, escorts all over and money loaded in pockets and
bank accounts.

What about inner peace? What about the fulfilment? No one seems to care.

Many have been spending money on so many things that don't satisfy and
which would never bring them fulfilment. So, here comes the time they
break forth. The money can be strength, potential, talent, skills and abilities.
They have practically wandered away in search of greener pastures just as
the prodigal son not knowing that no greener pasture can be greener than
that which is in their biological father's house.

All still traced back to your source, my source and our source.

A genuine experience with him as a father is beyond the atmospheric

feeling of his presence. If he is going to reveal to you his kind of
approach to attaining things, wealth, riches here on earth and even
help you out with things that can help you strike the balance, then
there must be a place of submission. A place of submission to God is
a place of compacting with him. It is beyond going to church services
where the end of the meeting does nothing but dissipates the
experience.

This is an experience that develops and increases your expertise on so

many things in life. It goes and progresses with you. Your understanding of
certain things including what we called "Riches" is not out of his plan and
template for your life.

Many people have walked in this kind of experience before and despite the
wiles of the world, they thrived.

If you have been deceived to believe that poverty is something worthy of

embracing, then this book would change your perspective but would not
leave you confused.

If you have come to believe that money can solve all things. Then this book
would change your perspective because there is a greater kind of riches
which many have been blindsided to. Earthly riches would fail and pass
away but this kind would not perish nor would it fade.

If you have come to believe that you can't be rich both physical and
spiritually. Then, you would come to understand in this book why it is
necessary most especially in this century.
Understanding true riches begins with knowing what true riches are. it
progresses into exploring it as we make application of it where necessary.

True riches are spiritual blessings that give us the advantage to reign in life.

These blessings can make you a magnet of money and lay up gold as dust.

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth,
who will entrust the true wealth to you?

— Luke 16:11 (New American Standard Bible)

Chapter 1
Knowledge and The Understanding Of True riches

Whenever it comes to the definition of riches, there is always a kind of

difficulty ascertaining a precise, general and acceptable definition of most
people attached to the word. The man who has enough gold for all his
wants is rich. A man as long as he is able to command things with money is
counted as a man of influence and affluence.
Money we know is but a means to an end, that end being the convenient
attainment of things requisite for comfortable existence.

Many don't know and fail to acknowledge that the soul has wants as well as
the body, and the means by which necessities of the soul are to be
supplied is never and would never be by means of that earthly definition of
what is called "riches". The only way the soul is going to thrive and flourish
alongside the body is only when a man is submissive enough to
acknowledge and apply that which is called "true riches". For no man can
apply that which he refuses to acknowledge. Your point of
acknowledgement is the point of giving your approval or support. You
agree that it is worth your time, energy and even resources. Thereafter, you
come to the stage where you need to apply that which you have approved.
That is what life entails. What I don't approve of can't find access into my
life. That is how it is set down and it requires a great level of understanding
to be able to apply the best of it kind because not all the things you
acknowledge are healthy for application.

What then is true riches?

To many, true riches include their certificates, office, salary, fame, societal
status and many other earthly possessions.

Many don't even know that those things would exist but for a while and
would never go with them whenever death appointment calls. Even as you
read this book, the aim is that you are brought into a better understanding
of the kind of riches which God needs you to put as first in your priority list.

If I ask: "Do you want to be poor?" Of course the answer would be a loud
"NO".

No one wants to be poor but isn't this beyond the extent to which we can
fend for the body? It is beyond this. Knowing and understanding of true
riches is beyond being financially okay. A man can be financially good but
is spiritually sinking and wretched. I believed that would never be your
portion. Also, a man can be spiritually okay but is poor financially or in other
words financially sick. Perhaps, such a man has been brainwashed to
believe that being rich spiritually is all that God desires for us. That is a lie
from the pit of hell! Beloved, nothing is bad when you balance all the areas
of your life. They all work together to help you become relevant in life.
However, the understanding of that which should be set as number one on
your priority list is better and would help accomplish much.

Which should be set first on the priority list? Matthew 6:33 gave the answer
"The Kingdom of God and its righteousness". When you get to understand
this, you won't only know all are important but you would know which to
focus on per time and you would understand that in all your getting here on
earth you should get God first because he shouldn't be an addendum to
our lives. Moreover, when God is made the first, he would help
automatically add the things that are essential to your sustainability and
satisfaction unto you.

Welfare of people is the welfare of God.

I recall a story of a rich old man. This man was so rich that he could be
regarded as the richest around his environment.

Everywhere was sparkling. Also, he has a borehole in his house where

people went to fetch water. However, the problem is that he talked so
harshly and treated people with contempt when it came to giving or selling
out the water.

Complaints upon complaints from people who care to complain.

Things were going on smoothly. The man never planned to die. He was not
ready for death. He would have believed that he would live for many years
but one day, he died. If money could get everything, but it couldn't.

He had not yet been buried when the people around the environment went
straight away to the tap water, the water which the man had cherished so
much while he was alive. They went there and began to waste the water,
calling his name saying "Baba e dide won ti n fi Omi yin shofo" meaning
"Baba get up, your water is being wasted '' If money could raise the dead!

I don't know what you have cherished so much that has made you gather
up a great number of enemies for yourself. I know that is where your heart
has been but do you remember the three Servants? They gave an account
individually. Should material things bother you so much? I know they are
important to some extent as a means of sustaining the flesh but note they
can't cross over to eternity. Never would they be able to cross over. Or
have you ever seen anyone take along all that he possessed here on earth
after his death? It is when you are alive that you would have the right to
claim them as "My money", "My certificates", "My mansions" or even "My
family". When the death appointment calls, there won't be any link of those
things to you at the other side.

Death is the only appointment that would separate your body from your
soul. The earlier we recognise the wealth, riches or treasures that would
sustain the soul, the better.

The aftermath of his death here on earth was a pitiable sight to behold and
we definitely know it wouldn't end there because after death comes
Judgement. Little wonder why the word gave the warning saying "And as it
is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

It is an appointment which no man can escape if Christ still tarries. We all

would yield to the call of it if he still tarries.

Now, what is your own definition of true riches? Jesus gave very important
advice which must not be neglected by anyone who wants to experience
the essence of true riches.

"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:

for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men too fast. Verily
I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in
secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
Matthew 6:16-20 (KJV)

Few out of the many pieces of advice given by Jesus during his ministry
can be found in Matthew chapter 6 compiled in series unto different set of
people. Yet, all headed towards a central point.

We see Jesus first talking to those in charity ministry or the so called alms
givers saying in essence "I have seen all the efforts you are putting into
the Kingdom by being a blessing to souls through giving but there is
no need announcing it all over. God who knows all things would
reward you in due time". Jesus must have observed men who receive
praises and accolades. He must have noticed men who are giving only
because someone is giving too. Hope you don't fall under this category?
Those things you have given to that neighbour, hope your giving is not
borne out of a condition? When conditions fail, things would fall apart.
Irrespective of how great riches you think you have attained, they must be
geared by the right motive and towards the right things. This makes a
whole lot of difference!

Comparison and competition must have been thriving among the men. As if
that wasn't enough, those that are meant to give the supplication,
Intercession and thanksgiving Prayers were all doing it to please men. Men
pleasers were so easy to locate as Jesus deliberately began to point out
their flaws.

Those that are fasting weren't exempted. All the fasting and praying has
become religious activities instead of an act of worship which should hallow
God's kingdom and name down to earth.

It never stopped there, Jesus Christ must have been a great observer
pointing out one after the other categories of people. The givers that are
showcasing, Prayer warriors that are worry sore about accolades, Men that
ought to be Physically starve to activate the Spirit now doing so at the
essence of getting praises. Perhaps, they would be identified as the best to
keep long fasting of the year. Oh! what a vain thought and attempt.
He then went further to pinpoint men who are asking amiss. Repeating
words they ought not to repeat and clouding their prayer atmosphere with
complaints, unnecessary requests and murmurings as though God is blind
or deaf.

The above places are the places of their [Link] some, their treasure
includes accolade, fame, prestige, recognition and other material things.

Most men prefer to be applauded by men than to be applauded by the host

of heaven. That is what our society is full of today. Men that are after
accolades and recognition at the expense of people they are called to
serve. Men that never seem to get tired, no point of satisfaction despite the
wealth untold they have garnered for themselves in their selfish state. Men
that prefer seeing others in abject poverty while they keep getting richer
and richer.

I don't know that area of your fault that Jesus has been pointing at for a
while now. If you don't deal with it, it will become a flaw.

Probably, where your heart is constantly drawn to is the "Thank you very
much" you are expecting to get at the end of it all. Have this not become to
you true riches?

We see the central idea of Jesus point to nothing other than acknowledging
God and completely doing away with what men would do or say. His advice
points earnestly at the need to cast away all forms of vain glory and see
God as the central point of view in all we do. In our giving, Fasting, Praying,
interaction with men and even our walk with God himself, all that is needed
to be done is to make God the first on the priority list.

There couldn't have been a more admonition, there couldn't have been a
better counsel from Jesus himself.

He being the truth himself couldn't have given a bigger truth than this.

So when we say "True Riches" it means treasure, something inestimable

that is found blameless, without fault or without any form of fallacy.
Jesus knew that the rush for material possessions was on the rise daily and
as a true Shepherd the best he can offer to save many from the wiles of the
wicked is that invaluable advice in advance.

Without doubt, Jesus must have gotten this present generation of ours
where there has been mad rush for Silver and Gold than in the past at
heart while giving that particular advice "Store not treasure for yourself
where rust and moth can destroy".

The best strategy our Lord and Saviour can use to save many from
concentrating only on riches of the world that never satisfies is this great
advice "Store not."

Many have flipped through the scriptures, reading this part over and over
without the pure revelation of the message Jesus needs them to get there.
Perhaps, they don't even pay attention to that which Jesus is drawing them
to.

There is a kind of riches that he needs us to explore, discover and engage

our lives with and that is what we call "True riches". We have discovered in
time past men panting after this kind of riches just as the deer pant for
water. These men have been able to distinguish between the riches that
satisfy only the present and cannot satisfy the future. They have passed
the temptations that could make them bow to that which the world called
riches.

They took something as their treasure, what their hearts long for and it was
just "The riches after their heart".

What have you taken as your treasure or riches? Noteworthy is that

whatever you take as your treasure is directly proportional to the where of
it.

As we can't store water inside a barn. Also, no one is expected to store

Yam inside a water tank. In respect to this illustration, the "what" of your
treasure meaning that which you take as riches or treasure to you would
determine where you would store it.

Knowing the kinds of treasure

A man of ignorance does have an [Link] a man who has the
knowledge but refuses to apply would be void of one.

Jesus Christ through his advice gave two kinds of treasure there and it is in
the power of each man to choose for himself that which his heart yearns
for. One thing God would never do is to impose upon the will of man. Our
will is as powerful as our Faith.

Through it, we can decide to keep going or halt. Through the power of self
will, many who ought not to perish have perished. Pharaoh was a perfect
example. He got every reason not to follow after the Israelites but one thing
sure is that his heart was focused on his will to remain obstinate and
adamant. He was so rigid and unyielding and it eventually landed him into
the red sea. A place of destruction.

Also, we all have the right to know certain things as well as the power to
choose for ourselves that which would either make or mar us.

The word puts it better "I call heaven and earth to record this day against
you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" Deuteronomy
30:19

In the above scripture, it is directly pointing to us to see for ourselves

heaven and earth bearing records of every single line of action we take
here on earth.

Every action either it is directly proportional to heavenly things or earthly

things thus have two witnesses; Heaven and Earth.

Therefore, it is beyond our just choosing things and living the way we want.
Everything we do gradually becomes riches, treasure or goods that keep
storing up for a fateful day where an account would be given.

Those treasures would be tested and only the ones that can stand the test
of time become the true riches.

Noteworthy is that no other treasure can stand the test of time like that
which is of God and from God.
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace." Romans 8:6

Hence, for the sake of the scripture two kinds of treasures are identified.

[Link] minded treasures.

2. Heavenly minded treasures.

1. Earthly minded treasures or riches

In the book of Saint Luke Chapter 12 verse 16 downwards, we see Jesus

teaching his disciples a particular parable of a certain rich man who due to
his failure to acknowledge the true riches misbehaved and that which he
failed to care for was required of him.

Taking a closer look at this particular parable of Jesus Christ in relation to

the advice of Jesus in Matthew 6:16-21 reveals a great similarity between
the two scriptural references. It shows that it was an issue that needed to
be addressed. It shows that men have been living their lives amassing to
themselves that which their hearts have accepted to be the true to them
blindsiding the eyes of their hearts to that which God wants them to gather.

The advice of Jesus in Matthew 6 and the book of Luke Chapter 12 all point
at men worrying themselves sore of things that are not life and things that
cannot satisfy.
"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought
for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on."
Luke 12:22 (KJV)

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Isn't life
more than meat, and the body more than raiment?" Matthew 6:25 (KJV).

We even see Jesus asking if a man can add a cubit stature unto himself in
verse 25 and 27 of Luke 12 and Matthew 6 respectively. Of course it is not
possible. Irrespective of the sleepless nights a man creates for himself just
to work hard to get wealth, until he acknowledges that the standard of
setting priority in life must first be on things of God embodied in his grace
and Love, he would make achievements without fulfilment.

It was to Jesus a great matter which must be addressed.

We see the rich man in Luke 12 saying in essence "I am such a

hardworking man. I have done so much to obtain this great harvest. Sit well
and enjoy yourself to the fullest maximum".

We see pride working saliently out of him while the place of grace was put
aside. God then asked him a question which he couldn't answer "Whose
shall those things be which you have provided?"

Beloved, why not thread the earth carefully even in your quest to be
financially okay among your peers?

You need to answer this question: Whose shall those things be which you
have provided? Who do you know will possess them? Who has assured
you that it is that child that will possess them?

The treasure of the rich man was on material things but the end was surely
unwelcoming.
Perhaps your ground has brought forth plentifully just like the rich man in
Luke chapter 12 and you have been thinking and pondering on what to do
with the excess.

Maybe you have thought to yourself "I have achieved a lot,Oh yes!" or you
have considered how to move to a new level of wealth, intelligence, Job,
connection or contacts. The question is; these grounds that have been
brought out plentifully, how are they related to what the master has asked
you to occupy yourself with?.

That you're running up and down, is it not the desire to have some certain
things laid up for many years?

What is your thought, you have probably been saying " Let me get one
more degree so that I can gain more rank in the society". Hope God won't
say to you "Thou fool".

Perhaps you have been called by men as Professor so and so and that has
been what you have all your life doing, listing out achievements.

Inside the church, you are known as a prominent man or woman of God by
men; but outside the church do your life mean something to God?

Nobody is asking you not to lay up treasures here on earth but be very sure
that rust and moth will destroy them. One day, that fame and recognition
will end. One day, that ministerial journey will end. One day, you will leave
that wealth and earthly possessions probably to men that you didn't even
store them up for. One day, your soul will be required of you just as mine
would be required of me.

One day you will look back with either a smile of fulfilment or a face of
regret.

Then, you will be called to give an account of how you have lived this life;
your life which God has given to you for a while.

Hope you haven't been gambling with your life seeking after the things
which ought to be an addendum to your life? It is dangerous! After death
comes judgement.
You have lived many years now, how many of it have you spent to do
something, I mean something worthwhile for your creator?

Worldly things are all Peripherals. Where your treasure is, there your heart
will be. There is no gain saying this. It is more than a sure fact. Whatever a
man sees and acknowledges to be his riches becomes that which his heart
is connected to. They walk hand in hand because it is a matter that can't
flow without the heart. It is an issue of life that can only come from no other
part of the body save the heart. So, what a man has taken to be his
riches,that which sustains him would be inseparable from the heart. Where
is your treasure? There you would find your heart.

Show me your treasure, riches, goods, wealth and I would show you the
place of your heart.

Material possession, Fame, Family, Popularity, Degrees, Excellence and

any other treasure will pass away but that which you store up for yourself in
mind of the Kingdom would stand a defence for you someday. Why don't
you ponder about this?

Qualities of earthly minded riches

Any riches that is placed in the priority list to displace God from the life of a
man is an earthly minded riches.

· There is never an assurance of security whatsoever. Thieves can break

in at any time and take them away.

· Challenges can come in place of rust and moth to eat them up.

· They are never fortified against the wiles of the world and they can be
confiscated at any time by anyone.

· They can never give the defence needed to secure their owner.
· They are geared towards the pleasure and thrills of the earth.

· They would never follow a man unto eternity as they parted from a man
at death.

· They do not guarantee long life and good health.

· They are mere achievements; they don't bring eternal fulfilment.

· They are not a guarantee of a fulfilled purpose.

· They are never a prerequisite to a strong relationship between man and

God.

· They seem not to satisfy their owners.

Is that the kind of treasure you desire to have? Ponder on this beloved.

2 . Heavenly minded treasures or riches

Apostle Peter was a man who got this understanding as confirmed through
his words and by his witness to the lame man at the beautiful gate. He
boldly declared "Gold and Silver have not I. But that which I have I bring to
you"

"What did this man have that could be more than gold?" the lame man
must have thought aloud.

Unknown to him, Peter has what it takes to liberate him from the stagnant
spot which Gold and Silver haven't been able to liberate him from for years.

Peter has a wisdom which is more than the alms men have been giving to
the man on a daily basis. He has wisdom which is dispensed through the
power of he who gives the wisdom.

This gold we talked about can be money, family, fame and every other
material possessions of this world.
If many have gotten the understanding that there is more than it is to life
than to get material possessions and if many have understood that their
being here on earth is not by chance but of a calling, I believe many would
have lived a more free ride life rather than riding through it roughly.

Without doubt, in this present generation there has been a mad rush for
Silver and Gold than in the past.

Almost everyone wants to ride the latest brand of vehicle, wear the most
trending attires and become always updated to the things trending.

Money making now becomes a race for both young and old. It has become
a marathon race!

Now, God is ready for the business of recruiting men that would be rich
towards him and the course of Jesus.

Are You Rich Towards God?

Youngsters are now more interested in money-making business than

pursuing that which they are created to pursue. Legally gotten or not is out
of their business.

The common slogan now is "Money must be made. Anyway, anyhow".

They never knew there are other things to life than Gold and Silver.

Are there really other things in life better than those things? someone might
be wondering.

Proverb 16:16 gives the answer "How much better is it to get wisdom than
gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!".

How much? How much?

Oh! no wonder why God called the rich man in Parable told by Jesus a
Fool.

The rich man thought Silver and Gold were worth more than getting any
other thing in life. He thought life is contained only in the increase from his
land. He thought he is the wisest since he has been able to gather much for
himself. Alas! he was a fool.

Are you really wise? Am I really Wise?

The only way you can confirm this yourself is if truly you have the fear of
God.

Divine wisdom not wisdom of men comes from the tap of fearing God.

It was stated severally in the book of proverbs that the fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom.

Something is much better than Gold, Silver and Riches of the world. We
must earnestly desire to be partakers of this great gift of God to humanity.

To be rich towards God

One of the most important things required is to fear God.

The sacrifice is not to go and smuggled into someone's house before we

get that inestimable possession.

The sacrifice does not require us bringing the head of a new born baby or
human parts before we can get that inestimable gift from God.

It does not demand that we offer our bodies to men before we can receive
it from God. We don't have to extort from others before we get that which is
better than the earthly riches.

What do we need to do? Just fear God.

Fearing God comes in place of submission to all his commandments,

instructions, leadings and dealings. How submissive have you been to him
and for him to reveal to you the riches of his glory?. The riches he has
gathered for us at the cross of Calvary and at redemption.

When you fear him, you would get wisdom not to conform to the things of
the world but to be committed to the things of his word. Wisdom that will
direct and guide you in the way you should go along with your maker and
those around you, Wisdom that will make you reach your goal through
connection with God's unchanging grace. It is the one that will make you
understand that this life you are is not yours but God's.

This kind will keep you far away from the bondage of Sin and from devil's
condemnation. God would not call a man that is rich towards him a fool.
Ask yourself "How rich am I towards God?"

Qualities of Heavenly minded riches

Any riches geared towards God and which is placed as the first on the
priority list in the life of a man is an heavenly minded riches.

· There is always an assurance of security. Thieves cannot break in at

any time and take them away because there is a God encamping around
them.

· Challenges can come in place of rust and moth to eat them up but would
never have an effect on them.

· They are ever fortified against the wiles of the world. They can never be
confiscated or withheld at any time by anyone.

· They can forever give the defence needed to secure their owner.

· They are geared towards the pleasure and advancement of the

Kingdom.

· They would follow a man who constantly stores them up and who
abides unto eternity.

· They do guarantee long life and good health from the Father.

· They are not mere achievements but fulfilment from God.

· They assist a man in discovery and development of purpose unto
fulfilment.

· They help to strengthen the relationship between man and God.

· They bring satisfaction and avoid undue wastage of efforts.

Is this the kind of treasure you desire to have? Ponder on this beloved.

Now that you know and understand what we meant by true riches, there is
a great need to explore the purpose of true riches. Nothing on earth exists
for itself, this holds true for riches whether it is the earthly minded type or
the heavenly minded type. Nothing is worth discussing if it is void of the
question "Why?" behind it and this holds true for the subject of this book.

I pray the holy spirit helps the words find expression in you as you journey
further into this book.

Self analysis question "What is that riches after my heart?"

 Chapter 2
THE PURPOSE OF TRUE RICHES
Have you ever seen someone or something that exists without a reason?.
Creation itself came into existence for a purpose. Nothing exists by chance,
nothing happens without a reason. Human resources, nature and creativity
are all bounded by purpose.

Purpose is why you are reading this book, purpose is the reason why you
do certain things. No one is purposeless, nothing is purposeless even if the
motive geared by the person or towards that thing is wrong, a thorough
search would still reveal it around the question "Why?".

If you are asked to do something that is unfamiliar to you, the first question
that comes to your mind is "Why should I do it?".

The "Why?" behind anything done on earth is what purpose is all about.
Though it might differ but no one or nothing is void of a reason. You might
plan to go shopping during the coming weekend but you must understand
that your "Why?" which is the reason why you think that day is the best to
go might not be the same as that of someone who is also planning to go
shopping that same day. Probably the reason why you think shopping has
to be done at that chosen period is because you are out of certain things at
home. However, the case for the other person might just be an opportunity
for him or her to have some fun. You see, that is what it is. Though location
and timing might be the same, the "Why?" often than not looks not always
exactly alike.

As said earlier, everything under the earth does exist for a reason.
Therefore, true riches isn't an exemption, a subject of purpose.

Your purpose is your determination, it is your resolution and it is what you

have come to accept as true. However, every purpose is equivalent to
"Why?" but not every "Why?" Is meaningful. That a man intends to do
something doesn't necessarily mean it would be of relevance. Energy,
resources, time and efforts might be geared towards it but when it is borne
out of a wrong motive, then the outcome becomes wrong. So when the
purpose is wrong, the discourse is wrong and it all becomes insignificant.
A man's Purpose and his heart
The heart of a man is the revelation of who he is. It is not just a mere
revelation but such that is true, valid and feasible. It is possible to know the
real me. What needs to be done is that my heart be screened thoroughly by
God himself.

We are told in the book of Proverbs 4 verse 23, "Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life". In other words, whatever
happens in life, takes place first in the heart. It is the headquarters of things
that reflect on the outside. If any change must take place, it must have
taken place first inside the heart.

Inside there are desires, longings, intents or volitions, choices, thoughts

and devise of plans.

What you are in your heart is who you are without. On the outside, you are
a representative of your heart in words and in actions.

Whatever is true or whatever is false, whatever is good or whatever is bad

are first initiated from inside. For this course, it is of importance to guide it
with all diligence. The irony of this is that the heart never functions on its
own without first receiving a catalyst, something that would spark the
thoughts within, something that would stir up the plans into execution. What
is that something? It is called a will. Will is that which is potent enough to
spring forth those thoughts within you into actions. It is that desire in a man
to express himself based on how well he has chosen to accept some things
about a certain subject matter.

Beyond the "Why should I do it?" there is always a question of "Should I do

it?".

For example: If you are suddenly called upon to come over to a place even
as you are reading now, the first question that should come to your heart is
"For what reason / Why should I go there?" after you must have gotten an
answer to the first question, the next question is "Should I?"
It is a matter of the heart. Whatever you allow to be established in your
heart would have a great influence on your "Why?". If you allow your heart
to paint it wrong, then it would be printed out wrong.

Identity of a genuine you

For everything there is the good side of it and the other side of it. What
reveals who a man truly is does not come in place of conveniency. Beyond
affirming that someone is capable of doing something, let the person first
pass through that which would test him basically on that thing. In fact it is to
be treated as a matter of urgency that we know that the testing period and
the period of trials in the life of a man are the times when the true nature of
such a man is revealed.

A brother in the body reached out to me one day for counseling. As I

allowed him to pour out his heart regarding the issue at hand, not long did I
figure out that the motive behind that subject matter was all the way wrong
from the outset. Since it was all about the relationship and someone
leaving him all in the name of she felt she was tired, I said to him "Will you
take my advice without having it painted?" I knew the counseling wouldn't
be painted but I just needed to ask him that question so that he becomes
aware of how plain it is all going to be. As he said "Yes" it gives me a better
edge to go ahead.

One question I asked and which I want you to learn from today was; "Can
anything which is founded and funded on a particular condition remain
inherent without the existence of the condition?"

Of course it has a capital "NO". The relationship was founded on conditions

that are linked to material things and when those things seemed to be
fading, everything went wrong.

That is how who you are within is to who you are without. If the reason why
you are striving to become successful in life is to become popular, that
status would definitely announce to you but a time would come when those
things seem to be dying down. Within you, you know vividly that there is
nothing much you have added to anyone except for the popularity you gain
unto yourself from the world.

When you gain all you think you should gain in the world, excluding that
which you ought to understand about true riches, what then would become
the outcome of it?

There is a need for a great search of your heart in order to give a genuine
reply to every question you come across in this book. They are all burdens!

Little wonder why the Psalmist made an outcry to God in Psalm 139:23 "

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:"

He is saying in essence "Look thoroughly through my heart Lord because

that is where my thoughts are. That is where the genuine me can be
revealed".

How many of us can genuinely make this plea to God to search us today
and even daily? Even in your work for him and walking with him, can you
genuinely make that request of "Search my heart O Lord."?

Until the Lord searches my heart, I shouldn't boast of being tried. The real
trying of a man comes after when his heart has thoroughly been scrutinized
by God himself. Those are men that can be called "The tried men". Men
that are tried in diverse ways to fall into Greediness and yet they stand.
Men that are offered things that should have made an ordinary man
compromise his walk with God and yet they fail not.

Beyond saying that you have the right motive. The only one that has an
answer to the motive being true or not is God himself. Only he has the
power to search the heart of men.

In as much as the thoughts always lead to plans, then the heart would
always become inseparable from purpose because out of devising a plan
comes the question "Why?"

The identity of the genuine you is the aftermath of your scrutinized heart.
You don't have an identity yet if your heart hasn't been tried by God. Can
you be intentional enough to pass through this stage of trying? God
wouldn't entrust to a man of dishonesty true riches. He wouldn't even
entrust them to a man who has failed to be Faithful with the least (earthly
treasures).

Jesus asked a very strong question in Luke Chapter 16 verse 11 after

narrating powerfully the story of the rich man and his steward "If therefore
ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to
your trust the true riches?"

It is a question for you today; What is your motive towards those least
earthly things God has blessed you with?.

Beloved, if your motive is wrong, the processing would become wrong and
definitely the results wouldn't be different either. Even in that situation that
calls for you to be sacrificial, how well have you been able to discern
through to help you overcome the lust for temporary riches?

If the word asked us to "Keep" the heart it means it is invaluable and of

great importance. Something invaluable is not to joke or gamble with. So
many people have gambled with their hearts because they don't know how
significant that part of their body is to their existence in life.

A better analogy is you getting enough foodstuffs from the market with the
money you have because you heard there would be a famine soon. Getting
the foodstuffs has placed you on a safe scale by some percentage but what
makes you safer is how well you are able to utilise those foodstuffs with
care and how knowledgeable you are in the aspect of preservation. You
definitely know that those that are very delicate (Perishable ones) need to
be preserved to keep them longer.

This is how the heart is too. It is meant to be preserved with care against
the day of adversity.

Failure to keep your heart with all diligence will lead to your heart
successfully failing you when it ought to stand for you as a defence.
Because it must have been too rotten and would definitely be void of the
quality of resilience as at that time, then it wouldn't do much.

We see King David's advice to his Son in 1 Chronicles 28:9 "And thou,
Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a
perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts,
and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he
will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."

From the advice, it is great revealing how the heart is so invaluable that
even the place of knowing and Serving God wouldn't be complete without it
coming to light. It was so much of high esteem that the Father need to
advice his Son " If at all you would know and serve God, it must be from all
your heart."

He then added in other words "Don't you think you can fool God by serving
him with a heart full of wrong motives because with him is the power to
search out all your thoughts and plans". Yet he added "If you seek God,
you would find him" Seek him with what? Of course with all his heart
because he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him and there would
never be a search termed "Diligent" if it is not coming from the heart.

The question now is; Who are you? What is your approach to earthly riches
and heavenly riches? Your approach reveals who you are.

Principle relating the heart of man to the nature of

man
There is only one major principle guiding this and the principle is stated "
You can't become something entirely different from who you are within"

This holds true for everyone here on earth. Any man who wants changes
must change first from within.
A man is just as he is in his heart. There wouldn't be another you lest you
have decided to make changes first from within. Any attack that would be
so damaging always comes first from the enemy within. Any success that
would be loud already becomes successful from within.

Your spiritual, physical, financial and social status wouldn't rise to the level
you want when you have not yet allowed it a reality within.

It is a law of nature. A man that is good within wouldn't be bad without.

Also, a man that is bad without wouldn't be good within. It all begins in the
heart.

When something comes out of your nature, it reveals who you are and
what you alone is capable of doing.

No man is designed to become on the outside what he hasn't become on

the inside. That is why Jesus said "That which is born of the flesh is of the
flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is of the Spirit".

That is how it is laid down, the things of the world can never become that of
the word. However, it is left to anyone who is ready to have the nature of
Jesus to seek after God who would born him of the Spirit.

It is now left to you to have a change of heart before you begin to see those
positive changes on the outside.

"Has a man thinketh in his heart, so he is" this is not a curse but a
principle.

What are you thinking in your heart? My thinking is who I am. Whatever
you are is the product of your thinking. It is a principle!

Why true riches?

So far through this chapter, we have established that nothing or nobody
exists without purpose. Even if the reason is good or not, it still raises the
question "Why?".
Also, we are able to establish that the accomplishment of your purpose
goes in alignment to who you are in your heart and that what you are on
the outside is a product of your thoughts.

Now, I want you to follow me as we do justice to the purpose of what the

the matter of this book in itself is. In pursuit of true riches. Beyond knowing
and understanding the nature of true riches, there is a great need to
understand the reason why there should be a quest for it. There must be an
earnest desire to know the reason why it should be first on our lives priority
list.

That is where the conviction would come. The purpose of a thing is a

pathway to a personal conviction.

Let us take an example; if a marketing company came to me advising a

product let us say Toothpaste to me, what would birth forth my conviction is
how great they are able to convince me on the reason why I should choose
to use their brand rather than the one or ones I have known before.

The "why?" behind it is that which would help me buy the product.

As said earlier, hammering on the need to get true riches doesn't mean
God never wanted his children to prosper financially. In fact,one of his
desires for us is that we prosper in all ramifications. Spiritually, Financially,
Physically, Academically, Emotionally and even social wise.

We see Apostle John reveal this great desire of God in 3 John 2 “Beloved, I
wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as
thy soul prospereth”. That is the desire of God for our lives.

The God we serve is never a God of mediocrity and so he wouldn't be

happy to see us passive in one area just because of the other and the best
he wants from us is that we strike a balance by putting that which ought to
be the first in its position.
Why do we need that which we have known has true riches to be part of
our lives?

Back then in the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve Sinned, something
invaluable was lost and that which was lost was intimacy with God. The
glory God has prepared for them was cut short through Sin. God's nature in
them died; and man took up the nature of the devil. It now becomes
something inherent unto every man born of man or woman to become
naturally a sinner. Nature continues to run down through generations and
by default the hearts of men become naturally wicked.

When God created man and woman and even all the things of creation, he
saw and declared them good but something changes that nature. The Sin
of disobedience changes men's nature of being good and unto good works.
It repented of God that he created man.

Sin continues to thrive and men continue to dig into the nature of Sin giving
the devil who has done nothing to man than to kill, steal from him and
destroy from him an edge.

Then arose a great longing in the heart of God himself. He was willing to
see those who he created come back into the command of "Be fruitful and
multiply". He would love to see men come back fully into the authority of
Dominion over all living creatures and subduing the earth.

Jesus then became the only one ready to take up the cross of men's
iniquities and transgressions.

To make this a reality, God has to offer him a sacrifice for the atonement of
the Sins of the whole world.

He gave him a ransom out of Love and it is now left for those that believe to
leap into the restoration of the true riches of the glory of God that sin has
cut short.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." John 3:16 (KJV).
To get back that which is beyond offering mere currency, Jesus Christ
came to offer himself a ransom that we might become fully partakers of it
all through Faith. We have seen many confess the Lord Jesus as their
personal Saviour and yet there are no traces of them walking and living in
the fullness of that which Christ came to restore. Something was wrong and
he came to fix it.

I do tell people that it is only a lack of identity that makes most people to be
living as slaves when they ought to be living as joint heirs with Christ. Do
you even know you have an identity? Who are you?

What does being in Jesus mean?

Being in Jesus is not just a day thing it requires a constant renewal even
after giving your life to him. The treasures we talked about would never be
found on the surface. A man who can dig deeper in place of Fellowship
with the Father, such a man he takes into the inner Chamberlain where
untold treasures are hidden.

When a man is truly in Christ Jesus, something happens to him. He gave

up his old nature for the new life offered to him by Jesus. Such a man
understands that material possessions are useful but he would never place
them above that which God counted as the most important.

Something changes on the inside of such a man and it reflects on the

outside. It can't be hidden because such an encounter is likened to a city
set upon a hill.

His former way of life is counteracted and he has no choice than to accept
the new way of life offered to him by Jesus.

Apostle Paul was truly in Christ Jesus and that was why he could count
things he lost but dung for the sake of the cross.

How long have you given your life to Christ and yet you still allow those
things that ought to have been totally forgotten lingers in your heart?

If that place you are heading to isn't more important to that which you are
coming from, you would look back.
Looking back is not for all men because at the course of it they backslide.
Many have looked back seeing the riches and the thrills they have
accessed while in the world and there seems to be something beckoning
them to go back to their vomit; their old lifestyle that is contrary to the
thought of God for them.

In Judges 16 you would see how Gideon the Son of Joash destroyed the
strange god; Baal in Manasseh and you would see how men that are not
ready to be free worried sore about who took away from them the god that
could neither speak nor defend Itself.

The god that has watched them afflicted by the Midianites for years without
having power to deliver itself let alone those that are serving it.

Whenever God wants to liberate you from that addiction you have been
afflicted with, is it not that you prefer rather to remain in bondage than to be
set free?

Many even claim they gave their lives to Jesus and what has been
predominant in their lives are those things God has asked them to destroy
before he would set them for the work ahead.

Just like the men from the household of Gideon and men from the city, they
would rather prefer to worship a strange god than for God to take it away
from them.

Before God can begin that great work in your life, you must do away
completely with that strange god. That relationship that takes more of your
time and which is at the verge of making you disobey God's word is a
strange god.

That old habit you have been panting for instead of you to completely
accept the new life which Jesus has brought to you is a strange god.

That pleasure and need to conform to the things that would not bring glory
to God are strange gods.
God would never start working in the life of a man unless he already put
away things that would obstruct his nature in the life of such a man.

You can't take up the nature of Baal and the nature of Jesus at the same
time.

If you genuinely need to be in Christ, then you must do away with all that
looks not like him. You must count things you forfeited for the sake of the
gospel as dung, worthless and unimportant.

Failure to count them as unimportant draws your heart back to them.

And where a man's heart is, there is his treasure. Where is your heart?
Drawn back to those old lifestyles? Those God forsaken ways of living?
Where exactly?

God would never force a man to serve him or be in him. It is either you
serve him or serve that which you have taken as god. Remember, no one
can serve two masters at a time. Many have been serving two masters at a
time. Some combine God and Fame. Others business and God while some
are serving even fellow men and God. It is never possible!

Being in Christ completely means giving up the old nature of Sin in you for
the new nature of Christ Jesus which would usher you through genuine
fellowship into the domain of true riches.

True riches offers you God's presence (his nature), it brings you power and
authority as joint heirs with Christ Jesus, it helps to restore back the glory
cut short by the nature of Sin, it connects man back to God's love, Jesus's
Grace and the Holy spirit fellowship. These few among others like Joy of
salvation, Peace in Jesus are reasons for true riches. They are embodied
in the need to connect us back to God in his Love through Christ grace. All
these are courses of true riches and in combination of them is what true
riches entails.

Hence, Christ being the central of it all is the reason for true riches. He
made it possible by allowing God's pleasure to prosper in his hands,
enduring all kinds of pain and persecution just for our sake.

This part of the scripture reveals it better "For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all
things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by
him all things consist." Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV).

All things belong to him and must be ascribed to him. Therefore, discussing
true riches without including Jesus Christ the truth himself should be just
like pouring water into the basket. It would definitely not stay.

What area of your life is void of Jesus? Check well please. You can't claim
to have him when a particular area is suffering from his absence. He must
be included in all you do if at all you want to receive genuinely the true
riches from God.

The only thing God requires that you do in the pursuit of true riches is to put
Jesus at the centre of your heart through Faith.

Jesus who suffers all kinds of afflictions for your sake, my sake and for our
sake shouldn't be taken with levity hands.

He was God's only begotten Son " Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him;
he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,
he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the
LORD shall prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:10 (KJV)

It pleased God to bruise him not because God pleasure to see anyone in
pain but because God knew those pains are pains of restoration and
liberation.

Even in spite of all the difficulties, the pleasure of God yet prosper in Our
Lord Jesus Christ's hands.

He overcame sickness, hopelessness and afflictions for our sake even

though many are still not regarding that inestimable price. No other
message of true riches outside Jesus Christ.

Is the pleasure of God prospering in your hands? If all you care about is
yourself and yourself alone then the pleasure of God can't prosper in your
hands. If all I am after is to seek the place of comfort while souls waste
away then the pleasure of God is suffering in my hands.

Christ the purpose and message of true riches desire greatly that we take
up the course of souls. He came for souls and what he handed over to us
while leaving is the business of souls. That is where the purpose of
whatever you gather during your pursuit for true riches lies. Not to enrich
yourself but to advance the kingdom.

Now that we have been able to establish that the purpose of true riches is
Jesus Christ and that passion for souls is the major priority of Jesus even in
our pursuit to lay hold of things contained in true riches, It is also very
important that we make an exploration into the components of true riches.

What does true riches contain? Follow me.

Chapter 3

Components Of True Riches

True riches we talked about is not just one thing but different treasures
offered by God through his genuine Love.

For the sake of this chapter, we would discuss a few while we round the
ones discussed up into one which is the ultimate reward of eternity.

Like we have said earlier there wouldn't be any discussion of true riches if
Christ is absent. He is the central idea of it all.

True riches can't just be acquired through mere human efforts. It requires
wisdom, understanding and God's kind of knowledge to leap into them.

They aren't something that can be obtained through bribing just as men
would obtain fame, recognition and some other things through bribery.

The flesh can be bribed not the Spirit. God is spirit and that differentiates
whatever he is offering us from that which the world is bringing.

True riches are entrusted and you must be regarded as trustworthy to gain
access to them as seen in Luke 16:10-12.

True riches are not something that can be obtained through mere human
efforts. Striving, wickedness and the rest can't bring them. You can't even
get them with money.

A better illustration of this can be seen in Acts 8:5-20 which gave an

account of a man named Simon the sorcerer desiring to get the gift of the
Spirit with money.

It happened that Philip has seen the necessity of meeting with the target of
the great commission which is to preach the gospel across nations and
even though there was great persecution experienced by many through
the hands of saul during this era, the preaching of the gospel was never
halted Vs 3

Philip went to Samaria, preached the gospel and won as many souls as
possible for Christ and also baptized them in the name of Christ.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard about the great work of Philip they
were in no doubt pleased with him but there was something very important
which must be released to those new converts and what was that thing? Vs
15 The gift of the holy Spirit.

When they came, Simon saw how great it was and thought having that cool
cash is enough to get him whatever he wanted and this was the reason
why he approached the Apostles with this vain thought but he was
practically proven wrong.

He thought the riches of God can be gotten using the riches of the world
"But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou
hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." Acts
8:20 (KJV).

Just like the sorcerer did, many are living in this vain thought also that
money can buy or answer all things.

If money can buy all things I am very sure that many could have gone as
far as buying themselves a lifetime here on earth or even an eternal life
after they might have gone from earth but it is not possible.

Also, Jesus intended to grant the wealthy young ruler true riches, but he
was so enamored of his earthly possessions that he missed out on a
golden opportunity to receive eternal blessings (Mark 10:17-22). I hope that
won’t be your case.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I
should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ”.Ephesians 3:8 (KJV).

Now what are the components of the unsearchable riches of Christ?

1. God's nature
When a man accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he immediately
accepts to take up God's nature which was restored by the blood of Jesus.

What you believe you are is what you become. Take a cue from Jesus who
declared boldly " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the
broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord."

Jesus was never a man who lacked identity. He knew that God's nature is
what he has taken. He understood that if there is anything God would have
him pursue on earth it would be unto the souls. He knew his existence was
to bring restoration, Liberty and Recovery.

He couldn't carry God's nature and remain powerless. No! it is not possible.

Do you know you carry God's identity? You can't carry God's nature and
shut your eyes against the oppressed and broken hearted. That is the
central purpose of the true riches of God through Jesus. It is that no one
remains unsaved.

We have many today who are suffering due to loss of [Link] don't
even know that which has been passed unto them at redemption.

Many things were bought by the precious blood of Jesus at the cross of
cavalry. Yet, many are still living as slaves when they ought to be threading
as Kings.

Many are living in fear and trepidation when they ought to be bold as the
Lion From the Tribe of Judah.

The God's nature of being a spirit, pure and Truth is not even reflecting in
the lives of most people because they have failed to admit and walk in it.

If God nature never permits Sickness, why then should that sickness
continue to trouble you?
Taking God's nature

The truth remains that God's nature is inherent in the lives of men but one
thing is to be made a King, another is to live and behave as one.

If you are going to bask in the untold riches which God has promised,
beyond making you in his image, you must live in his image.

What does living in his nature mean? Living in God's nature means not
conforming to the world.

Psalm 1 gives a clarity of what it actually means to take the image of God.

It is a blessing for a man who does not walk in the counsel of Ungodly (void
of God), nor Stand in the ways of Sinner nor Sit in the seat of scornful.

Pointing out that in the life of every man and at any period in his life, he is
either Standing or Sitting or better still Walking.

What a great revelation! If you are familiar with the scripture you must
have seen countless times the scripture giving the phrase such as "And
Enoch walked with God".

Those men understood that walking with the world would offer them
nothing other than the temporary riches and fame. They understood that
they have taken up an image of God and walking in the ways of the
ungodly shows that they are not so wise. So they walked not with the world
but with God.

When it comes to Standing they wouldn't stoop so low to stand in ways of

the wicked or scornful. It is an affront to their image; who God said they
are.

We then see Elijah the great prophet always standing with God and before
God even though the gift of Jesus hasn't been given to humanity during
their time. What excuse do we then have?
He must have gotten this understanding through fellowship. Constant
Fellowship with God reveals him more and it makes you take up his kind
better.

Therefore, the best component of true riches is God's nature which he has
made us into.

He made you and saw that you are good. He created you with his
workmanship unto good work. Hence, any form of standing, Sitting or
Walking that is far away from God can never be good.

God's nature never condones problems

God's nature never condones problems. I remembered a certain time in
2020 when I was confronted with a series of challenges and I felt so weak
within and without. Little did I know that I am already making those
problems sap out God's nature in me. I occupied myself so much with
various thoughts that there was possibly nothing to think about again. Then
that certain night in my dream I heard that audible voice from above "Look
at the way you put your spirit, soul and body into these things. When did
you last worship me in spirit and in truth?" I woke up and admitted that
challenges are already creating a partition between me and God. Though I
was still constant in place of Fellowship but little did I know that my heart
was far away.

Challenges would come to challenge God's nature in you. That nature that
never gives up so easily. That nature that is so strong to be bent down by
pressure but you have a will. A will to focus on God steadily as you keep
his nature steadily or the will to focus on the challenges and see yourself
going farther away from God.

Have you fully taken up the nature of God?

Even your service and worship wouldn't be accepted from a mere flesh.
Only the likes of him would attract him. He doesn't have treasure in the
death of any sinner. If you know you are still hiding under God's image by
mere words, it is high time you got it right.

Do not use your past experiences to define who you are; you are what God
says you are now and not what you have passed through.

More importantly, when God made the planning of your life, no one was
there. Not even your parents know how God planned you and what he says
you are.

You know what he calls you now in Christ Jesus. You know now that you
take up his nature as a Son or Daughter. You understand now that God is
not a failure and you are never one. Though challenges and checking
points would come, the understanding of your nature would make you
stand firm.

You aren't a non-entity because you have an identity. A living you from the
living God himself.

Whatever God speaks to become life and you in his image wouldn't be
powerless in this regard. It is your right to walk in that authority, stand in
this identity and Sit as a man of royalty to command things.

2. Presence and Glory of God

The presence of God is the reflection of his glory.

His presence offers beyond having a communion with him. In the first letter
to the brethren at colosse we see Apostle Paul and Timothy addressed
them on how they have constantly been praying for them and how they
desire them to be filled with God's knowledge, Wisdom and Spiritual
understanding which would help them walk worthy of the Lord, become
fruitful in good works and become strengthen with God's power unto all
patience and long-suffering with Joy.
Reading further, you would then come to this point "Even the mystery
which

been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his
saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"

Colossians 1:26-27 (KJV).

They said in other words "There is something called the riches of God's
glory and here comes the time that it would be revealed to his saints. And
the only way you can receive this riches in glory is to allow Christ be in you"

Having a revelation of what God's presence is brings you a key to

unlocking great hidden treasures.

It is the ability to gain access to spiritual concepts and mysteries. The

difference between where you are now and where you want to be is divine
revelation. Abraham ascended to greatness as a result of his continual
access to God's mind about his future. Because of the things revealed to
him, he had the confidence to believe God for a child at the age of 99.
(Genesis 15:1-6). As christians if you want to operate in a greater influence,
you have to sharpen your spiritual eyes and know what God's agenda for
this time is so you can align to his will. A life void of God's presence is a life
void of God's essence.

The impotent man by the pool of Bethesda never experienced the true
nature of the essence until he received Jesus's presence. The presence of
Jesus transforms all about him changing his former nature completely. He
was used to being an impotent man but Jesus' presence brings him life. A
new life full of activeness rather than the old stagnant and passive state.

Perhaps, Jesus has been offering you his presence and you felt it not
necessary to accept him yet. Why don't you accept him before it becomes
too late?

If there is going to be any transformation, a transaction must have taken

place in God's presence.

You need not announce to people that you have been with Jesus before his
glory that cannot be hidden from them.
Men came out saying loudly about the Apostles "They have been with
Jesus" because something was evident in their lives. God's glory was seen
upon their lives and they couldn't deny it.

When you truly experienced the presence of God something would happen
to you. You would glow and grow in his glory.

To experience God's riches in glory is to allow his presence to become

acceptable in your life. He is never going to force his presence into your
life.

Christ being in you is equivalent to you accepting him. When you accept his
presence, it truly means you trusted him enough to offer you something.
Something that would make men stand amazed at how great your God has
decorated you.

3. Power, Love and Sound mind

In the Letter of Apostle Paul to Timothy his Son, he made known to
Timothy how God has not given us the Spirit of Fear but of Power, Love
and Sound mind.

He wrote to him saying "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV).

The Kingdom of God is of power, of Love and of Sound mind. These three
can be likened to tripods. When one of its legs is off, it would definitely not
escape the fall.

Just as fear is a spirit, power, Love and Sound mind are also spirits.

The best way these three can become part of life is in place of word study.
Saying that the Kingdom of God is not contained in words but power isn't
referring to God's word but words from human knowledge. Checking it out,
there is a great difference between a word that carries power and
multitudes of words void of power. The two can be incomparable. When
you see a life that is helped, just understand that he has a divine backup. It
is the capacity of power that makes the devil lower than Jesus. Yes! The
devil has his power and authority but it can't measure up to that of Christ
Jesus.

When you know this and put it into action, you would be able to command
things.

What is power used for? Power is used to command things. You don't
plead with power. You command things with it.

What would make that sickness leave that person's body and persist in
yours is the difference in the gravity of command.

The devil is not meant to bargain with. You don't bargain with the devil lest
he bring you much pain.

Men that have gone to bargain with the devil some time ago must have
regretted taking that action.

Probably you have bargained with the devil. He has shown you things he
would give to you if you bow to him or dance to his tune and you have
fallen in ignorance. Jesus is Calling you unto his power today. Don't be
stuck by the devil's lies.

One of the lies the devil uses to get many stuck to that state is that they
would die if they deny being a follower.

Renounce now your interaction with the devil and come into the authority in
Jesus.

The devil never has the quality of Love and would never show you true
love. Only at Jesus's feet would you find what is called true. Remember,
even when you keep pushing him away, he still persists to show you that
he is intentional about you. He needs us to have those three parts of his
riches in our lives too.

He wants us to be able to resist the devil so that he flees from us. He

needs you to have the mother of all Virtues; Love. Also, a sound mind is
what he wanted for you. Sound mind means good health because he has
already borne those sicknesses and infirmities.

Healing has been bought by his stripes. Why don't you walk into that
authority today?

The devil would give a man wealth and take his health. Only Jesus would
give the both and still help such a man to balance his living between the
two. What a giver!

Getting the tripod through the word

The word brought us forth. Our making is never void of words. Words that
came with power. If there is anything you shouldn't lack as a believer, it is
power. It is part of the wealth untold bought for us by Jesus.

The only way the devil would continue to trouble you is because you are
yet to work on the power inside of you. Power helps one exercise his
authority. It helps put into action that which one has within.

However, a life which doesn't abide in the place of studying would greatly
lack authority to exercise the power handed over to him or her.

Such a person would just be humiliated and disgraced such as the Sons of
Sceva.

A power which you fail to acquaint yourself with in place of Prayer,

Fellowship and word study wouldn't be acquainted to you too when
emergency arises.

Colossians 2:7-8 says " Rooted and built up in him, and established in the
faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
To withstand the philosophy or deceits that are after the tradition of men or
after the rudiments of the world, you must be well rooted in Christ Jesus
through the studying and meditation of the word.

Many have been living within the circle of going to the church services
regularly & hearing the word through preaching or teaching but these words
seems not to be adding any virtues to them, not because the words they
heard are not powerful but because they only open their ears to the word
and once they are out from the location where the word is preach, that is
the end.

They become church goers, sit warmers or space fillers not because they
don't have access to the word .They did fit into that space because they
refuse to be the doer of it.

For he that hear the word and do it is liken to a man whose building was
founded upon the rocks; when floods, disasters, challenges, temptations
and trials will come they won't be able to shake it but a hearer of the word
and not the doer is liken to a man that build a house on a sandy ground
and when those floods, trials, temptations, tribulations, challenges or
problems will come there won't be power for the withstanding.

Many have heard and read from the words frequently, year after year but
they found it difficult to execute those things the word is asking of them.

Those that hear the word and do them not are likened to a man that went to
fetch water with a basket. What a fruitless effort!

There can be no other sure foundation other than Christ. And If Christ is the
word just according to John 1:1, then you must be a die-hard follower of
him (his word). To withstand the wiles of the wicked & craftiness of the
world you need the word (Jesus).

He himself is the definition of Love. He came into existence through the

Love of the Father and his life was never void of such kind of Love. The
Love that runs not on conditions.

To become prosperous and to have good success you must be careful to

do according to what the word is telling you or asking of you. Joshua 1:8
The foundation of God is the only sure foundation.

He knows those that receive correction from the word but refuses to be
corrected.

He knows those that are reproved by the word but refused to be reproved.

He knows those that are strictly following the do's and don't of the word.

If you are building your life outside the word then ensure you prepare for
that collapse.

All other grounds based on the philosophy of men & ideas not founded in
his word are sinking.

It is blessed to appear strict because of his word than to accept the streets
against his word. Doing his word will strengthen your union or relationship
with God. Moreover, it would create in you the Spirit of Power, Love and
Sound mind.

I pray the Lord opens your heart unto his words. Amen!

4 .Gospel of peace and Joy of Salvation

These two are parts of the true riches in Christ Jesus. However, one comes
before the other.

There can never be Joy of Salvation in a life unless there is already a

gospel of peace already accepted by such a fellow.

The gospel is meant to be preached and the place of preaching the gospel
doesn't take place only on the pulpit.

Many men of the past didn't build a Physical pulpit before they started
pulling men out of the pit.

When the gospel of peace truly gets to you, there would be a difference.
It is not such that it creates fear in people and makes them become
mediocre. The gospel of peace brings calmness to every troubling storm in
the lives of men.

Many are going through hell and what they need to quench that burning
sensation is the gospel of peace. What has been your role so far since you
gave your life to Christ? How many men have passed the peace thus far?
Or you are probably the type that creates terror in the hearts of men
whenever you are in sight.

Your Children can't even approach you with simple pressing questions
bothering them just because you have turned yourself into a household
terrorist.

Your Parents can't give you simple corrections just because you have
chosen to be fierce.

No one can easily come around you because you tend to create chaos and
disorderliness at any slightest opportunity.

Your subordinates can't even trust you to help them out with simple things
just because they have taken you to be the non approachable type.

What exactly are you then preaching to them with this kind of attitude?

If you fall under one or more of the above categories, it is time. A time to
come back to Jesus as you take up his peaceful nature.

He was led as a sheep to be slaughtered and yet he uttered no word. A

man of peace.

If you can stand still in God through those storms of life then your boat
would not sink.

Romans 5:1 says"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with

God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

A man without peace is a man that is liable to be broken into pieces.

Just imagine a ship conveying people to a particular destination by the sea.
This ship can and will continue to give it's inhabitants that safety and inner
peace only if it is free from the tempest tossed of the sea as they journey
through. Once that is broken, not only will the ship be tossed to and fro but
also those that are within [Link] is because the ship is but an inanimate
object which cannot save itself from sinking let alone those that are within
it.

In life there is no other peace found that can be compared to that of Jesus
which is a long lasting peace.

Immediate things from the devil vanish as quickly as they come. So

chasing after them is like chasing after shadows.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and it's righteousness and all other things
shall be added unto you says the word of God and without any possible
doubt inner peace and outer peace is one of those rewards of true
salvation. The word says "Since you have been justified through faith" then
you are not liable to be tormented by men again because that peace of
God will dwell within you and outshine every form of war, panic or fear that
wants to rid you of every spiritual blessing.

Peace as one of the fruits of the holy Spirit is very paramount in achieving
success in life. If you have the peace of God within you, you will have no
cause to quarrel or exchange grudges with anyone. Yes it is inevitable to
encounter people that will just count it a responsibility to war against you
but if you can subdue your flesh from unnecessary reactions then you are
on the right track to success.

The truth is that wherever peace ceases to exist attainability of success

there is not feasible.

Imagine a man trying to do something where there is chaos, shooting guns

or chasing people here and there. The truth is that he might be victimized.

It doesn't matter whatever situation you are in now. Complaining will not
solve anything and this was why Moses instructed the Israelites to be still
i.e to hold their peace.
Exodus 14:14 "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your
peace."

Lack of peace will only increase the fear within you.

Lack of peace will only make you not see the work of salvation which the
Lord has set for your life.

As the ship requires peace to remain unbroken by the angry waves of the
sea, so also do you need peace to be able to stand and run the visions
which had been handed over to you.

Disorderliness will never bring orderliness to someone. it can only do one

thing and that is breaking the person into fragments.

The good news is that God can still put together every fragmentation in
your life to build up something. Something that is worth showcasing to the
whole world and that is what his peace entails.

All you need to do is to surrender yourself to God today as he transforms

every broken piece of your life into an unbroken peace. He can still bring
peace into that home, that community and country. Just trust in him.

It is done in the name of Jesus.

Why the Joy of Salvation?

There is something that gives one Joy even in the midst of pain and that is
the gift of salvation.

When James said in his book "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into
divers temptations;" James 1:2 (KJV), this is not to say that temptation is a
good thing but it is to say that there is something giving you Joy even
though you are faced with divers of problems and trouble. It is an indication
that your Joy in Salvation as a treasure from God would help you overcome
them all.
Problems become less fierce when you choose not to give them attention.
James is saying in essence "You would enter temptations because your
Faith would be tried. however, your ability to count it all Joy would help
work out patience in you".

Salvation activates Joy within and it is beyond just being saved from Sin. It
brings you into inheritance with Christ as joint heir.

Salvation marks the beginning of your journey in life. A man's life doesn't
start counting until he is genuinely saved.

Therefore, it is a great Joy to be singled out among the multitudes though

many were beckoned on but few are chosen.

The few that are chosen are the few that met the requirements for the
choosing stage.

Just as a Job interview, hundreds might partake in the interview but only
few would be chosen.

For a man to remain calm in the midst of storms, it means he has

experienced something called the gospel of peace. It has thus spoken
peace into his heart.

Joy is the fetcher that helps you draw water out of the well of Salvation.
Without it, you can't draw let alone drink from it.

Many today are just like the woman of Samaria who refused to draw water
for Jesus proposing that Jesus don't have anything to draw with. Isn't it high
time you woke up to reality that the man who is asking you to give him that
thing is the Living water himself? Wake up beloved.

Your refusal to do what he is asking of you wouldn't affect him in any way.
In fact, it is a means of bringing unto you his wealth of Salvation and great
nature of Peace.

Come to Jesus and allow him to give you all that is needed to draw that
water which would not make you thirst again.

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" Isaiah
12:3 (KJV)
Can it be restored?
The Psalmist made a great request in Psalms 51:12 "Restore unto me the
joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.". Sitting down to
meditate greatly on this particular request, I have nothing but to accept that
the Joy of Salvation can be lost and it can be restored.

Perhaps you have no Joy anymore, you feel emptied and restless. Go back
to God the source today as he helps you restore all that is needed to be
restored.

As said earlier, his presence brings restoration and one of them is Joy. You
can't continually remain in God's Presence and be Void of his essence. The
Joy of Salvation is his essence. He has Joy in seeing souls restored and
liberated. To be always Joyful is to always remain in his presence.

Take that step right away.

5. Grace of Jesus and Fellowship of the Holy spirit

Only a man with humility is qualified for the great heavenly treasure called
grace. Grace simply means God's factor in the race. What separates a man
of pride from a man of humility is Grace.

There is no other secret to experiencing God's grace than taking the heart
of humility.

James 4:6 says "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." This entails that
God would only resist a man who refuses to submit. The fact is that a man
of pride thinks he knows it all and can do it all so he disregards the place of
submission.

Submission unto great grace

The place of submitting to God means you are weak and you need him to
fight your battles. It is like saying "Please Father fill this place for me. I
don't have the capacity."

Submission helps you to unlock greater heights through God's grace.

A Vessel that is ready for the master's use must cut off every shoulder
pads. if truly you are ready to be used by God, then you must totally Submit
to him.

According to 1 Peter 5:6 without this qualification there is no way the

master is going to use you for his work & there is no way you are going to
be exalted by him. God can't just imagine using a vessel that will go about
honouring himself just because he lay hands on the lame & the lame walk.

God will not honour a vessel that thinks all he did was of his own power.

God will never continue to use you unless you purge yourself out of that
pride that has eaten you up.

For you to qualify for that honour you must be ready, totally ready for his
use. He knows how he does his things and yours is to follow simple
guidelines in humility.

Holy spirit fellowship

God shows his goodness and mercies through the ministry of the holy
spirit. If you notice when God wants to change your level, you get a
prompting in your mind, that's the holy spirit talking to you to change one or
two things.

If a pastor makes an altar call and you feel a heavy burden to come out and
give your life to Christ, that is the goodness of God towards you because
some other persons didn't get that prompting for them to change. This
applies to the criminals on the street also. Not all of them are enjoying the
goodness of God that will bring them into the throne of grace. See Hebrew
4:16.

God's nature of Love upon humanity would never cease to exist because
he is altogether full of goodness.

That is why the Psalmist was more than convinced about it that he declared
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in
the land of the living." Psalms 27:13 (KJV).

One thing to note about goodness is that it is God's purpose for Creation.
The Bible recorded it that after God created things "....he saw that it was
good". Therefore, the least that is expected in the life of men most
especially believers is the traces of evil.

Ephesians 5:9 said all the fruits of the Spirit are summarised into goodness,
righteousness and truth. So whatever is far fetched from being good
shouldn't be found in us. Whatever is filthy and deceitful in nature we
mustn't associate with.

The truth is that every man knows the difference between good and evil.

Apart from the Holy Spirit being a guide to all truth, there is this inner
conscience that Judges the works of men.

Even the so-called wicked and die-hard criminals have within them that self
judge.

3 John 1:11 says "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is
good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen
God."

According to the above verse, if a man is found walking in the path of

ungodly, Sitting in the seat of mockers and standing in the ways of Sinners
just as we are warned not to do these in Psalm chapter 1, such a man is
evil and has not seen God because God in his nature is too Holy to behold
Evil.

Beloveth, you must understand that you aren't created to do evil. You are
created unto good works Ephesians 2:10 and in those good works you
should work in.

The goodness of God upon our lives is that we come out fully to destroy the
works of the wicked. The Joy of the Lord in our lives is that we are as good
as he has called us at Creation.

The Evidence of the Holy spirit

It was the Lord's promise to us when leaving this earth that he would bring
us comfort. Indeed, a comforter came through God's goodness and Love.

He offers a sweet fellowship with him. A fellowship that helps guide and
protect your life.

A fellowship that corrects you when necessary. A fellowship that

reconnects us back to Jesus even when communication might look so
impossible. The evidence of the holy spirit in the life of a man are first the
fruits and thereafter the gifts.

However, beyond the getting of gifts get Fruits. Fruits help you take up
God's character in nature. Fruits help strengthen your relationship with
God.

You must note that being good is beyond the outer appearance and this is
why even the most beautiful men in physique can still go ahead to do the
ugliest things today.

Conspiracy, Jealousy, Slandering, Envy, Strive, Arrogance and the likes

are all the manifestation of evil and they are not meant to be part of us
because God saw that we are good after he created us. He called you
good, abiding in that which he called you.
6. Wealth

Wealth which has health and financial security in it is very essential in our
world today.

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and
wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”. Revelation 5:12
(NIV).

We can align to the blessings Jesus fought for and won by following his
teachings. If you noticed Jesus endorsed working as his disciples were
fishermen and he helped them catch a lot of fish in John 21. He also taught
us to avoid wastage, which is property and money management, when he
told his disciples to gather the remaining fish and bread left after the people
ate. He also advised us to give to God what belongs to God and to Caesar
what belongs to Caesar which is bills and taxes. It is a great danger to
accept the lie that rich people would not gain eternity. Such a lie from the
pit of hell.

God wishes that we prosper in all areas. Poverty is not to be desired. Work
earnestly when it is not too late to work for the better tomorrow you are
seeking.

7. Knowledge

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see. Rev 3:18 (KJV). From this text we can interpret that the
Eyesight so you can see signifies knowledge of God's word. Knowledge is
power. Knowledge is light. What would differentiate you from others is the
level at which you give yourself to learning. The ideas you expose yourself
to become your plans for tomorrow.

No man of knowledge is weak. In all ramifications, seek knowledge. To

seek to know more of God is seeking to receive more from him. The book
of Proverbs repeatedly revealed how it is important to get Wisdom,
Knowledge and Understanding. It points out that a man who fears God is a
man who is ready for knowledge. A man who doesn't fear God can never
be teachable. Acquire the knowledge you can even in that career or field.
Get yourself associates that would help you out greatly. You can't know
more than the level at which you stop learning. This demands that you
expose yourself to new things daily. It is noteworthy that the point of getting
yourself exposed to new things doesn't mean that you get yourself involved
in things that would destroy you. It means that you learn daily to gain
mastery. Gain Mastery on how to run effectively that ministry, business and
family. Gain Mastery on how to live and run your life. God always wants us
to take responsibility and that is why he places us on the platform of
"Seeking". Seek knowledge, seek Understanding and Seek wisdom and
you would surely find them just as promised in God's word.

8. Strength
But King Solomon will be blessed, and David's throne will remain secure
before the LORD forever." 1 Kings 2:45 (NIV).

God made a promise to David. He promised David that any future king of
Israel would be descended from David's ancestors, and that David's
kingdom would be eternal. God fulfilled His vow by sending His Son, Jesus,
to be a descendant of David.

When God said "You are strong. Go in this thy might", he meant what he
said to you.

One of the blessings attached to new birth is power and might. God
wouldn't call us Sons and Daughters and leave us without nothing that can
be used to tackle the work of the devil. So he made available strength.
Strength that can be drawn in place of constant fellowship with him.

Balancing the strength

An athlete set on a race does not limit himself to his immediate

surroundings, he looks beyond. He knows that any ignorance on his part to
areas he ought to pay attention to would become a threat to the end result
of it all. To win the race, he neither pays too much attention to the criticisms
nor the accolades. Why? Something is set ahead of him.
Something he needs to patiently endure for though the race may be hectic.

He doesn't start assuming he has arrived even if the race is just a few
metres ahead to be completed. He understands and knows he has strength
but something within keeps telling him not to glory in himself.

Beyond the gifts there is great need for balancing. We know you have been
endued with power, we know the holy Ghost is working greatly in you and
we know you are unique in that which you have been gifted with but it is
beyond that. I realise and see men with gifts but void of fruits.

Lack of Contentment, uncontrolled Anger, Greediness, Pride among the

rest would meddle the spring of that Power.

Gifts are evidence of the power of the holy spirit in the life of a man. They
would take men to places but only characters can keep them there.

Spiritual gifts would bring us gifts but only the fruits of the Spirit would guide
us on how to handle the situation.

Gehazi! a man who should have understood this before the Leprosy of
Namaan's became his. He was a man after what the gift can bring and not
what the fruits should sustain. Greediness which was the fruit of the flesh
was at work.

Strength would bring us records of victory (casting out demons/healing the

sick/ mending the broken hearted) but only fruits would help us finish that
which we ought to finish.

Samson! A man who fails to understand this. A man who allows emotions
to rule over the directions of God for his life. Lack of self control at work!
The anointing of God would bring us to the throne (Stage/Pulpit) but only
fruits would keep us there.

Saul! King Saul anointed God but chooses to obey the voice of men to the
voice of God.

Lack of Faithfulness at work! For we can't obey someone who we choose

to be unfaithful to.

We could go on and on to list them out but shouldn't the few serve as
examples to us? Beloved, talents and Potentials would announce you but
only godly character would keep you there.

What would differentiate you from a mere magician is the level to which you
have allowed those fruits to abide in you. When they abide, people would
surely know you by them. Impatience or lack of inability to wait always
clouds the realities of readiness, preparation and equipping.

Jesus, the Prophet, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Him there is no
darkness, no stumbling block – and no potholes.

If you work with the Holy Spirit to work out the character of Jesus in you,
you will remain sensitive to his leading and steer clear of the enemy’s plan
to leave you stranded on the side of the road.

You won't be stranded in that long ministerial journey. The gifts which might
bring you the kind of home another would pray for would surely need the
fruits of the holy spirit to keep you going.
The gifts give you "what" to say but the fruits give you the understanding of
how to say them.

It is a journey! The gifts give you utterances, only the fruits show you the
"how" of the utterances.

To make a complete man, a man caught in the fullness of Jesus, walk on

the fruits. That you can prophesy doesn't make you meek and gentle. Your
acknowledgement of the importance of the Fruits makes you one.

Gifts would not sustain the passion for souls Love would and it is a Fruit.

Gift does not put away challenges and obstacles. They might come but
only the fruit of Patience would keep you standing.

Temptations would come, I can't assure you the working of miracles to help
you overcome but the Spirit Fruits "Faithfulness, Patience and Joy" would
help you overcome.

Seductions would come, speaking in tongues and discernment of spirits

wouldn't help you overcome. Only the Spirit Fruit called "Self control" would
help you out.

Beyond that area of purpose, calling, ministry, career or whatever term you
choose to give it. Your first ministry is unto souls.

If you aren't patient enough, you can't deal with men. If you aren't a man of
Faith, you can't please God. If your life is void of the Fruit called Love, all
that you do become vain.
Work on your character first before yearning for power.

A man of power without virtue is like a soldier with a weapon he can't

operate.

Gifts are weapons for the battle, Fruits are wisdom given unto the
operations of the weapons.

Being like Jesus is growing like him in Wisdom, Stature and Favour with
God and man.

A pungent man would neither find Favour in the sight of God nor the sight
of a man.

Strength is important because it helps counter the works of the wicked but
wisdom and understanding are very much important too. Also, the strength
should not be on the occasion to amass wealth to yourself. Whatever thing
God deposited within you is to help do something relevant for the Kingdom.

Bad character repels and would never attract. No man can even handle
those gifts with mere mortals. It takes the things of the immortal to operate
the immortal. Ponder

9. Blessing
Just like the one God spoke to Dangote through Bishop idahosa. Many
people in our world today are enjoying God's blessings which they got
either through a prophet, their spouse, parents, guidance etc..”I will surely
bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of
the cities of their enemies”. Genesis 22: 17 (NIV). This promise God made
to Abraham is what many are enjoying today. When Abraham gave tithes
to Melchizedek, Levi, the third generation after Abraham, was said to be in
the loins of Abraham, his great grandfather. Levi was entitled to receive
tithes as a priest because of Abraham's act of faith (Hebrews 7:8-10).

Because of Abraham, Levi was blessed. True wealth is passed down

through centuries, leaving a legacy of faith, righteousness, and greatness
for future generations.
One thing to learn from Abraham’s story was His obedience to God. For someone
who is really willing to be blessed we need to learn to obey God, even when the
instructions don’t make sense, they don’t have to make sense to us, we are to obey
no matter what. God knows exactly what He is doing, so if we trust Him enough to
bless us we should also trust His instructions, and to show that we do, we exercise
that through our obedience to His words and instructions.

10. Honour and eternal reward

There are rewards that extend from the earthly to the celestial realms. Any
kingdom investment made in this earthly realm is rewarded with a celestial
reward. There will be a heavenly reward for every soul saved, every
kingdom program supported, and every disciple raised. Earthly blessings
would not elude us if we strive for heavenly rewards in all of our endeavors
(Matthew 6:33). Although we are living today, we must keep eternity in
mind. While salvation is free, receiving rewards in heaven is not.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man

found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and
bought that field”. Matthew 13:44(NIV).

You might not have the ten but at least secure some of them. You will need
them to survive this earth.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see. Rev 3:18(KJV). So from this text we can interpret that the
cloth to cover nakedness signifies restoring our honour which is promised
when we receive the true riches in Christ.
 Chapter 4

Timing and Location Of True Riches

For everything under the earth there is timing. So also is that of true riches.
Anything that has a purpose definitely has its time and location. After the
question "Why should I come?", the next thing that should fall in place is
the "When and Where of that place you intend going or that thing you
intend doing.

Time is life and life is time. The preacher puts it well, expressing lucidly
how time is connected to everything that exists on earth in the book of
Ecclesiastes 3. Beyond knowing the purpose of a thing, If the timing is
neglected, there would be faulty results or turn out or outcome.
A man who doesn't work with time is yet to understand what life entails.

Beyond knowing the purpose of a thing and what that thing comprises,
there is timing for it. Inability to understand this has gotten many to run
ahead of time or run behind the time. A man of time is a man full of life. If
you are yet to be time conscious, then you are still living under great
ignorance.

The main reason why many are yet to be different from that which they
were in previous times is because they fail to pay attention to details they
called as "Unnecessary or little".

That is why we must be very careful of the little foxes that spoil the vine.

If being Spiritual alone cannot set my life on the right path to being relevant
then what must I do?

Being academically sound without involving God or perhaps neglecting

other areas of your life is far too dangerous to be condoned because
sooner or later you will get to realise that he who desires to be relevant to
humanity, to God and to himself need a striking balance in major aspects of
his life. And this requires being acquainted with time.

Time management cannot be set aside from any subject in life. It takes
men that are time conscious to be balanced and God did bless men that
are prompt and conscious with how they make use of that precious gift of
nature to humanity.

Time without doubt has been the only gift of nature that is equally shared
among all men.

You can't tell me you have thirteen hours in half a day while others are
having twelve hours in half a day. However, whatever you make out of the
least of that time will definitely count sooner or later.

Spending it on chatting, loafing, loitering, talking, watching Tv, Partying,

Idleness and the like crowd it out and render each day purposeless.
Also, spending it on only one aspect of your life poses more danger than
one could imagine.

Keeping Commandments In Relation To Time

When the Psalmist made a great prayer which has become part of my daily
prayer for a while now. He requested " Teach us to number our days so
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom". From there, we see days
making up the components of time and we see God giving wisdom to only
those that fear him just according to the book of proverbs.

Therefore, it is as simple and apt as this: Fear God and Keep his
Commandments and he would teach you to number your days.

What does it mean to number your days?

Numbering your days is not all about your age count. In fact, almost
everyone knows how to count his age.

The Numbering of one's day in this content means having eternity in view.
It means having the things pertaining to one's purpose always at heart
making it difficult for one to live a wasted life.

When you wake up each new day, you already have set down strategies
that you would use to allow God's pleasure to prosper in you as a heavenly
candidate.

You understand that time is not respectful for anyone. Even though
everyone has equal access to the same quantity of time per day, what you
do with it determines how great you would become.

Obedience and Faith in respect to time

Faith is believing that it has been done even before the situation comes
around while obedience means total submission of personal will in order to
see to some things.

Partial obedience is a disobedience. Not obeying at all is a disobedience.

When you obey now, it doesn't necessarily mean the results would be
instant but it means you have stored up something for yourself through
your obedience though the results might tarnish.

For example because of Abraham’s obedience he was blessed and because of Job’s
faith in God he was blessed even much more than he used to be. His faith made
him wait on God.

True riches can only come from God, and for us to have access to these things in
our walk with Him, we need to TRUST and OBEY.

The blessings of God is one that cannot be found anywhere, Proverbs 10:22 says
“The blessing of the Lord enriches and He adds no sorrow to it”

Keyword; enriches which means maketh rich.

Being Christians, we already have direct access to the Father through Christ, and
this is a blessing.

This verse also means that the blessing of God may not necessarily be monetary
blessings, but what He blesses you with would definitely enrich.

Abraham and Job are wonderful examples of what we get when you obey and have
faith, so no matter how weird the instruction is or how tough things may be, have it
in mind that you will get through this, and if GOD can bless us with Christ, know
that HIS blessing enriches and addeth no sorrow.

One thing you must know is that these two work hand in hand, before you can
obey you need to have faith, you need to believe in Him and the instructions, if you
do not have faith in God you would just assume that whatever He has told you to
do won’t or might not work out. But because Abraham had faith in God and what
He was doing he didn't argue, he did exactly what he was told. When he did that
which was instructed of him, that which is impossible unto men was made possible
by God for him and his wife Sarah.
Though it may tarry but the only one that would give you an expected end is God.
No other person, not even the President of your country can give you an expected
end.

Not even that degree can give you an expected end. Only God can and he would
prefer to attend to only those that are ready to completely obey him.

Half obedience is never obedience. If you must be commanded by God, you must
be ready to do all that is instructed of you without withholding anything.

Life and Time

Time is as old as man itself. Hence, it cannot be equated out of man's life.
Our lives are contained in it and it also surrounds our lives.

There was a time when the abundance of life which God had created and
commanded the first Adam to live was cut short through sin. Thereafter,
came a time where the last Adam brought us victory by overcoming Sin.

The first Adam couldn't resist the temptation of the devil because he
chooses to be called that which God never called them; mediocre.

God created them in his own image but the Serpent came in deceitfully to
accomplish its mission of stealing. He stole the identity which God has
given to them. He hijacked from them the identity of the Likeness of God
which he had purposed even before he created them male and Female
thereby painting false in their hearts God's word of "Let us make man in our
own image".

So the mission of stealing was executed and something called fellowship

was cut short. Fellowship ushers in God's presence and God's presence is
the reflection of his glory. That glory was cut short by them. The kind of
relationship which God had the purpose to have with man such as the one
with his own image was battered.

This location was the garden of Eden. There the Serpent deceived them to
see themselves as not who God says they are. They were in doubt of that
which he called them, they fell and all was lost. Fellowship, Dominion and
Power.
How I Love that you have no excuse. He created them male and female in
his Likeness even before the fall and this doesn't mean the Likeness of
God wasn't inherent within. It was! However, it was rendered passive in
them.

God has created you in his own image and the devil would always pretend
not to know this. The devil went to Eve feigning ignorance of that fact and
Eve poured out all that was not even requested to the Serpent.

The question was "Did God not ask you to eat from every fruit in this
Garden?"

The word every there means "All" indicating that the devil has discovered
something which they haven't discovered.

He knew the answer to the question already before asking the question. All
that he needed was an answer to strengthen the cord of his conviction
pertaining to the issue.

If the Serpent isn't aware of this great secret, how come the question?

Not all questions should be answered, some required silence. Inability to

discern between questions that would become detrimental to your life could
cause more damages than could be imagined.

The question was asked by the Serpent in its craftiness.

That was the time Eve should have become suspicious of what the Serpent
was up to but lack of identity cost her silence and she began to pour out "
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees
of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden,
God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."
(Genesis 3:2-3) What! Who asked her all these?

The question was "If they shouldn't eat all the fruit" but the answer revealed
more than the tempter had known before.

She gave the answer backing it up with but. Then came the location. To the
devil, the timing might be right. When he sees an opportunity to come into
your privacy, he would come with all the questions but when you don't
reveal to him the location, things would not go wrong.
The location of the place was revealed to the Serpent giving it a better
edge to break up the ice.

God wouldn't have planned it easier for them than telling them not to eat or
touch lest they die but the heart was already centered on the fruit of the
tree in the middle of the garden which they have chosen to be treasure and
riches over that which God has called them.

Perhaps, you have wanted to explore all that which everyone has been
exploring. You felt not to wait on God as he reveals daily his riches to you.

Maybe you have even chosen to believe what men are saying about you to
that which God has said about you.

You know that which God has instructed you not to eat or touch. You
understand vividly that God said there is no life in that premarital sex. You
understand that changing of figures just because you want to secure your
Job was never his will for you. He even told you that your body was his
temple. He even revealed to you so many things that could mar your walk
with him if you eventually go in the way of enticement of Sinners but you
would never listen. Why don't you come to terms with God now before it is
too late? Remember, it is a matter of time.

Timing is essential to life. Adam and Eve make that time they should keep
silence a time of speaking eloquently revealing all that was about them to
the devil. Little did they know that they are gradually giving the serpent the
best of clues.

When it is time to speak up, do not hesitate and when it comes a time to
remain silent, do not become too forward. Only God himself can teach a
man the act of time.

I don't know what you have exposed to the enemies all in the name of
believing what they said about you but God is still able to bring you
restoration just as he did to remit mankind through Jesus his Son.
You don't need to struggle to be successful when Jesus already sees you
as a success. Just believe and act on it.

Jesus The Life Himself

After Jesus fasted Forty days and Forty nights, it became the best time for
the deceiver to strike.

The same devil who brought the fall of the First Adam through deception
walked up to the tired Jesus that he might be tempted by him.

He knew perfectly well that Jesus was the Son of God and yet he said to
him "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.

Just liken this to a subordinate walking up to his or her boss in authority

and saying to the boss "If you know you are truly the boss of this company,
command that this office be lock up"

It is as though the subordinate is saying his or her boss isn't capable or up

to the task. The boss in his human nature wouldn't have been less
surprised seeing a subordinate daring his authority.

He must be like "How dare you talk to me that way?"

Such a similar case was that of Jesus and the devil. He didn't meet Jesus
weak in the spirit though he was weak in the flesh.

He understood that he was the Son of God and yet he chose to pretend not
to know. He chooses to challenge his authority through proving. Jesus who
understood that commanding things is good but not at the expense of his
purpose here on earth overcame.

If Jesus had failed that temptation, we would have been doomed forever.
Jesus prefers that the devil sees him as not being the Son of God than for
him to obey the devil. He understood that there is time for everything and
commanding things wouldn't be an exemption.

Many today have chosen to take up the challenge because someone has
dared their authority. Many misuse their talents, gifts and capacities even
on things that are not life just because someone dared them. Many would
drink to stupor because someone dared them to do that. What a waste!

I remembered then when I was in Secondary school, I saw many fell victim
to social vices just because their peers dared them to do certain things.

Many have chosen to take that little sniff from that stuff and ever since then
they are able to break forth.

Your sexual purity would be dared, your walk with God would be dared,
Your Faith and Love would be dared, Your Dignity would be dared. In short,
all that is needed for you to walk in alignment with God's plan for your life
would be put to test.

How do you overcome this? Charge up your spirit.

If the spirit of Adam and Eve had been charged up, there wouldn't have
been such a great chance of being defeated.

God's absence doesn't mean he is absent. You can only choose to remain
in his presence by constantly standing before him just as Prophet Elijah
would.

Adam and Eve used the avenue of the time when God wasn't first handedly
with them to connect their hearts to somewhere else.

God's absence only brings you trials and temptation which are part of life
and even this race. That is not the time to disregard instructions or
leadings. It is the time to strongly connect your spirit to that of God.
The time came and Jesus arrived for the mission of destroying the works of
the devil that we might have life and have it to the fullest.

This was the purpose of Jesus on earth and for the same purpose you are
here on earth.

The devil seeing this would never allow Jesus to continue in the mission of
restoring the true riches which had been cut off by Sin so he needed to
deceive Jesus before people received him. Hallelujah! Jesus conquered.
He didn't fail or fall where Adam and Eve failed.

The devil asked a question doubting that which God has called Adam and
Eve. Similarly, Jesus was faced too but he overcame the Prince of the
world.

He was the life himself and so the devil couldn't kill him let alone kill the
powerful plan of bringing us back to the fullness of God's riches.

The devil succeeded at the time of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden
but he failed at the time of Jesus in the wilderness.

The location was not the same and the timing was not the same but the
mission of the devil is the same.

Today, the devil has not gone to rest. He is still in the business of Killing,
Destroying and Stealing. Go back to God as you ask him to teach you
timing.

In The World But Not Of The World

Although, every manifestation of true riches might be here on earth. The

place of true riches is heaven.

Where your treasure is there your heart would be.

The state of conformity to the world is the state of confirming it works upon
your life. In this pursuit of true riches, you must understand that where the
riches are really taken record of is not here but in heaven.
Many of us use our achievements or non achievements to define our level
of success. Such a great mistake. You did something once and you failed
and you immediately counted yourself a failure? Earthly Parameters are too
poor to define who you are.

Some said to God " In your name we have cast out demons and done
many things" but that is for God just an addendum. He is more concerned
about souls!

God's best friend is a soul harvester. He is less concerned with

ceremonies and I pray he didn't say unto us "Depart from me ye workers of
iniquity".

Your self esteem shouldn't be built on material things. Here on earth, the
best material which you should put your trust in is his word.

Being not of the world means being against the world. God is not interested
in men that served him with a heart of partiality. He demands that you
serve him wholeheartedly so that you can fly.

The Time of Waiting

There is a difference between waiting in ignorance and waiting on the Lord.

The period of waiting has many thought it to be not the period to remain
passive. It is a period where procrastination, the killer of time, should not be
part of one's life.

Consistency is the mother of mastery and the period of waiting required this
more than anything.

It is a time to get ready and acquainted with that which is upcoming.

Waiting on the Lord connect you to the divine collections

Isaiah 40:31 says "But those that wait upon the LORD shall renew theirs ;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint."
The Eagle is one of the birds I admired so much. The description of the
qualities of this creature in the scriptures is unarguably worthy of emulating.

Waiting on the Lord will bring us to the quality of mounting up our wings like
this creature (eagle).

Your wings in all spheres of all life would be perfectly mounted like that of
an eagle without being wet down by the wicked men of the world if you can
genuinely wait on him.

It takes a whole lot of Perseverance to wait on the Lord in order for his work
to be perfected upon the life of man and it is only those that equipped
themselves with the quality of Perseverance that will receive the rewards
which are linked to the waiting.

As believers who decide to wait on the Lord, worldly pleasures and

distractions must be completely invalidated by us. Only sincere waiting on
the Lord can bring you to that right destination connected to divine timing.

Waiting on the Lord means you trust him for divine direction. Moreover,
you don't just walk or act by sight because you would allow God to be the
director of your life in the place of waiting.

When you wait on the Lord there is,

1. Renewal of strength: Those that wait on the Lord shall always renew
their strength and will never get exhausted in things they do because they
have been automatically endorsed by God himself to do them and as they
do them, God is breathing new strength upon them.

You would do things others find difficult to do with ease.

Prophet Elijah was able to outran chariots not because he was a prophet
but because he trusted in a God who could grant him speed better than
that of chariots and he was fortified with strength. For a man to outrun a
chariot or horses it means something has happened to him.
He spent quality time with God just as the Bible recorded him a man of
prayer and his strength was renewed.

Some trust in horses and chariots, that isn't for Elijah and that isn't for you
too because they would get weak on the way. Only the strength of God
would forever remain inexhaustible. Human beings would run out of certain
things but God would never be void of that which he has in his possession.
Lean on him totally for strength, do not trust on your own understanding.

2. Soaring higher : Those that wait upon the Lord are those that will
automatically experience that drastic change upon their lives. They are
people that experience divine visitations, promotions and breakthroughs.
They will just see lines divinely falling into pleasant places for them. Where
others are falling, they are rising higher. Where others are failing, they are
becoming astounding.

When the Lord grants a man speed, even those that knew him before
would be surprised at the sudden change of state.

Soaring higher isn't all about jumping stages. The timing of God demands
that you take it precept by precept through consistency and persistence.

The reason why God would not give unto a man all that he is needed at
once is because he wants a continual fellowship. Coming back to him
makes it clearer and easier by and by.

3. No weariness : Those that wait on the Lord will never be taken aback by
the prevailing situations of the world as they are already equipped with the
quality of Perseverance in the Lord. They will never be distracted by the
things of the world. They always endure pains for the gains ahead as they
know that the prize which is ahead of them is even more than the price of
the waiting. They are never found in the book of the laggards as they
surrender all their troubles, prayers or petitions before the creator instead
of trying to take their own human wisdom or measures into action.
Ability to remain calm even when all seems to be turning upside down is
ability to realise beforehand God untold riches and their timing.

You won't start comparing your life and achievements with that of others
because you know what God promises you and you also know when he
promised to hand them over to you.

I remembered then when I was seeking admission. I have heard more than
I could have heard. Men set out to put my heart in pain. They started
pointing out to me those that we finished together in high school how they
have gone ahead of me.

I wouldn't allow this to weigh me down. Of course the Lord has helped me
to be calm even in the midst of most difficult situations.

They showed me those that are far ahead of me but failed to point out to
me those who we started together but which are no more. They don't point
my attention to those I have gone far ahead of too. A reason to be grateful
to God!

This was what I held unto. I hold unto it that many are gone and that where
God's thought is, there is a divine allocation.

Without much stress I conversed with God and everything fell in divine
places for me.

Till now, I never regretted that situation because through it I was taught
many things about life.

When you know God's timing for your life, no one would come deceiving
you with false promises.

No man would make you feel like a failure and a disaster. No man would
make you be in the rush to do things that would later turn out detrimental to
your life.

4. Always courageous: Those that wait on the Lord are never wanting in
courage neither are they easily frightened. They know that with God all is
possible and they know the potency that is in the name of the Lord to solve
and attend to situations. They are dauntless in face of war, pandemic,
challenges, checking points and circumstances.

Don't run ahead of God, wait on him so that he will teach you time
management. Time is equivalent to life.

The time of existence should be the time you invest on things you ought to
invest on because when you are gone that would be the end of it all.

All the benefits above can only be released upon those that genuinely wait
upon the Lord. Putting one leg into the things of the world and the other leg
into the things of God will only expose you to danger.

It is either you choose God's way completely or you choose the world's.
God his thorough in his ways and he wants those that can do things to him
in a thorough way. If you are waiting on him, wait on him genuinely.

Remember, those that put their hands in the plough and look back aren't fit
for the Kingdom. It is a journey!
 Chapter 5

Principle of True riches

Admitting

Life is guided by principles; set down ways and standards of doing things to
obtain the best of results.

You can't draw from the many riches offered from the Kingdom of God
unless you know and understand some principles guiding them.
There have been men who passed through certain stages you are yet to
pass through and from them you should learn so that you do better and
avoid that which you need to avoid when you get to that stage.

Admitting that there are true riches means accepting that they are and can
be of great support to your life. Your point of admitting grant the entrance of
them into your mind.

You can't follow principles when you don't even admit that they exist.

For example, my point of admitting that I can do certain things helps

strengthen the cord of the actions I am going to take in respect to those
things. Moreover, when I admit something, it means I acknowledge that
such a thing can offer me or how greatly it can affect my life positively.

Admitting means giving chance and opening the door for whatever subject
matter is at the entrance of your life.

The subject matter "True riches" has been discussed so far and what would
separate you from other readers is admitting all that you have been
exposed to so far.

When you admit that you are helpless and that you have a greater help
from above, you are definitely acknowledging that help from above is
greater than yours. Of truth, you wouldn't deny that help you seek.

That is how it is too. Many men have done things even in their
subconscious and we see the results Spring forth to that which is beyond
human comprehension and when you trace it down, you will discover that
they followed certain principles.

Principle 1
You can't be served until you have served
In Matthew chapter 20 starting from the 20th verse you would see how the
Mother of the Sons of Zebedee; James and John with her two sons came
to Jesus asking him for something.

They knelt down pleading that Jesus prepare for them a special position in
his Father's house and Just a question came from Jesus "But Jesus
answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the
cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with?" They say unto him, We are able.

Beloved it is beyond desiring to be in that position and just saying "I can get
there" with just mere words of the mouth.

I believe the two Sons don't know that the cup Jesus talked about is not the
normal cup they drink from while eating. In fact they must have thought it is
just the usual baptism that Jesus was talking about.

They never knew that to get to that position of sitting at the right hand of
God required a great deal of humility backed up with perseverance and
consistency.

Perhaps you have desired so much for that spiritual gift. Very good! but
those men do not just receive it for receiving sake. God saw them as men
who can rightfully occupy themselves with that which he was committing to
them before he endorsed them with it.

The two Sons never knew until Jesus threw it at them "And whosoever will
be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many." Matthew 20:27-28 (KJV).

Jesus was asking them in other words "Can you pay the price?".

The price of humility and consistency. The price of service to humanity and
God. Can you pay them?

Can you keep silent when your authority is dared? Can you be meek
enough to let go off some things even if you are the one who is right?
And then we see, a giant born to Mohammed Dangote and Mariya Sanusi
Dantata on April 10, 1957 in the then Northern Region (Kano State).

He was an ethnic Hausa from Kano State who began selling sweets in
primary school, demonstrating his passion for industry.

He started working for his uncle, Sani Dangote, as a youth, and it was
said of him that he worked faithfully.

He approached his uncle and master after his 20th birthday in 1977 and
told him about his dream to start a company that would trade in cement,
sugar, rice, pasta, salt, cotton, millet, vegetable oil, and other products.

His uncle gave Aliko a loan of N500,000 with the condition that he repay
the loan within a three-month deadline.

Dangote moved to Lagos in June 1977 in order to transform his new

business concept into a reality. As at this time, Lagos was the epicenter of
Nigerian business, banking, and commercial activity. He began to create a
smooth and efficient distribution system for his goods. Benin Airport had
been built only a few years before. This was one of his routes to Nigeria's
Niger-Delta (South-South) area.

Benin, formerly known as the City of Blood, was undergoing a great revival
at this time, thanks to the 39-year-old Benin man in person of Sir Benson
Andrew Idahosa, who became a young Christian in the Assemblies of God
and later pastored the Church of God Mission.

Idahosa, who had recently returned from a missionary school in America,

had formed close bonds with many pastors, including Gordon Lindsay, Jim
Bakker, and T.L Osborn.

In 1962, Tommy Lee Osborn, one of the greatest evangelists of all time,
referred to Benson Idahosa's letters for the first time. Over the years, a
strong friendship developed, resulting in Osborn's visits to Benin with his
wife, Daisy, on a few occasions, either for his crusades or explicitly to
Idahosa's Church.

However, one particular visit in the late 1970s stood out from the others.
T.L. and Daisy Osborn had stayed up late at the Church of God Mission's
Miracle Centre, which is located directly across from the airport.
As a result, they arrived late for their flight to Lagos, which was to be a
connecting flight from Johannesburg to France, England, and then the
United States.

When Idahosa arrived at the airport with his guests, they were told that the
last flight of the day had been overbooked. There was not a single seat
available, the passengers had boarded, and the flight was about to depart.
Not only that, but the plane had started taxiing toward the runway. Benson
Idahosa's new Mercedes raced down the runway and came to a screeching
halt in front of the plane. Benson Idahosa rushed out and waved
desperately at the pilot.

The plane came to a halt, and the steps were lowered as the pilot
investigated the issue. “I have two of God's essential servants who must go
to Lagos,” Idahosa started. “However, we are at our peak. “Every seat is
taken,” the captain said. “Don't worry about it.

Allow me to board. They're all familiar with me because they've seen

Idahosa's TV show, "Redemption Hour."

Allow me to speak with them.” Idahosa complied, boarding the plane and
making her way down the packed aisles.

The passengers grumbled. As he returned to the front, he prayed quietly.

“Excuse me friends, I have two of God's special servants in my car,” he

said as he turned around to face the passengers.

This plane would take them to Lagos today.

Two of you will disembark now to allow God's servants to board.

God's blessings on you." He paused for a moment, but no one moved.

The irritated passengers' frustration could be seen in the silence.

Some seemed to be sleeping, while others appeared to be praying.

Idahosa retraced his steps down the aisle.

As he reached the back of the plane, a young man stood up and motioned
for the individual sitting next to him to get up. You can go tomorrow,
Idahosa said, pointing.

He said to the other man, "You can fly later."

They collected their things and exited the plane together.

Benson Idahosa halted the first passenger in the plane's aisle. “Young
man, what is your name and what do you do?” he inquired. “My name is
Aliko Dangote, and this is my assistant,” he responded. "I'm a businessman
and a dealer." I'm blown away. Idahosa" Benson replied.

"The World will get up for you." “You will be blessed by my God! “God will
take you and your company well beyond Africa and bless you abundantly.”

Idahosa turned and lifted his hands with tears in his eyes, praising the Lord
and blessing the remaining passengers for their patience just before
descending the stairs. They all started clapping at the same time.

He said he'd see you on 'Redemption Hour' this Sunday evening. T.L. and
Daisy Osborn were greeted with applause as they boarded the next train.

Since then, the entire world has stood up for dangote and we are not sure
when we are going to sit down.

We see from the short story above how a man received prophetically a
blessing that changed his life for good. He could have refused the man
Idahosa the request and nothing would happen but I doubt what would
happen to Sir Dangote years after would be that which is like the one that
happened in relation to that blessing.

The principle is that when you bless, you would be blessed too. There is
never magic in this. It is a principle.

Dangote forfeited his seat and that of his servant that particular time
without having any knowledge of the gravity of that which he has done. And
years back, people began to give up their seats for him.
If there is any great dimension a man has entered into, there have been
great principles the man has set up into actions in his life.

Can you be humble enough to give up those things? Remember, it is a

principle and it is inherent. Beyond desiring to be great, serve first. When
the time comes, God will announce it to you.

Principle 2.
You are a product of that which you give
The principle of do unto men that which you want them to do unto you still
holds valid. If you give attention to your time, your time would give attention
to you and that is when you become a great time master.

Whatever you give consciously or unconsciously always stands to be a

witness for you someday. You can't obtain the best results of what you put
in if it is not up to the standard. Yes! God would bless the work of your
hands but if God comes and all he sees is a man whose hands are empty, I
fear if you are going to receive anything.

When you give your best to that career, it will become the best for you
someday.
What should I give?

This question is of course more than familiar. You see people have so
many things they can give and yet they don't know what they should give.

There is more than enough you can give. Within you is something even
beyond that which you think you can give.

God has deposited something within and with that you begin to bless
others.

It is true that the challenges and checkpoints of this generation are massive
but you can do something just as I can too!

Your desire to start a ministry of your own might not solve the problem.

Your desire to establish another denomination may not be the solution to

this problem, we have more than enough churches already.

Heavens are not interested in the buildings but in souls that are truly
abiding and souls that would continue to abide.

Mark 12:41–44, ”. And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the
people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large
sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which
make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I
say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are
contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their
abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all
she had to live on.”

Obviously, the point of this passage is the widow's confidence in giving

what she had despite her poverty. This is a lovely picture of faith in God's
provision, and Christ's response to this act of faith reveals God's feelings
about our generosity and sacrifice.

It's also worth noting that Jesus went out of his way to sit and observe
people giving their offerings. God isn't just interested in our giving for the
sake of it. He sees how our confidence manifests itself in our giving
practices better than we do.

If the widow could give despite her status, you and I have gotten no
excuse.

Have you ever thought of reaching out to the widows, to brethren without
clothing and other basic necessities of life, the sick, the broken hearted, the
oppressed, the abused, the rejected, the unemployed; sponsoring the
education of the financially challenged in our gatherings,reconciling the
divorced, building and rebuilding ungodly homes to become godly,
strengthening the relationship of parents and children?

These are silent ministries to explore, they are ministries without pulpit that
we can use to bring people to God. They are areas you can locate to give
unto humanity and God.

Remember, God is never interested in the quantity of that which you give.
Only the quality matters to him. If it is borne out of a wrong motive then it
becomes an unacceptable gift.

Why should I give?

Giving reveals that you understand the nature of God which you carry. God
doesn't just say he loved us with words it was back up with an inestimable
act of giving out his only begotten Son. John 3:16.

Therefore, if the reason for your giving is because you are expecting
something in return, then you are yet to understand what genuine giving is
all about.

Your Service to God and humanity shouldn't be founded on conditions. You

don't do things for God because you know he would reward you. Reward or
not, you should do them as a course to live for.
When should I give?

There is more than enough you can give every day. Sacrificing that short
time to visit that fellow is never a waste. Taking your phone up and calling
that family will do for the day.

Where many got it wrong is the idea of making it big before they start
giving. It would be easier for a Camel to pass through the needle's eye than
for this to be possible.

Jesus Christ said in his parable "He that is unfaithful with the least can't be
Faithful with much". It is a fact. You can't do better or different until your
heart is changed.

Waiting till you would have millions of money in your account before you
would start giving is a very wrong step you have taken. Give the least first.
The little within you should be given out first before you can be refilled with
more.

How do I give?

As said earlier, you don't give out the wrong motive. Giving out the wrong
motive would render everything taken useless.

The quality is what matters to God. Moreover, what you give is that which is
storing up for you in the future and whenever the motive is wrong, the
product is wrong. I believe no man would want to open up his storehouse
with the hope of seeing all the things stored up spoil.

Give unto knowledge and you would become knowledgeable. Give unto
teaching and you would be teachable. It is a principle and following it helps
unlock many doors of Blessings of God which maketh riches. Riches that
are without blood or guilt.

Areas you store up for yourself

Prophet offering

Matthew 10:41-42 (ESV)

The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a

prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he
is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever
gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a
disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

1 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV)

If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap

material things from you?

Once in a while it's honourable to honour your pastors and priests for the
work they are doing. Some of them are full time pastors and your little gift
of appreciation will help them and as well open doors for you.

Tithing
The mysteries of tithing are dated back to the beginning of all things. God
rested on the 7th day after 6 days of work. So God gave himself 14% of the
week which is 1/7. If you round that figure to the nearest ten we will get
10%. So God delights in 10% of everything. Let's take a look at abraham.
(Gen. 14:19–20)

And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has
delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of
everything.

Jacob offered a tithe (Gen. 28:20–22) Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If
God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me
bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house
in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set
up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a
full tenth to you.”

The Israelites did not consider the tithe to be a blessing to God. Rather, it
was a debt they owed to the all-powerful Creator. These tithes were given
as "first fruits," which meant they gave God the best of all they had. 10% of
everything they had was sent to God right away.

Furthermore, Israelites were expected to make voluntary sacrifices. There

were expressions of appreciation and thankfulness. So, we can think of the
tithe as a tax that Israel paid to God, and they were also encouraged to
give above and beyond that out of their own willingness. It is little enough
out of that which God has blessed a man with. You can give genuinely
when you acknowledge that it is little out of the many blessings of God in
your life.

Principle 3.
You become what you behold

If there is any strategy the devil has been using to make men forfeit that
which God has prepared for them, it is the distraction strategy.

The only way to overcome the distraction technique of the devil is by

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (KJV).

A man without focus is a man without direction and getting to that expected
end promised by God demands a great deal of concentration. Noises and
thrills going on around the world shouldn't even distract you. Beholding
Jesus Christ is becoming like him who endured the cross for the Joy you
would have. If you are for Jesus, let heaven and earth bear that record that
you are for him.
In the Camp of Concentration, one is able to hit the target.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a situation and there was kind of no
way out? Oh yes! This is not unusual for us human beings.

But I want you to know that there are actually few ways out to be able to hit
that target and eventually get out of that stuck position and here is the
ultimate one.

"Stay glued to the relevant things and discard the ones unnecessary"

As simple as the statement above may sound, this is where most of us find
it hard to focus. Where? Knowing those which are relevant and those that
are not.

One of the Schisms the enemies used to defeat their opponents is to make
them lose focus. And once a focus is lost, right thinking is out of it. When
right thinking is not in place, then come actions that can birth forth defeat.

Life is a battlefield and the only way one can be victorious is to focus on
that which is needed to be focused on.

"What have I been focusing on that need not be focused on? someone
might ask.

Well, the truth remains that no one can serve two masters at a time. It is
either one becomes the master or none becomes the master.

If all your focus is on your problems rather than "How" to solve them then
you are no less magnifying them. However, if your focus is on how to solve
them, then you are right on the best track on concentrating on the relevant
things.

Perhaps you have lost focus on certain areas of your life and you have
been thinking on how to concentrate back. What should you do? Focus!
That is the solution. When you are convinced about the riches in glory
which God has promised to supply you with, you would have hope in them
by looking up to Jesus who initiated your Faith to help you keep your Faith
more firm.
You can't become a threshing instrument if all you see yourself as is just a
mere thread. God is set to help you out today, simply follow up.

Principle 4

What you invest on brings you an increase

Investment simply means putting in something to get a profit thereafter.

Every investment that thrives is as a result of efforts geared towards it at

the right time.

A time would come in the life of a man when he would not be as agile, lively
and active as he used to be again. Also, another would come when a man
wouldn't have much strength or Joy in things he does.

If there is any investment or if there should be any investment, it is NOW.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days
come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure
in them;" Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV).

This place is saying that if there is anything you should do, it is to

remember your creator while the evil days are not yet near. Even in spite of
the chaos in the world, you can still invest. Invest into lives, invest into that
career, that business should not be void of investment. A man of
investment is a man who understands time.

As a young lady or a young guy, the time which you should start investing
for that marital journey is when you are yet single.

Every investment is a platform that brings you an increment. And one thing
to note is that our God is not a God of addition, he is a God of
multiplication. But when you don't invest, there won't be an increase.

Start investing for that kind of Future you have desire so much to see.
When you see contemporaries and it looks as though some of them are
flying than the others, the secret behind it is investment.
Invest now in place of Prayer that you may have something to defend you
in time to come.

Invest now in place of word study so that you can withstand the wiles of the
wicked and so that you don't fall prey to deception.

Investing now means investing for the future. There can be no greater
security you could store up for yourself than that which you input today.
Jesus said "Store up not treasure here on earth where rust and moth can
destroy". Treasure cannot be gotten in your comfort zone. Go out of your
comfort zone, dig out the treasure or riches before you get to the stage of
storing them.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a
portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may
happen on earth. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the
earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the
tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he
who regards the clouds will not reap.

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a
woman with a child, so you do not know the work of God who makes
everything. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (ESV).

There are many podcasts and lecture series you could follow on how to
invest properly to avoid loss of money. God wants us to be wise and save
up for the rainy days and also for our children. Joseph was able to save
Egypt of his people from hunger and death for 7 consecutive years
because he invested time and resources properly before the famine in
Egypt.

How well have you been investing? If they need to start up that business,
start it up. Start small, finish big.

Invest into Souls.

The best of achievement in the life of a man does not come with what he
possesses. It comes with the lives he has touched positively.

How much have you contributed to those lives around you?

Remember, if the need be that you discard friends or associates that are
parasitic in nature from your life, do that. Not everyone can be part of this
Journey with you. Not everyone can be. The best you can do is to ensure
that you develop a sense of belonging by contributing to lives by making
use of the best the Lord has adored you with.

Engage when you ought to engage and disassociate if the need arises.

The best investment you could ever make is the one you make into a life.

This aspect of your life musn't be neglected.

Principle 5.

What you are not able to preserve would not sustain you

In this quest to obtain from the untold riches, you have to come to the point
where you should understand that beyond storing up your treasure, there is
need for preservation.

The best of ways you can preserve that which has been given unto you is
in place of Consistency, Concentration and Determination.

Consistency is a mother of mastery. You can't sustain your life further with
what you are able to gather up yesterday. The more you do it, the more
your sustainability level increases.

What you preserve is what would save you during the time when the
famine surfaces.

A continual consistency in place of prayer through determination would

help a great deal to make you become a woman of Prayer.

Beyond knowing you have within you the gift of healing is a need to
continually work it out less it becomes passive within.
Identifying where you belong and what you have requires you to thoroughly
concentrate on them.

Now that you know

Now that you know what true riches are and who is the centre of focus.
Now that you know that God never wishes that anyone lives in abject
poverty and that he is interested in seeing you grow in all areas of your life.

What would be your move?

In this end time Movement, God seeks men that would passionately work
out their salvation by genuinely pursuing true riches. He looks to behold
men that won't misuse the riches he has endowed them with.

Note "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God." Romans 8:19 (KJV). Creatures await
you earnestly. It is an urgent call. The time you have wasted is enough and
the energy you have geared towards the things of the world is enough.
Creatures await your manifestation through the true riches of God's nature,
Power and Might to bring liberation to lives you are connected to.

Remember, no man can do all these without truly being in Christ. Are you
truly in Christ? Have you truly allowed Christ to have a way in your life?

There would be no true riches if Christ is out of it. Therefore, in all your
getting lay hold of Christ first.
Acknowledgments
This book was the outcome of a massive collaborative effort. I owe a debt
of gratitude to Agi Faith, Anukam Lordsfavour, Ihuoma Sophia, Odunjo
Marvelous, Onyilo Alice, and Peculiar Emmanuel without whose labor this
work would not have been finished. Thank you so much for your
unwavering support and insightful contributions.