ICS Daily Devotions
Are you a consumer or producer in God’s Kingdom?
In today’s world, we are so accustomed to being entertained and served, that we exhibit consumeristic behaviours in our daily lives. We eventually will develop a habit of watching and consuming all that is around us without participating or producing anything.
We can even become consumers in Church. We do this by coming to Church on Sundays, listening to the messages and then returning home without producing anything. God never intended for us to be just consumers of Christianity.
Luke 4:40-44 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. 42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
The people were blessed by Jesus’ ministry. They were healed and had demons cast out of them. When they heard and knew that Jesus is the Christ who can truly remove heavy burdens, they tried to keep Him from leaving them (consuming instead of producing).
We are also very blessed! Although some Christians say that they have lots of unresolved problems, they should be reminded that they are saved and destined as citizens of heaven.
We are very much influenced by the spirit and values of this world as consumerism rises. We are constantly aiming for better material things eg. better cars, bigger houses, more money, how to get the next promotion etc. The cares of this world choke the Word and cause it not to bear fruit in our lives.
Matt 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When Jesus tried to leave the crowd after healing the sick, He said to them “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:43). This is an example of producing in God’s kingdom. Let us do what God has called us to do so that we are producers and not just consumers in His kingdom, bearing much fruit in the process.
Sermon Series: Are you a consumer or producer in God’s Kingdom?
