Text: Acts 1:15-26
Memory verse:
“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Every believer is expected to develop a steward’s mentality. Let’s consider, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles and how his wrong mentality about stewardship led to his divine replacement.
Though, chosen by Jesus Christ, Judas seemed to have gotten it wrongly from the beginning. He didn’t really have faith in Jesus nor His ministry but was more interested in what He would make from Him. Money was his motivation to ministry. “He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it“ (John 12:6 GNT). Similarly, there are people today, who enter into ministry or take leadership positions in the church, not for the advancement of the gospel but as an opportunity to enrich themselves and to merchandise the gospel. They lie and steal to defraud the brethren and manipulate them through enticing words. Some have asked why Jesus made a thief the treasurer of His ministry, even though He knew him? I believe He did it to make him a lesson for us, never to be covetous but to be faithful in stewardship (Rom 9:21). Are you serving in the treasury? Are you involved in the distribution of food and welfare materials? Are you in charge of negotiations, procurement of materials and engagement of workers for projects? Are you in charge of maintenance of facilities and technical repairs? God knew you before you took that responsibility and still knows you. Even though He knows everyone, God doesn’t conclude on anyone without giving such an opportunity to prove otherwise, so that He wouldn’t be judged as being unfair. Now, whether one becomes a lesson like Judas or a blessing like Mary, is up to everyone.
Having betrayed Jesus with thirty pieces of silver, he committed suicide. What an emotion laden moment on that day at the upper room when Peter stood up in the midst of the one hundred and twenty disciples to speak on the need to replace Judas who had fallen headlong. “for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬).‬‬ I could imagine Peter, speaking like this. “Brethren, this is hard for me but responsibility is laid on me to do this. It is about our brother, Judas Iscariot. Even though He was numbered among the twelve and received, by divine allotment, to share in this ministry, unfortunately, his position has to be filled by another. It is painful that this happened but the scriptures must just be fulfilled”. Thereafter, Mathias was chosen to replace him. He wasn’t replaced because of death but divergence, for other apostles died later and were not replaced. They didn’t struggle to get a replacement for him from among the disciples, and I believe that God would have been preparing Mathias for this assignment since the day Judas was
chosen. What a divine replacement.
Friends, may the Lord make you a blessing to your generation and not a lesson. May people contact grace and anointing as they step on your footprints in Jesus name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, make me a blessing to my generation and not a lesson or vessel of wrath in Jesus name.
2. Father, help me purge my mind of every perverted and worldly mentality about stewardship in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I choose to become a blessing to my generation and not a lesson by taking heed to God’s words.
2. I am not serving God with wrong motive but with correct steward’s mentality.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng