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The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 19 September 2024 | The Dangers Of Corruption
TOPIC: The Dangers Of Corruption
READ: 1 Samuel 2: 12-21(NKJV)
Now the sons of Eli [were] corrupt; they did not know the LORD.
And the priests’ custom with the people [was that] when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling.
Then he would thrust [it] into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw.”
And [if] the man said to him, “They should really burn the fat first; [then] you may take [as much] as your heart desires,” he would then answer him, “[No,] but you must give [it] now; and if not, I will take [it] by force.”
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
But Samuel ministered before the LORD, [even as] a child, wearing a linen ephod.
Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring [it] to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD.” Then they would go to their own home.
And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
THE MESSAGE:
The two sons of Eli were corrupt priests who sinned in the priest’s custom concerning offered sacrifices. Instead of using the three-pronged fleshhook as was the custom, their servant ordered the man who sacrificed to give him raw meat for the priests. If the man failed to obey, the servant would threaten to collect the meat by force. This attitude made men to abhor the Lord’s offering. The child Samuel, however, ministered faithfully to the Lord and got a new robe annually from his mother. Eli’s blessing on Elkanah and Hannah was answered by God who gave Hannah three sons and two daughters.
Corruption has bedeviled many nations including Nigeria where people steal, kill and kidnap with impunity. Corruption exists in our institutions, including the church. Servants of corrupt leaders are also corrupt. People are disillusioned with the church when they see corruption there and this could make them stop attending Church. Are you part of the corruption in the Church or in the nation? Do you embezzle the money entrusted to your care? Remember that God sees you and will hold you to account. Repent today and turn to Christ and He will set you free (John 8: 36). Shun corruption!
PRAYER: Father, heal us and our nation from the spirit of corruption in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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