Author: Pastor J.O. Lawal

Series: Youth for Jesus

Number: Vol. 8, No. 40

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.” (Eccl 10:10NIV)

What Solomon says here in our opening text can be taken as self-explanatory. Nevertheless, it is important that we consider it carefully and not assume that we fully grasp it. Otherwise, we may not reap the full benefits of the wisdom he seeks to impart to us through it.What wisdom, then, does Solomon seek to impart through what he says here? It is mainly that we must learn to do whatever we need to do to make any ability, skill or education we have more effective, efficient and profitable in life. And he uses the axe to illustrate his point.Now, as we all know, the axe is a very useful too in dealing with trees and wood. It is also a very useful weapon for soldiers and warriors.

However, one thing that will make the use of an axe easy, fast and efficient is that it is sharp. If it is not sharp but dull, more energy and time will be required to do whatever needs to be done with it. Yes, a skilful person may be able to manage a dull axe to get some things done in time. But if he is wise and does not want to unduly squander his time, energy and resources on what needs to be done, he will know that the best thing for him to do is to sharpen that dull axe.

Well, the point of it all is that if we will be highly effective and efficient in using whatever ability, skill or education we have, we must learn to develop or cultivate it. See, the abilities God has given to us and the skills and education He has enabled us to acquire will not develop themselves. We are the ones that will develop them and must develop them. Otherwise, even though we are putting them to work, it will be hard for us to shine with them, however special they may be.

For example, even though God gave Solomon wisdom that was beyond measure, he had to train his mind to read, study, learn, explore, observe, investigate and experiment. Otherwise, the wisdom in him would simply remain dormant, dull, inactive and useless. Then nobody would have known him as a very wise and great king.But the man gave himself to doing those things that will sharpen the wisdom of God in his life, things that will make him shine with it. Look at what he says about himself:“I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!” (Eccl 1:12-13NIV)

Did you see that? Solomon did not assume that the wisdom God gave him would automatically work and make him shine all by itself. Instead, he used his head and diligently applied his mind to study and learn everything that he considered relevant for him to study and learn in life. And as he did that, the wisdom in him was being sharpened day by day.

Then, at some point, he became so effective in using that wisdom that people came from all over the world to listen to him and learn from him.In the same vein, that ability, skill or education you have may never amount to anything or take you anywhere great in life, if you leave it dull, if you leave it to sharpen itself. That is because if you will not sharpen it, it will not sharpen itself. And if you continue to use it like that, dull, blunt or uncultivated, it will not be long before it frustrates you.

But if you will sharpen or cultivate it, you will someday be amazed at the kind of effective, efficient, useful and reliable person God will have made you through it. So, take stock of those abilities, skills and education you have that are in need of being cultivated or sharpened. Then begin to do the needful to them with diligence and consistency. And may God’s favour rest on you mightily to make you shine with every good gift He has blessed you with, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright © 2026, Reality Desk, a ministry of Alaythia Bible Church –This material is the sole property of Reality Desk. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice. Please direct any questions you may have to pastor@abcministryng.com or call: 08037592851 (WhatsApp Number: 08146472876)

Series: Youth for Jesus

Number: Vol. 8, No. 39

“A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.” (Eccl 10:19NIV)

Those are Solomon’s words to us. And through them, he seems to be telling us that money is the solution to every problem of life. But is that what he is really saying? Is Solomon really telling us that money is the solution to every problem of life? No!What, then, is he saying? Well, in the context of the verse, what Solomon is telling us is that when it comes to organising feasts, ceremonies and parties, money is the solution. If you don’t have money or have people to sponsor you, you can’t have a party. Otherwise, it is going to be a dry party.But if you have some money with you, then, you can throw a party anytime you wish.

In fact, the more money you have, the more your ability to throw big parties will increase. In like manner, there are certain good things of life that you cannot access unless you have money or you have someone sponsoring you. That is because those things don’t come cheap – they cost a lot. Getting quality education, for instance, is never cheap – it is always expensive. Yes, someone can make it available for you or for your child free of charge.

That, however, does not mean that person has not paid some money for it.So, there are actually things in this life that you cannot have access to without money. Your crying, weeping or excuses will not make those things available to you. That is because the solution to gaining access to them is money. But then, there are also many things in this life that money cannot handle.

For instance, there are human relationships that money cannot fix, if they are damaged. And if you try to use money to fix them, you will most likely make them worse. Also, money cannot heal anybody. Yes, with money you can make the best medical care and attention available to yourself. But unless God heals you, the best medical care and attention in this world is bound to fail you.In addition to that, money cannot give you the power of enjoyment of life. Yes, with money you can throw parties, make available for yourself all kinds of things to enjoy, get great education and befriend all kinds of people.

But unless God releases to you the power to enjoy your parties, your possessions, your education and your relationships, your life will still be dry and boring. All of this is why Solomon also tells us this: “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (Eccl 2:24NIV)

Did you see that? Enjoyment and satisfaction in life both come from God, not from money. This is why you must never put your trust in money but in God. No, never see money as the solution to any problem of your life or as your source of enjoyment. That is because even though money can solve many problems in life, it is only those problems that God Himself has solved that it will be able to solve for you. Moreover, though money can make all kinds of things and people available to you in life, unless God releases into your life the power to enjoy those things and people, you will never enjoy them.

On the contrary, they may even become a problem to you. So, always remember that money is not the solution to every problem of life. It is simply a tool that God may use or not use to solve certain problems of your life. That way, you will not unduly give yourself to running after money and destroy your life and the lives of others around you.Cheers!

Copyright © 2026, Reality Desk, a ministry of Alaythia Bible Church –This material is the sole property of Reality Desk. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice. Please direct any questions you may have to pastor@abcministryng.com or call: 08037592851 (WhatsApp Number: 08146472876)

Series: Youth for Jesus

Number: Vol. 8, No. 38

“Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.”” (1Sam 9:7-8NIV)

What we have here in our opening bible text is part of the account of some of the things that happened before Saul became king over the nation of Israel. Somehow, the donkeys of his father got missing and he and his servants left their house to look for them. But even though they spent about three days looking for those donkeys, they could not find them. (Cf. 1Sam 9:1-6)

Therefore, Saul told his servant that it was time they went back home. Otherwise, his father would soon stop worrying about the missing donkeys and start worrying about them. And it was then that his servant suggested that they look for the man of God that was living in the place they had come to, so that he may tell them exactly what to do.But then, even though Saul had no trouble with the man’s suggestion, he could not see himself visiting a man of God empty-handed.

Why? The culture of the land at the time considered it insulting for someone to come seeking the counsel or prayer of a man of God without any gift in his hand. And while there is no command in the bible for us to make a culture of that today, it will be a good thing for us to emulate. What I am saying is that it is not only our problems we should be taking to our church leaders; we should also be taking gifts to them, as God blesses us. And God will surely honour us for doing so. (Cf. Gal 6:6)

In any case, when Saul made it clear to his servant that there was no way they could go to the man of God empty-handed, the man immediately told him that he had some money that he could give to the man of God as a gift.

That, of course, was how they both went to Samuel, who had been instructed by the Spirit of God to be expecting them, and God’s purpose was fulfilled in the life of Saul.But the question is, “Why was Saul’s servant quick to tell him that he had some personal money with him that they could take to the man of God as a gift on that occasion?” Remember that they had been wandering around in vain for three days, looking for those missing donkeys.

So, the man must of have been tired and desiring to return home to get some rest.In addition, he was just a servant and the missing donkeys were not his possessions. So, he really had nothing to lose, if they could not find them. But he did not show any form of tiredness or a desire to go back home without those missing donkeys. Instead, he was the one that suggested that they should look for a man of God to help them. Also, he was the one that offered to gift the man of God with some money, in appreciation of whatever help he might offer them.

Why did he act like that? The reason was that Saul must have been a good master to him. Sadly, this same Saul would go on to be a cruel master to David years later. But at that time, he must have been so good to his servant that the man was willing to serve him even with his own money. How inspiring!Unfortunately, many masters, teachers, bosses and leaders today cannot be said to be good to those under their care.

On the contrary, all that can be said about some of them is that they are harsh, cruel and unreliable. They will not show concern for the welfare of those under them. They will not pay them when due. They will not hesitate to take advantage of their ignorance or weakness to cheat them. And some will even borrow money from them and not return it until they fight to get it back.

So, unless God specially touches their hearts, they will never be moved to go the extra mile for such leaders, bosses or teachers or offer them any assistance, if they should be in need.Well, Saul was not like that to his servant that followed him that day. So, the man was willing to sacrifice his own time and money to help him. And that sacrifice led him to become the first king of Israel.

In like manner, the help or sacrifice of those under your care may go a long way in bringing about the fulfilment of God’s purpose for your life too. But will they be willing to make that sacrifice for you? The answer to that may be dependent on how good you are to them. So, be a good master to those under your care and stop making excuses for being cruel to them. That is because you may not know when it will be the difference between progress and stagnation for you.

Cheers!

Copyright © 2026, Reality Desk, a ministry of Alaythia Bible Church –This material is the sole property of Reality Desk. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice. Please direct any questions you may have to pastor@abcministryng.com or call: 08037592851 (WhatsApp Number: 08146472876)

Series: Youth for Jesus

Number: Vol. 8, No. 37

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” (Prov 13:3NIV)

Who is Solomon speaking to here? He is speaking to anyone who cares to listen. And what is he saying? He is saying that the one who guards his lips guards his life. In other words, one way to keep yourself safe in this world is to always watch what comes out of your mouth.

Sadly, many people don’t watch what comes out of their mouths. Instead, they say anything that enters their minds. Why? They are not functioning with the consciousness that anything that we say with our mouths has consequences. See, if you always consider what might be the consequences of what you are about to say, you will never be careless in saying anything. But if you will not consider the consequences of what you want to say, you will just speak on the basis of how you feel. And where that will take you may not be where you ever want to go in life.

For instance, we are told in the bible of a man called Gaal who came to live in Shechem during the short reign of Abimelech son of Gideon. The man was a very loud person, someone that only knew how to use his mouth but not his head. And when he came to Shechem, he began to boast of how powerful he was and how he could fix Abimelech for them. In fact, once, while he was having a feast with the people and they all were getting drunk, he told the people that he would tell Abimelech to call out his whole army and fight him. So, they all put their trust in him. (Cf. Judges 9:26-29)

But then, Gaal only spoke that day out of the abundance of the wine he had drunk. He actually did not expect anybody to take what he said very seriously, not even to talk of telling Abimelech. But somebody told Abimelech. So, he did show up with his army. Look at what is reported in the bible about the situation:“So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies.

Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance to the city gate just as Abimelech and his soldiers came out from their hiding place. When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!” Zebul replied, “You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men.” But Gaal spoke up again: “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and a company is coming from the direction of the soothsayers’ tree.” Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your big talk now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should be subject to him?’ Aren’t these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!”” (Judg 9:34-38NIV)

Did you see that? That man used his mouth to invite trouble on himself and on the people of Shechem. Yet he had no power to deal with the problem he created. So, he brought death on many of the people of the land, as the account further shows us. In any case, the point of it all is that we must learn to guard our lips. Yes, we must learn to consider carefully anything we want to say before we say it. It may just be the difference between life and death or success and failure for us. And only God knows how many have ruined their lives, homes, communities and even countries through some careless and useless statements.

Mind you, this is not just about what we say to others or about others. It is also about what we say to ourselves and about ourselves and what we say to God and about God. If you are continually calling death and failure on your life, because of the way you feel or because of the things happening to you and around you, that is what you are going to get. But if you will learn to speak only life to yourself and about yourself, you will find that life, progress, joy and peace are always accompany you wherever you go.

Also, if you talk loosely to God or about Him, showing Him no respect or honour in what you say, you will someday have to pay for it. A man’s life was taken by God when he was supposed to be enjoying his prosperity, simply because he would not honour God with his prosperity. Also, Herod was struck dead by an angel of God because of a proud speech that he once gave. And who knows how many have lost their lives in the same manner because of the arrogant words they spoke before God? Only God Himself! (Cf. Luke 12:16-21; Acts 12:20-23)So, guard your lips always. That way, you will be guarding your life too.

Copyright © 2026, Reality Desk, a ministry of Alaythia Bible Church –This material is the sole property of Reality Desk. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice. Please direct any questions you may have to pastor@abcministryng.com or call: 08037592851 (WhatsApp Number: 08146472876)

Series: Youth for Jesus

Number: Vol. 8, No. 36

“An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” (Proverbs 20:21NIV)

What Solomon tells us in our opening text immediately reminds one of the story of the prodigal son. The story, of course, was told by the Lord Jesus to show us that regardless of how messed up our lives are in sin, God will take us back, wash us and restore us. If we will return to Him in time, that is, when there is still breath in us. (Cf. Luke 15)

However, the story also teaches us of the danger of taking for our use or enjoyment things or positions that we do not yet have the ability to handle. Yes, it may be legitimate for us to have something or to occupy a position. But if we are not yet ready for it, then, we should not be in a hurry to occupy it. Otherwise, as Solomon tells in our opening text, what is meant to be a blessing to us may end up being a curse to our lives.That was the case with the prodigal son. The inheritance that he collected from his father was actually his to have. That was because he was a legitimate son of the man.

However, at the time that he demanded to have his own inheritance, he did not have the character, discipline and wisdom required to maintain it or to multiply it. All that he had enough sense to do was to consume whatever entered his hand.So, it was not long at all after he had taken his own inheritance from his father that he lost it all in riotous living. Then he began to really suffer in life. Thankfully, his father was still alive at the time and also wealthy. Not only that, his father was a compassionate one, one that was actually longing for him to come back home, in spite of the mess he had made with his life.

Otherwise, his return home would have been another tragedy for him.You can, then, see why some people will specify in their wills the ages that their children can begin to enjoy the inheritance or certain good things of life they have made available for them. They do that under the assumption that age will have matured those children and made them ready to obtain, use and enjoy what is legitimately theirs, without destroying themselves with it.But while age often produces physical maturity, it will not automatically produce mental or spiritual maturity. What people give themselves to learning and doing is what will determine how soon they will attain the level of mental or spiritual maturity that they need to be able to handle certain things that are meant for them in life without destroying themselves with these things.

So, instead of merely fixing your eyes on having those beautiful things of life that can be yours or that are meant for you, also fix your eyes on making yourself ready to be able to have, use and keep those things without destroying yourself with them. Otherwise, your possession of certain things that are legitimate and good for you to have may end up being a curse to you, instead of a blessing. So, don’t go for anything too soon, sooner than you are ready for it. Or else, you may harm yourself with it beyond recovery.

Copyright © 2026, Reality Desk, a ministry of Alaythia Bible Church –This material is the sole property of Reality Desk. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice. Please direct any questions you may have to pastor@abcministryng.com or call: 08037592851 (WhatsApp Number: 08146472876)