The Cost of Craving: Wisdom in a World of Waste

  

🌋Theme🌋

 Stewardship, Discipline, and Godly Priorities  

Motto Echo: All Nations One God — One wisdom for all people.

📖Anchor Scriptures

- Proverbs 21:17 – “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.”  

- Proverbs 21:20 – “There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.”

🌟Introduction

    Across cultures and continents, one thing remains constant: the human craving for pleasure. Whether it's luxury, entertainment, or comfort, the world teaches us to chase what feels good now. But God’s wisdom calls us to something deeper—something eternal.

From Lagos to London, Delhi to Detroit, we are united under One God. And His Word speaks clearly: wisdom preserves, but foolishness consumes.

🍁Main Points

    1. Pleasure Isn’t the Problem—Priority Is

- Scripture: Proverbs 21:17. 

- Insight: God created pleasure, but when it becomes our pursuit, it becomes our prison.  

- Application: Are we investing in fleeting pleasures or eternal purpose? The wise enjoy life, but they don’t worship it.

2. Wisdom Builds, Foolishness Burns

- Scripture: Proverbs 21:20.  

- Insight: The wise store up treasure—not just gold, but peace, purpose, and legacy.  

- Contrast: The foolish waste what they have, not because they lack, but because they lack vision.  

- Modern Parallel: Saving vs. spending, praying vs. partying, building vs. burning.

3. Delayed Gratification Is Kingdom Culture

- Biblical Echo: Joseph stored grain in Egypt (Genesis 41). Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4).  

- Truth: God’s people are called to live with eternity in mind, not just the weekend.  

- Challenge: What are you willing to sacrifice now for a greater reward later?

📜Supporting Proverbs on This Theme

    Proverbs 10:4:

 “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” — Hard work vs. laziness.

Proverbs 13:11:

 “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” — Slow growth is lasting growth.

Proverbs 23:20–21: 

“Do not mix with winebibbers... for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty.” — Indulgence leads to ruin!

Proverbs 6:6–8:

 “Go to the ant... which prepares its food in the summer.” — Wisdom plans ahead.

Proverbs 27:12: 

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.” — Foresight protects!

These verses reinforce the call to discipline, foresight, and stewardship.

🌐Global Altar Connection

     “In a world of many nations, we serve One God. And His wisdom is not Western or Eastern—it’s eternal. It teaches us to steward what we have, so we can serve others and glorify Him.”

This message is not just personal—it’s global. It’s a call for believers everywhere to rise above the culture of waste and walk in the wisdom of the Kingdom.

🛐 Altar Call

     “Have you been chasing wine and oil, but feel spiritually empty? Come to the altar. Let God fill your house with treasure that lasts.”

👳 Surrender:

“Lay down the craving. Pick up the calling.”

📝Post-Sermon Reflection

    Challenge:

Fast from one indulgence this week. Use that time or resource to bless someone else.

Prayer Focus: 

“Lord, teach me to treasure what You treasure.”

Declaration:

 “I choose wisdom over waste. I will not squander what God has entrusted to me.”

Scripture Meditation: 

Proverbs 21:20 — Let it echo in your heart all week.

🍁🍁

Read inspired story in this topic 

Click here for the full story The House of Oil

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