In a sermon titled "Provoking God's Blessings," delivered on July 14, 2024, Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries emphasized the transformative power of giving.
Speaking during the second service, Pastor Ibiyeomie highlighted how giving can unlock new levels of divine blessings and provoke God’s favor.
Using the biblical story of Abraham as an example, Pastor Ibiyeomie explained how God often tests His followers' faith and readiness for greater blessings through acts of giving. "When God wants to shift you to another level, He will test you with giving," he stated.
Referring to Genesis 22:1-18, where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Pastor Ibiyeomie noted, "When God wants to move you, He will tell you to give something you love. He will not tell you to give something you don't love."
He stressed that the voice urging believers to give is from God, while the hesitation and resistance often come from the devil. "Every time you hear: 'Give!' It's the voice of God. The other voice that told you not to give is your voice and the devil," he clarified.
Pastor Ibiyeomie underscored that giving is a divine principle that provokes blessings. "Giving is one way by which we provoke the blessing of God," he said, recounting how Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac led to God’s extraordinary promise: "By Myself have I sworn," (Genesis 22:16).
He encouraged the congregation to embrace giving as a means to unlock divine favor and blessings.
Pastor Ibiyeomie shared a story about a young wrestler who thought he had learned all the secrets from his master, only to be defeated by a secret technique not revealed to him. "Don't ever think you know everything your master knows, it's a lie," he cautioned, emphasizing the continuous journey of learning and growing in faith.
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