CRITERIA TO BE FULFILLED

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Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold what is good from those who deserve it; if it is within your power to give it, do it.

Men are the custodians of the graces of God on earth. When He wants to move, He uses men as His hands and feet. Thus in many ways, we could describe people as wielders of keys: keys of access to doors of influence, and even elevation.

Our text from proverbs uses two words that are of interest: ‘deserve’ on the part of a recipient and ‘power’ on that of the giver. In effect, there is a criteria that ought to be satisfied by the one to receive. When that is fulfilled, the giver must then be discerning enough to know that it is within their sphere of influence to give what is required.

Yet, we arrive at situations in life where there is a disparity. We encounter contrasting scenarios that leads to both the recipient and the giver missing out on opportunities to  impact and be impacted because the recipient has not fulfilled the criteria for reception and the giver wields their power inappropriately.

Power can be a fearful thing in unprepared hands, that is why God tests any man thoroughly before He entrusts them with a dimension of power. Nonetheless, the beneficiaries of whatever power is wielded ought to also realise they have some criteria to fulfil to have full access to the power at their disposal.

#sly