How to Stay Connected to Your SOURCE (2)

In the last edition, we started exploring how to stayAt first, I argued about it in my mind. But having made
connected with your SOURCE once you'veup my mind to walk in truth, and seeing the way
discovered Him. I listed seven conditions that must beRomans 13:8 puts it bluntly in the Amplified Bible
satisfied for this connection to be effected.translation, I had no choice than to start doing what the
The conditions are:Word of GOD says is right and which His servant, my
[1] Walking in truthBishop, demonstrates with abundant proof that it is
[2] Being faithfulpossible and doable.
[3] Being diligentThis is how the Amplified Bible translates that scripture:
[4] Being a committed tither"Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except
[5] Sowing ceaselessly and not sparinglyto love one another; for he who loves his neighbour
[6] Believing in your SOURCE and[who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law
[7] Saying with conviction whatever your SOURCE[relating to one's fellow men, meeting all its
says you are.requirements]." [Emphasis is mine].
We started by looking at Walking in truth. To walk inFast forward to 2009 and the ever faithful GOD has
truth means to do what the Word of GOD says, to dorewarded my faithfulness in walking in the light of His
things according to how GOD says they are right toWord in Deuteronomy 28:12 and Romans 13:8 by
be done. Why? Because His Word is truth [Psalmsensuring that our businesses are totally debt free.
119:160a and John 17:17].Was it easy paying off the debt? No. Was it paid off
Okay, let's continue our journey from here. One moreovernight? No.
important point I want to make concerning Walking inFor the purpose of giving you an idea of how the huge
truth is that it is the foundation for fulfilling all the otherdebt was paid off, I'll describe some of the steps I took.
conditions. In fact, you could say that if you learn howThe first thing I did was to be faithful in the payment of
to walk in truth, you really don't need to bother with themy tithe.
other conditions. It's that important and all-embracing.Yes, I never missed paying it on any income that I
Faithfulnessearned. Many times it was not convenient. But I paid it
One word that will easily communicate the meaning ofanyway. It was a covenant obligation. And paying it is
faithfulness to you is consistency. In the sense that themy evidence that I'm walking in obedience to His Word.
word faithfulness is employed here, it means toNext, I resisted every temptation to borrow. What we
consistently do what is right. And what is right? Whatdidn't have money to buy was done without, no matter
the Word of GOD says is right.what the thing was. In other words, we were strictly
For example, everyone who has ever walked withliving within what our business could provide.
GOD recognizes one thing: He is faithful. That is one ofBy doing these two things -- refusing to borrow to
GOD's greatest attributes; His faithfulness. If GODincrease our debt and doing without what we couldn't
says it, then you should consider it done. He cannotafford -- GOD gradually led us out of debt. Today,
deny Himself.He's faithfully supplying all our need according to His
According to 1 Corinthians 1:9 [the Amplified Bibleriches in glory by Christ Jesus.
translation]: "God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, andDiligence
therefore ever true to His promise, and He can beA dictionary meaning of diligence which captures the
depended on); by Him you were called intoessence of what it means in this context is
companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus"persevering determination to perform a task." And
Christ our Lord."that says it all.
As His children, we are expected to be like Him. WeTo remain faithful requires that you be diligent. You
should be faithful in walking in truth. The reward forhave to persevere in your determination to be faithful.
being faithful is huge. One of it is that you'll be able toIt is lack of diligence, for example, that makes it easy
access all the promises that GOD has madefor one to back-slide; to be hot today and be cold
concerning your life.tomorrow on spiritual things.
For example, one of the promises of GOD concerningDiligence helps you to keep at it. Sometimes the result
me [and you, too, if you choose to walk in His truth] ismay not show as quickly as you desire. When you get
that I shall lend to many nations, but I shall not borrowto that place, the tendency is for you to be
[Deuteronomy 28:12].discouraged. But if diligence is in place, then it will
Now, if you've read any of my books, especially Howencourage you to carry on, to persevere.
To Make It In Nigeria, Building Your Wealth FromI know what it means to be diligent today. I know deep
Ground Floor Up or How To Bulletproof Yourself Fromdown in my spirit man that I've come to a place where
Poverty or What They Don't Teach You At LagosI cannot turn my back from this way again. Never!
Business School, you know that borrowing forThere are no other choices left for me. I've taken my
business purposes was something I did with the samestand.
ease with which you drink water.I agree, we cannot do these things by our own power
That was why, roughly 10 years ago, my businessor might. But for the Spirit of GOD to help us, our own
debt stock was valued at slightly less than N30 million.desire to be helped must be strong and in place. We
[Note: I broke the habit of borrowing to meet mymust actively ask Him for that help for Him to do it. He
personal needs in 1974 when the Truth freed me fromdoesn't force Himself on us.
it].Are you wondering what all of this has to do with
In July 2000, my wife and I started to attend the Livinggetting paid by the Invisible Paymaster? I will make the
Faith Church aka Winners. And my Spiritual Father, Dr.connection again in the next edition before I continue to
David Oyedepo, would repeatedly share one of hisexplore the foundation for staying connected with your
amazing testimonies, that he had never borrowed aSOURCE.
kobo from any man dead or alive.