(BY VEN. FOLUSO TAIWO)

“It is a great privilege to receive from God and all that we have, come from God. This is a true expression of David after he had given so much to God, it was a great relationship with God a great desire to please God.”

This was the submission of the Venerable Andrus Ukaejiofo while preaching at the 6th Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service of the Chapel of the Advent, Primate’s Office, Abuja.

Venerable Ukaejiofo while speaking on the theme of the harvest, “All things come from you…,” said Christians must have a great relationship with God to be motivated, just as David exalted God and motivated the people to give richly to Him.

He said if Christians do not have relationship with God, they will never be motivated or think of anything concerning God. Many Christians according to the Supervising Priest of Asokoro Archdeaconry, Diocese of Abuja are fond of taking from the house of God rather than supporting the work of God. He urged all and sundry to follow the example of David and do honourable things in the name of God, adding that if people are in the heart of God, values will be established and names written in the high place and remain there till the return to eternal life.

He said everything in life, money, wealth, husband, wife, children all belong to God, adding that it is unfortunate that some people are competing with God and heading to trouble because they give in pride and arrogance not knowing that what they have can melt in a jiffy, because what God gives belongs to Him.

The cleric said it is the grace of God that sustains, especially if giving is cheerful and not of compulsion because salvation is free, abundance and power of wealth is free; hence Christians must commit themselves to service.

He urged Christians not to hold tightly to what is given them, but allow the kingdom of God to blossom and receive divine blessing and honour, because only the grace of God can sustain His people.

Also during the service, the Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion, the Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh inaugurated twelve patrons and patronesses for the choir of the Chapel of the Advent. While inaugurating, the Primate commended the choir and added that the inauguration of these set of people will be a boost to the workings and standard of a modern day choir. He said this inauguration has come at a time when the chapel is looking forward to moving to its permanent site at the newly completed Bishop’s court.

Highpoint of the harvest thanksgiving service was the rendition of melodious tunes by the choir with parishioners from all the churches in the diocese wriggling their bodies in appreciation of what God has done in their lives and in the Chapel. Representatives of the 8 Archdeaconries led by the Primate, in quick succession came out with their members eulogizing God and donating to the furtherance of the kingdom of God on earth.