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Dr Nick Ohizu
The Voice of God
The Bible says “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favour rather than silver and gold” [Proverbs 22:1 NKJV].
We are living in the days of prosperity with the determination to succeed whatever it takes. The motivation for success transcends the preservation of a good reputation. I have lived long enough to realise that a good name is still to be chosen over riches even though many believe on the contrary because of the many things prosperity can provide.
Our theme scripture might sound a little contradictory because it was written by the richest man that ever lived – King Solomon.
However, God is telling us that if we are faced with the decision to either make money and destroy our reputation or save our reputation and leave money, we should choose the later.
Divine recommendation simply states that in the process of the pursuit of prosperity, we will be tempted to sacrifice a good reputation. When you are faced with that choice, please make the right one.
Loving favour simply means that people will hold you in high esteem because of your reputation rather than your wealth. There are people we know today that have great wealth but whenever we are given the chance to associate with them, we decline. Riches are supposed to be a blessing not a curse, therefore, we should strive to prosper through godly means.
Good names are meant to be preserved for the next generation. The Bible says “[4] You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. [5] You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me [Exodus 20:4-5 NLT].
Everything we do in disobedience to God will attract transgenerational consequences. Everything we do in obedience to God will attract transgenerational blessings.
You see, having the right to live your life does not exempt the next generation from suffering for the consequences where necessary. We should strive to live a life that creates pathways for blessings rather than pathways for curses.
Nowadays, many people are looking for deliverance from ancestral demons. Whether it is making money through wicked and unrighteous ways or making money through the destruction of others, we should never forget that the consequences live beyond us.
As teenagers, my father and one of my uncles were coming home from school one day. They met a woman with excessively big eyes. My father told us that the lady had eyeballs that were bulging out of the sockets, and she looked scary. My uncle resorted to mocking the lady, but my father tried to stop him knowing very well that we are not meant to laugh at people’s misfortune.
However, my uncle persisted until the woman spoke a curse upon him. Later in life, my uncle had many children, but his last child was born with eyes like the woman he mocked. This happened almost 25 years after the incident.
King Solomon said “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” [Ecclesiastes 8:11 NKJV].
Remember that your children have lives to live after you. Do not use your position in life or at work to punish and make life difficult for others. You never know where your children will be tomorrow.
Christianity recommends that a good man should leave an inheritance for his children’s children [Proverbs 13:22 NKJV]. Just make sure that you do not leave them only money; leave them values of Christ that will help them become not just richer but better people. Society is craving for high moral individuals but the ordinate ambition to get wealth and fame is standing in the way. No matter where you are today, please remember that your children’s future is depending on your actions today
Jeremiah lamented, “Our parents sinned and are no more, and now we’re paying for the wrongs they did” [ Lamentations 5:7 MSG].
Refuse to leave punishment for your children; instead, leave blessings for them. Our departure does not delete the consequences of our actions. If you are among the people that are suffering for what you do not know, seek Christ today because ancestral curses can still be broken by the power of God.
Dr Nick Ohizu is the senior pastor of The Empowerment Ministries and The President of the Empowerment School of Wealth both located in Graniteside Harare. He is a successful entrepreneur with vast experience in leadership, mentorship, business and marriage consultancy with a mandate from God to change lives and bless people.
He can be contacted on 0772304917.
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