*SERMON:*
*NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF PEOPLE IN YOUR DESTINY*
Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9–10; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 18:16
*Beloved Sons and Daughters,*
One of the greatest mistakes anyone can make in life is to think they can fulfil destiny alone.
From the part of the country where I come from, there is an adage that says, “*You cannot live life alone.*” That simple saying agrees completely with the Word of God.
“*Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).*
Yes, there are wicked people whose hearts are filled with envy and whose desire is to truncate destinies. The Scriptures acknowledge this reality.
*”The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10).*
*”Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19).*
However, do not allow the existence of evil people make you reject the value of relationships.
One of God’s greatest methods of answering prayers is through people.
Many of the things you are praying and fasting for are already in the hands of someone God is preparing to connect to your life.
Never underestimate people.
Even our Lord Jesus Christ, in establishing His earthly ministry, chose men who would walk with Him.
“*And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.” — Mark 3:14*
If Jesus valued people and relationships in fulfilling His assignment on earth, wisdom demands that we also understand the place of people in our journey.
However, never make a god out of any man. No human being is your source, and no man is indispensable. God remains the ultimate source of all help.
“*My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:2*
Nevertheless, the value of quality, healthy, and God-ordained relationships cannot be overemphasized.
1. *DEVELOP EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE*
*”Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3–4).*
Knowledge may open a door, but character determines whether it remains open.
A father once sought my assistance for his son’s I.T placement. Seeing that he was studying Petroleum Engineering, I reached out to one of my contacts in a renowned Oil and Gas company in the country and an opportunity was created for him.
During the brief interaction, he was asked just one question. Instead of responding appropriately, he started laughing — and that opportunity was lost. The Boss he would be reporting to, took him as unserious.
Listen carefully, your workplace is not an extension of your family house. Be professional. Study your environment. Understand people. Know when to speak and how to respond. Don’t come to the office to discuss your family affairs, if you don’t want to loose respect. Do not mistaken colleagues as friends.
Understand clients and customers expectations and exceed it. They will come looking for you. If you use “*Bro*” for a customer who is expecting “*Sir*” you may loose him.
People are naturally drawn to those who genuinely care.
Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Speak graciously.
You may forget what people gave you, but you rarely forget how they made you feel.
Kindness is never wasted.
2. *BE APPRECIATIVE*
*”In every thing give thanks…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).*
Appreciate God first.
Then appreciate the people God used.
Never become an ingrate.
Gratitude preserves relationships.
Ingratitude destroys them.
Over the years, I have invested in many lives.
Some remain connected.
Sadly, others disappeared after succeeding.
I remember helping a young friend relocate to the United Kingdom many years ago.
To finance his trip, I carried virtually all my share certificates from one place to another, looking for people willing to buy them so I could raise money for him.
By God’s grace, he travelled successfully.
As life smiled on him abroad, he gradually forgot not only me, but even his own family.
Never help people thinking one day, they will remember you.
Help people because God will remember you.
God never forgets a labour of love.
*”For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love…” (Hebrews 6:10).*
3. *NEVER LOOK DOWN ON ANYBODY*
*”The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” (Psalm 118:22).*
Never conclude on people’s future by looking at their present.
Today’s tenant may become tomorrow’s Governor.
Today’s cleaner may become tomorrow’s CEO.
Today’s struggling student may become tomorrow’s Vice Chancellor.
Life is dynamic.
Promotion belongs to God.
One remarkable story illustrates this.
According to the account often shared of Orji Uzor Kalu, he was once introduced to Babangida by another person. Years later, when Babangida became Nigeria’s Head of State, that relationship became immensely beneficial.
Never despise people because of where they are today.
God has a way of changing stories overnight.
4. *INVEST IN PEOPLE*
“*Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7).*
Life is a seed.
Whatever you sow into people eventually returns.
During my undergraduate days, I once trecked with a course mate after lectures.
On our way, he stopped in a local market and bought shoe-repair materials.
I wondered what he intended to do with them.
He smiled and told me he repaired shoes for a living.
When I later visited his family house, far from school where he lived, I saw the small shoe-repair stand where he worked to support himself through university.
From that day, whenever lecture handouts were sold, I deliberately bought two copies.
As he entered the classroom, I simply handed one to him.
It looked insignificant to me.
However, after graduation, he searched everywhere for me.
When we finally met, he said,
“You were one of the people God used to help me graduate with a First Class.”
That touched my heart deeply.
Today, that same young man is a Professor and now heads the very department from which we both graduated.
Never underestimate small acts of kindness.
Small seeds often produce giant harvests.
*”The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” (Proverbs 11:25).*
5. *ALLOW PEOPLE TO BLESS YOU*
There are certain things you can do for yourself.
But there are many things only people can do for you.
One of them is this:
You cannot surprise yourself.
Others can.
Earlier this year, my Sons and Daughters organised a surprise birthday celebration for me at the Marriott Hotel.
I was deeply moved.
The gifts mattered.
But the love behind them mattered even more.
As I blessed everyone who participated, I realised once again that God often expresses His love through people.
Never isolate yourself from genuine relationships.
6. *BUILD PEOPLE; THEY WILL BUILD YOUR DESTINY*
As you grow older, you will discover that you cannot personally do everything.
This is where your investment in people begins to speak.
One day, your legacy will not only be what you built.
It will also be who you built.
Jonathan invested in David.
Years after Jonathan died, David remembered that covenant.
“*Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1).*
Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, enjoyed blessings because of his father’s kindness.
Kindness has generational rewards.
Many years ago, a close friend where I worked was falsely implicated by his immediate boss in a financial fraud.
The guilty boss even called me and threatened to implicate my friend if he refused to cooperate.
Eventually, my friend was suspended indefinitely.
I made his burden my burden.
I fasted.
I prayed.
I encouraged him constantly.
One day, I risked it all. I took a bold step.
I walked into the office of the Financial Controller—the highest authority in that department—and spoke passionately about my friend’s innocence.
By God’s mercy, he was reinstated.
Today, he is still flourishing in that organisation.
The blessings flowing from that friendship today cannot be quantified.
Never underestimate standing for people when it costs you something.
7. *CHOOSE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WISELY*
*”He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20).*
Not everyone around you is assigned to your destiny.
Some are contributors.
Others are consumers.
As your Prophet, I have experienced both. Most of us have.
Some multiply your life.
Others drain it.
One rotten egg can spoil many others.
Be discerning.
Love everybody.
Trust wisely.
Invest deeply only in relationships that honour God.
8. *PRAY FOR DESTINY HELPERS*
Many people pray only for money.
Pray for people.
Money follows people.
Opportunities follow people.
Favour follows people.
When I was looking for a place to do my Industrial Training, I went to NNPC.
The security personnel stopped me immediately.
One security woman called me aside and sincerely advised me as a Mother:
“Young man, if you don’t know anybody here, nobody will attend to you.”
I left unable to enter beyond the entrance gate.
But instead of complaining, I return home, parked my bag and went to the mountain to pray and fast. As a young boy, I have that confidence that my heavenly father has the capacity to open any door. So I proceeded to the mountain for several days of fasting and prayers for my I.T placement.
While there, another group arrived from Lagos with their pastor.
Unknown to me, that pastor was a senior executive in NNPC.
After hearing my story, he simply said,
“Go back and mention my name.”
He didn’t even give me his complimentary card.
Just his name.
I returned.
The same doors that were closed suddenly opened. His name cause physical vibration across the company.
All men are not the same when it comes to capacity. One David was equivalent of ten thousand men in Isreal according to scripture.
That experience taught me one lesson I have never forgotten:
Prayer connects you to people that qualification alone cannot reach.
You cannot force divine relationships.
If you force them, people may use you.
But when God connects you, doors open effortlessly.
“*My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)*.
Never stop praying for destiny helpers.
One God-sent person can accomplish what years of struggle cannot.
*CONCLUSION*
Beloved Sons and Daughters,
Love people.
Honour people.
Appreciate people.
Pray for people.
Build people.
Invest in people.
Forgive people.
And be discerning with people.
Remember this truth:
God rarely sends blessings directly from heaven. More often than not, He sends them through people.
May the Lord connect you with covenant relationships.
May He surround you with faithful friends.
May He raise destiny helpers for you.
May your life never lack contributors.
May your children reap the rewards of your kindness.
And may your gift continually bring you before great men.
“*A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” (Proverbs 18:16)*.
In Jesus mighty name.
Amen.
I choose to remain in your life as a contributor.
Remain eternally blessed.
*Dr. Governor*
Kings Teem Ministry
bmopportunity@yahoo.com
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