Today’s message
Read and reflect
In God’s Kingdom, Ownership Mentality Can Become Rebellion
THE BRANCH THAT FORGOT THE VINE
One dangerous thing success can do to a person is give the branch the impression that it owns the tree.
Yesterday you were praying, “Lord, please help me.”
Today God has helped you, and suddenly your vocabulary has changed:
“My intelligence.”
“My connections.”
“My strategy.”
“My ministry.”
“My money.”
“My members.”
“My business.”
“My achievement.”
Easy, sir!
Even the oxygen you used to pronounce “my” was supplied by Somebody Else.
Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” He did not say, “I am the vine, and after five years of successful ministry, the branch may register independence.”
A branch does not become the vine because it has produced plenty of fruit.
That is the tragedy of spiritual success without humility: we begin as stewards and gradually start behaving like owners.
GOD NEVER TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP TO YOU
David understood this when he prayed:
“For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” — 1 Chronicles 29:14
What a revelation!
Your money is entrusted wealth.
Your intelligence is entrusted ability.
Your position is entrusted influence.
Your ministry is entrusted responsibility.
Your children are entrusted lives.
Your opportunities are entrusted privileges.
Even your tomorrow is borrowed time.
So what exactly are we boasting about?
Some people receive one spoonful of grace and immediately open a factory for pride.
God gives them a platform, and suddenly nobody can advise them.
God gives them money, and people without money become “lazy people.”
God gives them academic success, and everybody else suddenly appears unintelligent.
God gives them a thriving ministry, and they begin behaving as though the Holy Spirit reports to their office.
Grace has now become personal property!
Beloved, when stewardship begins to feel like ownership, rebellion is already knocking at the door.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR LEARNED IT THE HARD WAY
Nebuchadnezzar looked at Babylon and declared:
“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built... by the might of my power?” — Daniel 4:30
Notice the vocabulary:
I built.
My power.
My majesty.
He forgot the Source.
And heaven quickly reminded him that a man can occupy a palace today and be eating grass tomorrow.
There is nothing wrong with achievement. There is something terribly wrong when achievement makes you forget the God who gave you the ability to achieve.
DON'T LET APPLAUSE CONFUSE YOU
People may clap for the fruit, but never let their applause convince the branch that it manufactured the sap.
They may celebrate your preaching, singing, leadership, intelligence, business success or academic achievement.
Receive appreciation—but return the glory.
Because the same branch everybody admires becomes firewood when disconnected from the vine.
Jesus did not say, “Without me ye can do a little.”
He said:
“Without me ye can do nothing.”
That statement should permanently cure Christian arrogance.
KINGDOM LESSONS
1. You are a steward, not an owner.
Whatever God places in your hands remains subject to His purpose.
2. Fruitfulness is evidence of connection, not self-sufficiency.
A fruitful branch should become more grateful, not more arrogant.
3. Never convert grace into personal greatness.
What grace produced should never become fuel for pride.
4. Success is safest in the hands of the humble.
When God lifts you, remember the days when you were asking Him to carry you.
5. Return the glory to the Source.
Let every testimony ultimately say, “This is the Lord’s doing.” — Psalm 118:23.
THE BRANCH THAT FORGOT THE VINE
One dangerous thing success can do to a person is give the branch the impression that it owns the tree.
Yesterday you were praying, “Lord, please help me.”
Today God has helped you, and suddenly your vocabulary has changed:
“My intelligence.”
“My connections.”
“My strategy.”
“My ministry.”
“My money.”
“My members.”
“My business.”
“My achievement.”
Easy, sir!
Even the oxygen you used to pronounce “my” was supplied by Somebody Else.
Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” He did not say, “I am the vine, and after five years of successful ministry, the branch may register independence.”
A branch does not become the vine because it has produced plenty of fruit.
That is the tragedy of spiritual success without humility: we begin as stewards and gradually start behaving like owners.
GOD NEVER TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP TO YOU
David understood this when he prayed:
“For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” — 1 Chronicles 29:14
What a revelation!
Your money is entrusted wealth.
Your intelligence is entrusted ability.
Your position is entrusted influence.
Your ministry is entrusted responsibility.
Your children are entrusted lives.
Your opportunities are entrusted privileges.
Even your tomorrow is borrowed time.
So what exactly are we boasting about?
Some people receive one spoonful of grace and immediately open a factory for pride.
God gives them a platform, and suddenly nobody can advise them.
God gives them money, and people without money become “lazy people.”
God gives them academic success, and everybody else suddenly appears unintelligent.
God gives them a thriving ministry, and they begin behaving as though the Holy Spirit reports to their office.
Grace has now become personal property!
Beloved, when stewardship begins to feel like ownership, rebellion is already knocking at the door.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR LEARNED IT THE HARD WAY
Nebuchadnezzar looked at Babylon and declared:
“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built... by the might of my power?” — Daniel 4:30
Notice the vocabulary:
I built.
My power.
My majesty.
He forgot the Source.
And heaven quickly reminded him that a man can occupy a palace today and be eating grass tomorrow.
There is nothing wrong with achievement. There is something terribly wrong when achievement makes you forget the God who gave you the ability to achieve.
DON'T LET APPLAUSE CONFUSE YOU
People may clap for the fruit, but never let their applause convince the branch that it manufactured the sap.
They may celebrate your preaching, singing, leadership, intelligence, business success or academic achievement.
Receive appreciation—but return the glory.
Because the same branch everybody admires becomes firewood when disconnected from the vine.
Jesus did not say, “Without me ye can do a little.”
He said:
“Without me ye can do nothing.”
That statement should permanently cure Christian arrogance.
KINGDOM LESSONS
1. You are a steward, not an owner.
Whatever God places in your hands remains subject to His purpose.
2. Fruitfulness is evidence of connection, not self-sufficiency.
A fruitful branch should become more grateful, not more arrogant.
3. Never convert grace into personal greatness.
What grace produced should never become fuel for pride.
4. Success is safest in the hands of the humble.
When God lifts you, remember the days when you were asking Him to carry you.
5. Return the glory to the Source.
Let every testimony ultimately say, “This is the Lord’s doing.” — Psalm 118:23.
Reflection
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You may possess something legally, but spiritually you remain its steward.
The moment the branch says, “I don't need the vine anymore,” it has not discovered independence—it has announced its own dryness.
So enjoy what God gives you. Develop it. Multiply it. Protect it. Use it excellently.
But never worship yourself because God used you.
You are gifted—but you are still a branch.
You are successful—but you are still a branch.
You are influential—but you are still a branch.
You may have become a mighty branch...
but the Vine is still the reason you are alive.
PRAYER
Father, deliver me from the arrogance of ownership. Help me never to mistake Your grace for my greatness. Everything I am and everything I have comes from You. Keep me connected to Christ, humble in success, faithful in stewardship, and conscious of the Source of my fruitfulness. May my life continually return the glory to You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You may possess something legally, but spiritually you remain its steward.
The moment the branch says, “I don't need the vine anymore,” it has not discovered independence—it has announced its own dryness.
So enjoy what God gives you. Develop it. Multiply it. Protect it. Use it excellently.
But never worship yourself because God used you.
You are gifted—but you are still a branch.
You are successful—but you are still a branch.
You are influential—but you are still a branch.
You may have become a mighty branch...
but the Vine is still the reason you are alive.
PRAYER
Father, deliver me from the arrogance of ownership. Help me never to mistake Your grace for my greatness. Everything I am and everything I have comes from You. Keep me connected to Christ, humble in success, faithful in stewardship, and conscious of the Source of my fruitfulness. May my life continually return the glory to You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer
DECLARATION
I am a steward, not the Source.
I am a branch, not the Vine.
I will develop what God entrusts to me without taking His glory.
I will remain connected, humble and fruitful.
What grace gives me, pride will not take away from me!
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC Ibudo Ona Abayọ
cacsolutioncenter@outloook.com
I am a steward, not the Source.
I am a branch, not the Vine.
I will develop what God entrusts to me without taking His glory.
I will remain connected, humble and fruitful.
What grace gives me, pride will not take away from me!
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC Ibudo Ona Abayọ
cacsolutioncenter@outloook.com