The Senior Pastor of Solemn Faith International Church, Pastor Matthew Ele-Ojo James, has declared that when a person’s hand is not empty before God, his life cannot be empty before men.
He made this profound statement during Sunday’s service held at the church auditorium located at Road 21, Plot 14, Federal Housing Estate, Woji, Port Harcourt.
The sermon, titled “ Keys to Accessing and Sustaining the Blessings – Part 2 drew inspiration from Genesis 12:2-3 and Acts 20:35.
Preaching with deep insight, Pastor Matthew emphasized that giving remains one of the greatest keys to accessing divine blessings. According to him, “Giving is living, and it is the pathway to the top in the kingdom of God.”
He explained that all-round giving leads to all-round blessings, adding that “it takes your offering to escape your suffering.”
Citing several scriptures, including Genesis 22:1–7, John 3:16, and Luke 6:38, he described giving as a divine principle that guarantees multiplication and prosperity when practiced in obedience and love.
He noted that offerings are freewill acts of worship and expressions of love toward God, referencing Exodus 35:5 and Leviticus 22:18–21 to support his point.
Pastor Matthew further spoke extensively on seed sowing, referencing Genesis 8:22 and Isaiah 58:10–11. He taught that God gives seeds to be sown, and not consumed, emphasizing that seeds are commanded and instructed by God. “Every seed must cost you something,” he said, quoting 2 Samuel 24:23–24 to highlight the importance of sacrificial giving.
The cleric outlined key principles that ensure fruitful harvests, noting that the right seed, sown at the right time and in the right place, produces lasting results.
He stressed the need for believers to obey God promptly, trust the process of time, and maintain joy and gratitude even before the manifestation of their harvest. “Be praiseful, be cheerful, and be joyful,” he urged, citing Romans 4:19–20 and 2 Corinthians 9:7–8.
He warned against murmuring and complaining, reminding the congregation of the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness as recorded in Numbers 14:27. According to him, “Until God diagnoses and extracts you, He may not recommend you for His blessings.”
Pastor Matthew also revealed that in God’s economy, blessings are tied to obedience and the heart of giving.
He explained that what God often has in mind before releasing His blessings is one’s offering, as seen in Genesis 13:14–16.
He concluded by reminding worshippers that harvests differ in categories based on what is sown, where it is sown, and how it is sown, drawing from Matthew 13:8, 23 and Mark 4:8, 20.
The service featured inspiring ministrations from the Solemn Voice Choir and several mind-blowing testimonies that reaffirmed the theme of the message that giving indeed opens the door to divine abundance and sustains the blessings of God.
Pastor Matthew’s central message resounded clearly: “When your hand is not empty before God, your life cannot be empty before men.”
