“LET US REMOVE IT, IT IS NOT USEFUL”

There was a rod that was on my car some years back. I think it was called ‘the stabilizing rod.’ There would be times I would be driving and would just hear the sound of clanging iron on the coal tar. The rod would give way without notice. I kept buying new ones. 

One day, my mechanic in town told me, “Pastor, there is nothing the rod is doing there. Let’s remove it. I have removed it from other cars also and they are all doing well. It saves you cost”. I agreed gullibly. 

Some months later, I had reason to do some repairs and overhauling of the car out of town. When the mechanic checked the front wheels, he told me there is a missing rod. I narrated the story. He was in shock. He admitted that the rod of the brand was weak but that a stronger one from another brand would have done the job. He showed me how the removal of the rod was gradually affecting some parts of the front wheels. It would have cost more if it took longer to correct. 

If it is cheap in the immediate, be sure and ascertain the ultimate price before you think someone is doing you a favour. 

If someone offers to use a shortcut or scheme or fake results to get you admission to the University and you jump at it, do not forget that the same person can dig out the same proof to bring you down someday when you want to become the governor of your state. Those who drop the standard for you are not doing you a favour, they are setting you up for failure. 

Unfortunately, many are convenient with men who are more emotional about their destinies. Never be comfortable with those who allow you do things as you want rather than do them as they ought. Was there a teacher you hated in secondary school but appreciated years later in your university days? 

David left Adonijah to do things the way he wants. He did not correct him. 

Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.

1 Kings 1:6 NLT

He accumulated the weakness of always having his way. That was his albatross. He went to ask for Abishag. That was his death sentence (1 Kings 2:13-25). David dropped the standard for him. He probably thought he was enjoying but his future was also compromised and mortgaged. His desire for pleasure killed him. 

There is no one who is dropping the standards for you that is helping you. Do not let anyone make you sacrifice the ultimate for the immediate. Deny yourself today. Pay the price for the best today. When things depreciate, you will spend more than the initial cost. I pray it will not be like the price of Adonijah!