Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Reverend James Olusola Odedeji has urged the newly inducted executive officers of the Guild of Stewards of the Diocese to offer services that are acceptable to God.

Reminding the 23 new officers that God’s standard is high, Odedeji said: “While some people’s services are acceptable, others are not because God has choices and standards of service to accept.”

Delivering his sermon at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, Lagos, last Sunday, during the investiture of the President, Sister Felicia Abosede Oyeleke and other executive officers of the Guild of Stewards, Odedeji cited the example of Cain and Abel, saying Cain offered something to God and God rejected it.

He noted that God will accept anybody’s service if He is pleased with the person rendering the service, adding that acceptability has to do with the lifestyle of an individual.

He said: “Everybody has the opportunity to serve, but not everyone uses the opportunity well. We all have our different talents, although the talents do not always matter, what rather matters is how we are able to use our talents to serve God and lead a life that pleases God.

“God will not ask from you what He has not given to you. Whatever God has freely deposited into your life would He require of in the last day. The man who got one talent according to the parable of the talent as read in the Bible was filled with jealousy. He refused to render service with his one talent. At the end of the day, he forfeited his portion.”

Enumerating the qualities of acceptable services before God, Odedeji said: “For God to accept your service you must be dedicated to Him and serve joyfully. You don’t serve God with grudges; you must be excited and also serve Him willingly and heartily. You must be willing to give your all and work with the whole of your heart in whatever you do for Him. Your service must not have any ulterior motives.”

Observing some exponential growth in the group since Sister Oyeleke became its president, Odedeji noted that Oyeleke is a hardworking woman, whose priority is to serve God.

Oyeleke, who will lead the Guild for another two years, is the first woman in the diocese to do so.

Unveiling her programmes, she said she will work to consolidate on the gains of the previous year, adding that their focus will be to render more service and to strengthen co-operation with the priests in various churches to make every service a beautiful experience for parishioners.

About 400 stewards from over 300 churches in the diocese witnessed the ceremony.