Have you ever seen a child holding the keys to a mansion but unable to enter because they are too young to manage it?

The house belongs to the child, the inheritance is real, and the ownership is settled.

But maturity determines access.

That is the picture painted in Galatians 4:1-2. A child may be the rightful heir, yet remain under guardianship until the appointed time.

In the same way, many believers are praying for doors to open, opportunities to come, and wealth to manifest, while God is calling them into maturity first.

Imagine a father standing proudly at a graduation ceremony. His smile is not just because his child showed up, it is because growth happened.

God feels the same way about His children.

He wants to present us to the world as mature sons and daughters, people who can carry responsibility, withstand pressure, and represent Him well. Not children tossed around by emotions, temptation, or insecurity.

What belongs to you in Christ is already yours. Peace is yours. Purpose is yours. Influence is yours. Wealth is yours.

But maturity positions you to handle it.

In Luke 4:1-12, Jesus entered the wilderness and faced temptation. Hungry, tested, and pressured, He still stood firm.

That is maturity.

According to 1 Corinthians 13:3-7, gifts without love are empty. Talent without love becomes abuse. Success without love becomes pride. Wealth without love becomes destruction.

God does not just want to bless your hands; He wants to heal your heart.

Three things happen as you mature:

Love becomes your identity. The Holy Spirit becomes your love-generator. God’s love purifies your motives and builds your character

This is why some people gain money but lose themselves, while others grow steadily and remain whole. Character sustains what opportunity introduces.

You do not need human validation. What matters most is what God says about you.

He calls you My Beloved Son. My Beloved Daughter.

An excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Bolu Oluyomi, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Watch this sermon here