Hello excellent ones in whom is all God’s delight!
God is trying to teach us through the Scriptures about THE TREMENDOUS POWER OF GIVING. In both the Old and New Testaments, we can see the results of GENEROUS GIVING and we are taught to GIVE GENEROUSLY and with the right motivation. The world will always come up with reasons why we can’t give, and sometimes we may find ourselves out of our comfort zone when we follow God’s instructions during the offering time. But, the level of our GIVING is an indicator of how much we trust Him.
Ephesians 5:1 says,
- Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.
We must follow God’s example. God is a giver ~ He gave us His Only Son (see John 3:16). Therefore, when we are GIVERS, we reflect His image. Like Him, we should GIVE out of love.
God is a God of increase, but to see that increase, we must be willing to sow abundantly. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 10 says,
- Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under complusion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful, (joyous, “promo to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
GIVING is a form of sowing that allows us to experience increase in our lives. We may not always feel comfortable when we GIVE, but the Scriptures promise we will reap joy if we GIVE regardless of the way we may feel at the moment. Psalm 126:5 says,
- They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.
If we focus too much on things going on in the world, we won’t sow. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says,
- He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
There will always be something competing with our intent to sow and GIVE. When we trust God enough to GIVE the way the Scriptures say, He will cause an increase in our financial storehouses (see Proverbs 3:5-10).
God loves to be trusted in all areas of our lives, including our finances. It’s important that we don’t trust in our own understanding of our present circumstances more than we trust in God. The Scripture tells us in Proverbs 3:6 that we should acknowledge Him in everything we do. We should honor Him, specifically with our income.
When we trust God first, everything will fall into place. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) says,
- See the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Family, I encourage you to seek FIRST the kingdom of God and do it with all your heart. When you serve Him, He will be the One to reward you above and beyond what the world could ever be capable of.
When you GIVE with the right motive, whatever you GIVE will be multiplied and returned back to you in much greater proportions. “Be it unto you according to your faith.”
Thanking God for His Word,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church