December 12, 2022
“Honor the LORD with your wealth And with the first fruits of all your crops (income); 10Then your barns will be abundantly filled And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 AMP
An Area that I find most Christians struggling with is the area of giving. While financial wisdom is certainly required in our crazy world today, but who’s wisdom are you following? The world offers many ways increase your wealth temporarily, but only God can show you how to increase your wealth eternally! If we truly trust the One who gave it all for us, then operating in God’s financial plan should not be fearful at all! The Apostle Paul said,
“This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]” 1 Timothy 1:12 AMP
I love those words, Look at the intensity of Paul’s relationship with God! He makes it very clear,
“I know Him,” I am personally aquatinted with Him,” “with absolute trust and confidence,” If you read the Apostle’s story in the book of Acts, you will come to know that those were not just fancy words he used to describe his relationship with God! Paul’s actions and attitudes all stemmed from his personal relationship with Christ! The issue is that it is impossible to experience the faithfulness of God until you actually put your commitment on the line! Then, and only then, can you see the faithfulness of the Master! It is interesting to know that this is the only area that God tells us to challenge Him!
““Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings [you have withheld]. 9You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, this whole nation!10Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. 11Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for your sake, and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field drop its grapes [before harvest],” says the LORD of hosts. 12“All nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight,” says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:8-12 AMP
WOW! Strong words from the Lord! Many wonderers why they are struggling when they don’t operate inside of God’s Lines. I love the verse,
“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” Psalms 16:6 NJKV
When it comes to your giving, have the lines of God’s ways fallen in a pleasant place in your life? The Scripture tells us that God loves a cheerful giver!
“Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. 7Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. 8And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.” 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 AMP
What a great promise from God to never let us down! Let me encourage you to step out f the boat regarding your giving and see if you can really our give God! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken
Amen pastor Ken.
God bless you for this commendable work.
Thank you Jesus 🙏!
When I became a Christian, I tithed out of obligation and my circumstances did not change. When I began giving from the heart and look forward to offering, my circumstances changed