Verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.
Is
giving to God a priority in our lives? This is often a sore subject with many,
and some preachers even avoid the subject because of what false teachers and
those who are looking for unrighteous gain have done to the principle of giving
in Christianity. Sadly, I have seen even large local churches struggle
financially because God’s people do not give as they ought, to the work of God.
I will say a couple of things up front in respect to giving. First, no one
should ever have their arm twisted or coerced to give. God does not want us to
give grudgingly, but with a cheerful heart (v. 7). Secondly, this verse of
Scripture does not, I repeat…does not, guarantee that we will be gain earthly
wealth if we give more. That is not the principle being taught here, though I
have heard too many false teachers teach that in order to get people to give to
“their ministries”. They will answer to the Lord some day for being frauds. In
its context, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the local church at Corinth to
give an offering they promised to the poor saints in Judea. He had been
bragging on them a bit in regards to their generosity and now was sending God’s
servants ahead to make sure that they kept their word, and not bring a blemish
to the Name of Christ by falling short of what they vowed to give. In these
verses about giving abundantly and cheerfully, he was reminding them that God
is pleased when we give abundantly out of faith, trusting Him, and doing it
cheerfully. The idea that they will reap bountifully for giving in the same
manner is one that has been misinterpreted by those looking for selfish gain,
but we see from Jesus’ own teaching that our reward for being selfless in our
giving may not always come while here on earth, but instead, when we stand
before Him to get our heavenly rewards. In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus tells the
parable of those that ministered to those here on earth, and were rewarded for
their faithfulness because what they did for the poor, and those in need, they
did unto Him. This is the same principle that applies to our giving when we
give of our monies, time, and talents, to the benefit of others. In verses
10-11, he reminds them that whatever they give to the Lord’s service, God will
take and multiply abundantly. Lest we forget the feeding of the five thousand
men, plus women and children; God took a little (five loaves and two fish) and
fed that multitude, with twelve baskets of fragments remaining (Mt 1:13-21).
Sadly, because of what some alleged ministers of God have done, dishonestly, in
convincing people to give, has caused many Christians to be leery about giving.
I also understand that some also do not give because in their heart of hearts
they do not really trust God to meet their needs if they give of their wealth
to help the cause of Christ or someone in need. The bottom line is that giving
is one of the ultimate tests of our faith, and whether or not we really trust
the Lord. When we give to the local church, a hurting family, a missionary
family, to a homeless person, or any other number of needs, we must give it
cheerfully, realizing that once it leaves our hand it belongs to the local
church or person(s) we gave it to; and it is up to them to use it for what it
was given for. They will then be responsible to give an answer to the Lord if
it is misused, since it all really belongs to Him. If we give it with the
correct motivation, then our reward has been secured, and the Lord can decide
if that reward will manifest here on earth or will be awaiting us on the day we
stand before Him. Sadly, too many Christians are too earthly-minded, looking
for earthly gain, and holding on too tightly to what really belongs to God. We
forget all too quickly that all that we have belongs to Him, and it is by His grace
and goodness that He allows us to possess it. When He blesses us, our mindset
should be that we will be ready at any given time to use the blessing to bless
God and others in whatever manner He calls us to do it. It is okay to enjoy the
things that God gives us, but we turn those blessings into curses when we
become covetous, greedy, and self-centered, neglecting and ignoring the needs
of others and the opportunity to further the Gospel by giving to those who are
doing the work of spreading it in places we are unable or unwilling to go
ourselves. The ultimate reason for giving is stated in verses 12-15…God’s
glory. When we give liberally, and abundantly, we not only show how much we
trust God, but by allowing Him to use it to multiply the supply to ministry and
personal needs, we give opportunity for praise and thanksgiving to be offered
to God. So often we have the mindset that giving is all about us (a pat on the
back or what we will lack) or about the person receiving it (whether we think
they deserve it or not), when it really is all about God and His glory. Instead
of thinking of what is lost by giving, let us consider what is gained (that we
may never see while here on earth).
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