GIVING—THE SURE WAY TO PROSPERITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY DECEMBER 08, 2022.

SUBJECT : GIVING—THE SURE WAY TO PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" (Acts 20 vs 35.) 

READ: Proverbs 11 vs 24. -25:

11:24: There is one who scatters, yet increases more, and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.

11:25: The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

INTIMATION:

The two verses in the passage we read today present a paradox—statement that contradicts itself. We become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible, but here the Scripture says that God blesses those who give freely and generously of their possessions, time, and energy. 

When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize that they were never really ours to begin with, but were entrusted to us by God to be used to serve His purposes, and help others in need. 

Possessions are difficult to come by when you think of yourself as the provider. Possessions reminds you of how hard to work just to get by, and giving it away would only seem to put you further away from the goal of having all your needs met, and the societal approval that you have arrived. All of that would be true if God wasn't your source. In God's economy, you move closer toward your goals by giving than you do by clinging to everything you have. 

Now, let us look at the apostle Paul’s counsel to the believers in Corinth, in his second letter to them; “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as He purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.” (Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 8.)

Many people hesitate to give generously to God and others because they worry about having enough left over to meet their needs. The apostle Paul assured the believers in the Corinthian church that God was able to meet their needs. The person who gives only a little will receives a little in return. But a generous and cheerful giver, God makes all grace abound toward him or her that such person will have abundant resources, making the person sufficient at all times to carry on the good works of generosity. 

And remember that your giving must with the right motives before God. Your giving must not be out of necessity; for instance, giving to get rich. Such motive is not right before God. Also you should not give grudgingly; giving because they said we should give. Kingdom principles for prosperity doesn’t work that way. Your giving must be from a willing and cheerful heart with faith in God. 

The apostle Paul’s prayer for those with the right heart of giving, is also quite revealing, “Now, may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruit of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” (Second Corinthians 9 vs 10 - 11.) 

The apostle Paul has the revelation of the ‘giving’ nature of God, especially as it relates to a generous heart. He knows that God will never allow such God-natured persons to lack anything, but He will ensure uninterrupted supply and multiplication of his or her seed, consequently, enriching the person in everything in order to continue and increase his or her liberal giving in bearing fruit of righteousness. God sees the heart and knows the intent of the heart. 

Therefore, give so that the word of God will manifest in your life; in your generosity with a cheerful and willing heart, you will be made rich and sufficient in all things, so that you will continue in your ‘good works.’ Remember, you can never out-give God! If you are in doubt ask King Solomon.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your thoughts for us is of good, and have given us all that pertains to life and godliness. Endue me with giving spirit that I may utilize the resources You bestowed in my care adequately to serve You and others, thereby making me abundantly sufficient in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!