EATER OR SOWER?

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023.

SUBJECT: EATER OR SOWER?

Memory verse: "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (Second Corinthians 9 vs 10.)

READ: Proverbs 11 vs 24 - 25; Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 7:

Proverbs 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.

Second Corinthians 9:6: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

9:7: So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9:9: As it is written, “He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.

INTIMATION:

There two dominant heart conditions when it comes to money: eaters and sowers. Eaters are the ones who are all about getting their own needs met; they are seeking to establish their own kingdom. They use their resources to buy everything they want, and they only give when there is something left over. 

Sowers, on the other hand, are all about putting other people first. Sowers need to eat too, so it's not like they can't buy things for themselves, but their hearts' desire is to give and seek God's kingdom first. Sowers are people God is searching the world to find.

When we understand financial blessings properly, we realize that prosperity isn't about us. It's about being able to bless other people. If you don't currently have that attitude, once you get it, you'll experience the reality that God gives seed to the sower. Selfishness short-circuits prosperity because it causes us to consume all of our resources. It turns us into a vacuum cleaner that sucks up everything in sight. We ought to be just the opposite. Christians should be like leaf blowers: giving money left and right. We should be imitating God by searching for opportunities to give, and asking Him to show us how we can be a blessing.

The passages we read today present the paradox I have been hammering on. They explain clearly prosperity viewed in God's way; that we become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible. But God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time and energy. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal toward Him." (Second Chronicles 16 vs 9.) 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 they were never really ours to begin with, but they were given to us by God to be used to help others. What do we gain by giving? Five major things; Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, God's approval, the grace of God for our sufficiency in all things, and it is imputed to us as righteousness.

The Scripture in Proverbs 3 vs 9 - 10, says, "Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." The firstfruits refers to the practice of giving to God's use the first and best portion of your harvest (Deuteronomy 26 vs 9 - 11). Many people give God their leftovers. If they can afford to donate anything, they do so. These people may be sincere and contribute willingly, but their attitude is nonetheless backward. 

It is better to give God the first part of our income. We do this by ensuring that before you spend out of the income, you first of all pay your tithes and give out whatever yo desire in your heart to give God, and help others in need. This demonstrates that God, not possessions, has first place in our lives and that our resources belong to Him—we are only managers of God's resources. Giving to God first helps us conquer greed, helps us properly manage God's resources, and opens us to receive God's special blessings.

God knows you have needs, and He wants you to be taken care of. Remember, He doesn't mind if you live in a nice house and drive an nice car, as long as you aren't consuming all of your finances on yourself. When you get the attitude of a giver and walk it out over time, God will increase your finances. If God finds you trustworthy on the use of finances, that He can get money through you, He'll get it to you, and it won't be long before you have plenty left over for yourself.

Yes the life of adequate giving is very hard to live. People may hesitate to give generously to God if they worry about having enough left over to meet their own needs. Paul assured the Corinthians that God was able to meet their needs. A person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return. (Luke 6 vs 38.) Our attitude when we give is more important than the amount we give. We don't have to be embarrassed if we can give only a small gift. God is concerned about how we give from our resources. (See Mark 12 vs 41 - 44.)

Another thing to keep in mind is that prosperity doesn't happen overnight. You don't go from being selfish to becoming a generous millionaire instantly for a couple of reasons. First, there is a time between planting seed and harvesting. Fruit doesn't show up the next day. Second, money has power, and you might not be able to handle the power of prosperity right away. If you are a “ sower,” be patient with God, He will definitely come through to you. Though it might tarry, wait for it, for it must surely come to pass. (See Habakuk 2 vs 3.) 

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours; the earth and its fullness. Thank You, O Lord, for all the talents, abilities, and resources You bestowed on me. Give me the grace to be a sower of the things You have freely given to me, that I may earn Your approval, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!