When I first got “saved” I was happy to get the “free gift” provided by Jesus Christ. His forgiveness and a new life through His powerful mighty Blood!
But when it came to giving? I was like, “forget it!” Don’t touch my wallet!
Now, I am NOT here to tell you five stories about how I gave and it came back “mega bucks!” Nope, that is not the reason I am writing this.
My purpose is to share what I feel is the “truth about giving” and pass it on.
Certainly, I expect you to search the scriptures yourself, (the problem today is that most people don’t, they just take some one else’s word rather then God’s Word.) oops!
Okay, first of all. Even in the “world” in my most miserable state, I knew that giving had a way of coming back to you. Kind of like the law of gravity. What you throw up has to come down. Seemed it worked (kind of) the same way.
However, when I was “saved” I had fallen so madly in love with Jesus Christ (considering He died in my place and took the nails I deserved) that I would have given Him; anything, without hesitation. I mean anything!
So I started to listen to the law of giving as it was preached, eager to learn all there was to know about the KINGDOM OF GOD and its principles.
Finally, I tried it. I gave when common sense said, “I shouldn’t,” and my wallet said “I couldn’t.” And sure enough it came back, usually in a super natural way.
Now stay with me here……….and by the way, at the end of this message, I am not taking up an offering. Honest!
Anyway, I started checking this “seed stuff” out. I found out that the WORD of God is the seed, Jesus said that. He never called “money” seed.
But I got the point when it was taught that money was like “planting” seed.
However, it didn’t really do much in the way of “convincing” me to give.
But the “seed” teaching seemed to be influential and so I thought, “why not?”
So I began to “plant seed” everywhere I heard the teaching. I planted for blessings, health, salvation of loved ones, prosperity, a new job, a new watch, a new car, etc, etc, etc…..
I wasn’t picky what type of ground my “seed” was planted into, just get it there and get the “blessing,” and of course, the 100 fold return.
Got to tell you, some of my “seed” produced, (and that is to be expected.) But a lot of it didn’t.
I began to ask God, what am I doing wrong? What was I missing?
I feel like God began to show me something…. I was planting in the wrong ground with the wrong heart!
I was moved by need, desperation and influence, rather then a “cheerful” heart, and truly seeking the Holy Spirit on where to give
People, giving isn’t “rocket science!”
We are suppose to give to the Lords work because we love Him and want the world to know how wonderful Jesus is.
Listen, The gospel of Jesus Christ is free, but it takes money to get it out!
But if we give because we have been, manipulated, emotionally moved or even threatened that God will curse us? Then something is very wrong!
We give because we love Jesus, with all our hearts; we aren’t bargaining with Him at a wholesale house!
When you love “HIM” with all your heart, you want to see your gift to HIM produce, food for starving people, the gospel to reach all nations, the church to be equipped with the five fold ministries, outreaches, missions, aid to hurting and broken lives and so on.
If we are giving because we think we are playing some sort of “lotto” and God can be “bingo-ed” we are sadly mistaken. Giving is to meet the needs of the church and for our “benefit” when we give as The Holy Spirit leads.
I learned in my giving to find out if “my seed,” is being planted out in the fields of “lost souls” and human needs!
Because if my seed is going into that kind of soil? It will indeed produce. I don’t want my seed to rot in ground that is not nourished by the planter.
Precious saint, giving is part of being a loving and caring Christian.
Giving DOES have a law attached to it, “give and it will be given to you……” but I strongly encourage you to be sure that the place you entrust your “seed” is making sure that “your seed” is being planted in ground that God is honoring.
When you give with a pure heart and open hands for HIS GLORY you can’t go wrong!
I assure you; if you have a pure heart and give to the gospel because you love Christ… you will be blessed and satisfied in your spirit.
God loves you; He will guide you and instruct you, if you seek Him, FOR YOURSELF! YOU are capable of hearing His voice.
I have since experienced a “new way” in my giving.
I pray this way…
“Lord, I love you, because while I was yet a sinner, you died for me and accepted me as I was. You cleaned me up and made my life worth living.
So I give to the work of the kingdom of God, cheerfully, and yes, carefully… seeking You my Lord, to know where you would have me “plant my seed.”
And because I give with a pure heart of love and blessing your work with gladness, my needs will be met, by your “riches in glory in Christ Jesus… Amen!
Tightly in His grip,
Carol
