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| The Grace of Giving |
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2008 |
As we continue our study, we want to consider the spiritual key to the only
kind of giving that is truly acceptable to G-d. II Cor. 8:7 says "But just as you
excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete
earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of
giving." Grace is internal. It works from within us. It is written on our hearts
by the Holy Spirit. It came through Yeshua. From the cross grace has been
released. Grace is received only through faith. Faith also means we act.
Faith without action is dead. What do we do? We give. We give before we
have received. The carnal mind says, "I can't afford to give." Faith says,
you can't afford not to give, because that is the key to receiving. Luke 6:38.
What happens first? We give. We give to G-d, and G-d causes men to give
back to us. That is G-d's control over the situation. Let's look at the second
principal. "Whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in
return. If you want to receive generously, then you have to give generously.
You can take the initiative by giving, then you can set the proportion that you
wish to receive. What you determine to give determines the proportion that
you receive.
2 Cor. 8 & 9 are about finances. Let's look at 8:2-5. The important
sentence here is they gave themselves first to the L-rd. That is how it must
begin with each of us. You must begin with yourself. You cannot buy a good
relationship with G-d. G-d doesn't need your money, it is for your benefit that
G-d requires you to give, but He has an order. He wants your first. Rom.
12:1-2 we see the same principle. The key to finding G-d's will is to offer
yourself as a living sacrifice. That means making yourself totally and
unreservedly available to G-d for His service. When you do that your mind is
renewed by the Holy Spirit, and you begin to think differently. Your mind will
begin to grasp the fullness of G-d's provision and plan for you. Once we
have given ourselves to G-d, the giving of our own money or gifts and talents
completes and establishes our righteousness. Let us look at Psalm 112:1,
3-6, 9. The theme of this Psalm is the right handling of our finances
establishes us forever in the righteousness of G-d. The way we handle our
money is very decisive. Matt. 6:19-21 insures that G-d will provide for us in
this world. But the ultimate truth is that we are laying up treasures in heaven
in proportion to what we give on earth.
In 2 Cor. 8:8 Paul speaks of wanting to see if the Corinthian Christians love
is sincere or weather it was just talk. He compared their giving to the
Marcedonians who gave with amazing generosity out of their poverty.
Giving to G-d does not have to be done in secret. He told the Corinthians to
do it in front of everybody. They were to let everyone see their commitment
to the L-rd. Our giving proves our love for G-d as well as for our fellow
believers. I John 3:16-18 laying down our lives for our brothers includes
helping them with our material resources if they are in need and we are in a
position to help. "Put your money where your mouth is." Don't just love with
words and in tongue, but with actions and in truth. G-d loves a cheerful
giver. Giving is the supernatural grace of the Holy Spirit, it calls down favor
and it releases us from the slavery to mammon.
II Cor. 9:6-7 uses agriculture to get the principal of reaping and sowing
across. The original investment of seed sown determines the amount that is
harvested on reaped. A person gives five dollars. The proportion of
increase is ten. What is he going to receive back $50.00? If he gives
$50.00 he is going to get back $500.00. Almost everyone can understand
the principal in agriculture, but few people understand it in the finances of
the Kingdom of G-d. In order to obtain increase certain basic rules must be
followed: 1.) The farmer must choose good, suitable soil and the right kind
of crop for the right kind of soil. 2.) He must make proper preparation of the
soil. 3.) He must take proper care of the crop as it grows. If he does not
meet these conditions, he will not receive the increase that he ought to
receive. What are the things we should look at when we consider giving to a
church or organization? Let's ask four questions: 1.) is the ministry
anointed and fruitful? Is it bringing forth real fruit for the kingdom of G-d? 2.)
Is it ethical? Is it ethical in the way it handles money? Is it a good and
faithful steward of the money in G-d's kingdom? 3.) Is it aligned with
Scripture? Is what it is doing in obedience to Scriptural principals? 4.) Are
the leaders prayerful, industrious and efficient? The Bible makes it very
clear that G-d hates sloppiness, waste, and extravagance. When people of
this world invest their money they like to get good advice from someone who
is proficient in investments. G-d's children should be equally careful. 1.) Be
prayerful. Never give except after prayer. 2.) Avoid impulsive, emotional
giving. 3.) Maintain contact with whatever individual or organization you are
supporting. Get reports, find out what's happening. Check on the fruit. 4.)
Stay within the proportion of your faith. Allow G-d to increase your faith in a
natural way. There are 4 results of wise sowing of your money II Cor. 9:10.
1.) Bread for you to eat. You will get back all you need for your own life. 2.)
You will get more seed to sow in G-d's harvest field. If you've been sowing
$10.00, you'll find you can move up to $50.00. 3.) You will get increased
store for sowing. You will have more to give. 4.) You will get an increased
harvest from increased sowing.
Let's review what we have learned: The key to right giving is grace through
Yeshua and received only by faith. Second, we must first give ourselves.
We cannot buy G-d's favor. He requires that we first surrender ourselves to
Him before our gifts can become acceptable. Third, giving completes and
establishes our righteousness. Fourth, giving is a proof of the sincerity of
our love of G-d and fellow believers. Fifth, giving calls down G-d's favor and
love upon us. Sixth, giving is sowing in G-d's harvest field. Finally we need
to see that the level of G-d's provision for His people is abundance. A thing
has no abundance until it overflows. What does this mean? You need
$50.00 worth of groceries, but you have only $40.00. So when you go to the
store you are shopping out of insufficiency. If you have $50.00 and you need
$50.00 worth of groceries you are shopping out of sufficiency. You have
just enough. But if you need $50.00 of groceries and you have $60.00 you
are shopping out of abundance. You have more than enough, there is
overflow. G-d's provision is a provision of abundance. Why does G-d want
His children to have abundance? Receiving has a blessing, but giving has a
greater blessing. G-d doesn't want us limited to the blessing of receiving
but wants us in a position to enjoy the greater blessing of giving. If you are
not willing to act in faith, you will not set in motion the processes that will
bring G-d's prosperity and G-d's abundance into your life. Keep in mind that
a time interval between sowing and reaping also occurs. The farmer
doesn't sow one day and reap the next. We must wait for G-d's appointed
time for the harvest. If we become impatient, lose our faith or turn away from
G-d's principals then G-d does not guarantee the harvest. We must live and
act in faith in every area of our lives, including our money.
kind of giving that is truly acceptable to G-d. II Cor. 8:7 says "But just as you
excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete
earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of
giving." Grace is internal. It works from within us. It is written on our hearts
by the Holy Spirit. It came through Yeshua. From the cross grace has been
released. Grace is received only through faith. Faith also means we act.
Faith without action is dead. What do we do? We give. We give before we
have received. The carnal mind says, "I can't afford to give." Faith says,
you can't afford not to give, because that is the key to receiving. Luke 6:38.
What happens first? We give. We give to G-d, and G-d causes men to give
back to us. That is G-d's control over the situation. Let's look at the second
principal. "Whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in
return. If you want to receive generously, then you have to give generously.
You can take the initiative by giving, then you can set the proportion that you
wish to receive. What you determine to give determines the proportion that
you receive.
2 Cor. 8 & 9 are about finances. Let's look at 8:2-5. The important
sentence here is they gave themselves first to the L-rd. That is how it must
begin with each of us. You must begin with yourself. You cannot buy a good
relationship with G-d. G-d doesn't need your money, it is for your benefit that
G-d requires you to give, but He has an order. He wants your first. Rom.
12:1-2 we see the same principle. The key to finding G-d's will is to offer
yourself as a living sacrifice. That means making yourself totally and
unreservedly available to G-d for His service. When you do that your mind is
renewed by the Holy Spirit, and you begin to think differently. Your mind will
begin to grasp the fullness of G-d's provision and plan for you. Once we
have given ourselves to G-d, the giving of our own money or gifts and talents
completes and establishes our righteousness. Let us look at Psalm 112:1,
3-6, 9. The theme of this Psalm is the right handling of our finances
establishes us forever in the righteousness of G-d. The way we handle our
money is very decisive. Matt. 6:19-21 insures that G-d will provide for us in
this world. But the ultimate truth is that we are laying up treasures in heaven
in proportion to what we give on earth.
In 2 Cor. 8:8 Paul speaks of wanting to see if the Corinthian Christians love
is sincere or weather it was just talk. He compared their giving to the
Marcedonians who gave with amazing generosity out of their poverty.
Giving to G-d does not have to be done in secret. He told the Corinthians to
do it in front of everybody. They were to let everyone see their commitment
to the L-rd. Our giving proves our love for G-d as well as for our fellow
believers. I John 3:16-18 laying down our lives for our brothers includes
helping them with our material resources if they are in need and we are in a
position to help. "Put your money where your mouth is." Don't just love with
words and in tongue, but with actions and in truth. G-d loves a cheerful
giver. Giving is the supernatural grace of the Holy Spirit, it calls down favor
and it releases us from the slavery to mammon.
II Cor. 9:6-7 uses agriculture to get the principal of reaping and sowing
across. The original investment of seed sown determines the amount that is
harvested on reaped. A person gives five dollars. The proportion of
increase is ten. What is he going to receive back $50.00? If he gives
$50.00 he is going to get back $500.00. Almost everyone can understand
the principal in agriculture, but few people understand it in the finances of
the Kingdom of G-d. In order to obtain increase certain basic rules must be
followed: 1.) The farmer must choose good, suitable soil and the right kind
of crop for the right kind of soil. 2.) He must make proper preparation of the
soil. 3.) He must take proper care of the crop as it grows. If he does not
meet these conditions, he will not receive the increase that he ought to
receive. What are the things we should look at when we consider giving to a
church or organization? Let's ask four questions: 1.) is the ministry
anointed and fruitful? Is it bringing forth real fruit for the kingdom of G-d? 2.)
Is it ethical? Is it ethical in the way it handles money? Is it a good and
faithful steward of the money in G-d's kingdom? 3.) Is it aligned with
Scripture? Is what it is doing in obedience to Scriptural principals? 4.) Are
the leaders prayerful, industrious and efficient? The Bible makes it very
clear that G-d hates sloppiness, waste, and extravagance. When people of
this world invest their money they like to get good advice from someone who
is proficient in investments. G-d's children should be equally careful. 1.) Be
prayerful. Never give except after prayer. 2.) Avoid impulsive, emotional
giving. 3.) Maintain contact with whatever individual or organization you are
supporting. Get reports, find out what's happening. Check on the fruit. 4.)
Stay within the proportion of your faith. Allow G-d to increase your faith in a
natural way. There are 4 results of wise sowing of your money II Cor. 9:10.
1.) Bread for you to eat. You will get back all you need for your own life. 2.)
You will get more seed to sow in G-d's harvest field. If you've been sowing
$10.00, you'll find you can move up to $50.00. 3.) You will get increased
store for sowing. You will have more to give. 4.) You will get an increased
harvest from increased sowing.
Let's review what we have learned: The key to right giving is grace through
Yeshua and received only by faith. Second, we must first give ourselves.
We cannot buy G-d's favor. He requires that we first surrender ourselves to
Him before our gifts can become acceptable. Third, giving completes and
establishes our righteousness. Fourth, giving is a proof of the sincerity of
our love of G-d and fellow believers. Fifth, giving calls down G-d's favor and
love upon us. Sixth, giving is sowing in G-d's harvest field. Finally we need
to see that the level of G-d's provision for His people is abundance. A thing
has no abundance until it overflows. What does this mean? You need
$50.00 worth of groceries, but you have only $40.00. So when you go to the
store you are shopping out of insufficiency. If you have $50.00 and you need
$50.00 worth of groceries you are shopping out of sufficiency. You have
just enough. But if you need $50.00 of groceries and you have $60.00 you
are shopping out of abundance. You have more than enough, there is
overflow. G-d's provision is a provision of abundance. Why does G-d want
His children to have abundance? Receiving has a blessing, but giving has a
greater blessing. G-d doesn't want us limited to the blessing of receiving
but wants us in a position to enjoy the greater blessing of giving. If you are
not willing to act in faith, you will not set in motion the processes that will
bring G-d's prosperity and G-d's abundance into your life. Keep in mind that
a time interval between sowing and reaping also occurs. The farmer
doesn't sow one day and reap the next. We must wait for G-d's appointed
time for the harvest. If we become impatient, lose our faith or turn away from
G-d's principals then G-d does not guarantee the harvest. We must live and
act in faith in every area of our lives, including our money.
