One day, a Minister asked: “Is there anybody in the congregation who wants a prayer said for their shortcomings?” “Yes,” was the answer from a man in the front pew. “I’m a spendthrift. I throw money around like it is growing on trees!” “Very well,” said the Minister. “We will join in prayer for our brother—just as soon as the collection plates have been passed.”
During my many years in ministry, I haven't heard too many sermons on
giving financially to God. Why don’t we preach very much on the
subject? I think we don’t preach on that subject very much because
giving is a sensitive topic.
Why do some Christians bristle at the mention of giving? Maybe it’s because, deep inside, we’re still pretty selfish and would rather spend our money on ourselves.
Maybe it’s because of disagreements with church leaders over how the money is spent. But perhaps our biggest cause for concern over giving is our fear of the future. We’re afraid that if we give too much away, we won’t be able to make ends meet. Whatever the reason’s maybe, it’s time to stop avoiding the subject and honestly seek God’s direction from the Bible on the principles for giving! Giving should be a joy not a burden.
(2 Cor. 9:10-11) “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
1. God promises that if we give to Him, we will be rich in every way. The Bible describes riches as both spiritual and material. Of all the riches we can possess, none of them is more important than spiritual riches. In one aspect, God is saying that we will be rich in spiritual blessings.
2. But God is also saying that if we give to Him, He will bless us financial. Word of caution: If you have the desire to be wealthy so that you can spend these resources on yourself, don’t expect to claim this reward (1 Tim. 6:9, 10). The so-called “health and wealth gospel” teaches that Christians should give to get. But God says we should give to get to give again (2 Cor. 9:11).
A brilliant, young electrical engineer, whose life was in trouble, wrote a letter to the MacArthur Church of Christ telling about his experience.
As you know, I came to this church a very hurting person. I carried burdens that left me completely helpless. I was existing, but no really living. Three years ago I grew gravely ill and lost most of my physical strength and much of my immune system. At my lowest point, I literally crawled across my front lawn to get to my car because I was too weak to walk. I felt that I was dying, and I was morbidly afraid of death and literally terrified of going to hell. I was out of touch with God. I felt if I could just find another doctor surely everything would get better.
Then, in desperation, without asking for anything specific, I cried out to God to help me. “Please God,” I prayed, “Do something to let me know you’re here.” I was ready to do anything. Now I know that God was humbling me so that I would come to trust him more completely.
On my first visit to church, I was astonished! Even though this congregation is very large, I felt comfortable here immediately. I felt a keen sense of the presence of God which I had never felt anywhere else. The minister is an inspired preacher. His sermons are always helpful, but the moment of truth came when he preached a sermon on stewardship and said, “Anyone who does not give back to God at least 10 percent of his income is a thief.” I had never even seriously thought of giving 10 percent and couldn’t imagine how in the world that could possibly fit into my tight budget.
But the word “thief” hit me hard as the truth always does. I now realize that I was so miserable precisely because God was last on my list of priorities rather than first. So I asked God’s forgiveness, and I pledged to give back 10 percent of my income for the rest of my life. This is the most important decision I have ever made.
From that moment, things began to change dramatically for the better. The people who are closest to me have marveled at the changes in my life. Too many positive things have happened to be coincidence. Most obvious, my health greatly improved. Most practical is that, after looking for a job for three years, I found one—the best job I’ve ever had in my life! Most gratifying is the deep feeling of inner peace, which, for the first time in my life, I feel. I feel different on the inside than when I first came to see you, and everybody who knows me says I’m different on the outside, too.
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