God's Finances
Serving God with our finances / the law of sowing and reaping
1. It is a dying moment for us when we give our money away, for in so doing, we are giving part of our lives, ourselves, away. We worked hard for that money! After our bills are all paid, we have barely enough left over to spend just a little on ourselves. Perhaps we would like to buy some new clothes or go out to a restaurant. Wouldn't that be fine? But God asks us to give some of our money to Him! It is hard for us sometimes, but if we understood God's finances we would gladly give as much as we could. Giving is one of the surest signs of whether we really love the Lord or not. Are our lives really laid down in service to Him?
Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him will My father honor. John 12:24-26
Let us serve God with our finances.
2. There is a principle of sowing and reaping.
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8
3. The law of sowing and reaping is God's financial principle for the supply of all Christians.
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 thing, may have an abundance for every good work. II Corinthians 9:6-8
4. Any farmer knows that if you put a few seeds in the ground you will get a small harvest. But if you plant lots of seeds, you will get a big harvest. This is very simple arithmetic. God says this is the same kind of math that applies to our Christian giving. And it's true!
5. One time, when I was poor; I got tired of being poor. I said to myself, "I think I'll give all the money I have left to such and so evangelism ministry. I'll give the widow's mite - and God will reward me accordingly. I gave my last $12 and within an hour God had returned to me $120. Several hours later I came to my senses and said to myself, "If this is how it works, I'll give some more." So I gave what I had. After I had given it, I felt relieved. I had done it! As I was worshipping God and standing in His presence, I held up my hands, palms up, in surrender and praise. Then I saw a great Niagara Falls of gold coins pouring down from heaven upon the palms of my hands. Within a year I had received a grant totaling more than $120,000 for Native American ministry! Don't tell me it doesn't work.
But this I say: He who wows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
6. God said...
...try Me now in this, ...If I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10
note: It is a common practice for primitive farmers to hold back 1/10th of their harvest for planting the next year. God took this principle and applied it to Christian giving. Tithing was an Old Testament principle necessary for the upkeep of the temple and the Levitical priesthood. It's still a good principle. The New Testament principle is to cheerfully give whatever God tells you to give. Few people are obedient in this way however. I know that God often speaks to people, and they do not give what He has spoken. Thus they rob God, and cheat themselves. The Christian life is a Spirit led life. It is not a legalistic formula. Yet some people cannot hear from God, and are not obedient to Him when they do hear. So tithing is still a good guideline for the upkeep of the ministry of your church.
note: You offerings are what you give over and above your tithe. You can give your offerings to any ministry you want.
7. But God's New Testament principle is the principle of sowing and reaping. We should look at Christian giving in that light. God said so.
But this I say: He who wows 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 an abundance for every good work. II Corinthians 9:6-8
8. Ask any farmer and he will tell you; "If you plant in good ground, you will get a better harvest." Our Christian giving should be sowing to a harvest. Any ministry that is winning people to Christ, and bringing people to maturity in Christ, is a good ministry. That's good ground. Sow your money into that soil.
9. Once in a while there is such a thing as a thousand fold return. No farmer knows how much crop he will reap when he plants a field. We do know this. One kernel of corn can grow into a stalk yielding two ears of corn. Count the number of kernels on those two ears and you will see that you have gained more than a thousand fold return.
10. Every Christian business man (and every Christian household) should know (and practice) these financial principles.
For we know Him who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35b