In Luke chapter 6 Jesus spoke:
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Over the last 45 years of seeking FATHER I have found that one of the greatest challenges among believers is their willingness to give. The “love of money” or greed is root of all evil and greed encompasses more than just money but also includes power, stature, possessions, and the desire to be the center of attention. You can generally classify these people as “takers”, not “givers”.
I have heard so many excuses not to give but I can assure you there is one reason to give… FATHER instructed you to do so even if it seems inconvenient. As we mature in Christ, “things” become less important and we look back and ask ourselves “Why did I buy that item in the first place?” How much of what we purchase collects dust after one or two uses? At the same time The Gospel requires resources and commitment that seem more difficult to obtain. It is all about priorities. If we truly press in to hear FATHER we can expect HIM to direct us to give.
Jesus warned us not to judge or condemn others just before He directed us to give. Why? Our minds can find more reasons to withhold our giving than one can imagine. People tend to think everyone else but their family can survive on virtually “zero” when it comes to giving. They have no idea of the dynamics involved when FATHER is directing a person or ministry to expand their outreach thus requiring additional funds. Who does FATHER use when that situation arises? Only willing vessels, even a fish with a coin in its mouth. FATHER will ultimately get HIS Plan funded with or without us. Jesus gives us the “law” of giving which is a blessing to those who walk in such a law.
As you give it will be given to you according to the measure you give. If you are generous then generosity will come you way. If you give sparingly then you will receive sparingly.
“For FATHER so Loved the world” HE gave HIS Son, the ultimate act of giving. FATHER abides by HIS own law of giving yet many try to reason away with their logic why they should not give. Thankfully FATHER did not withhold HIS giving or we would be sentenced to death.
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy chapter 6 by THE SPIRIT:
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Do we have the mindset to be continual givers or are we “occasional” (or conditional) givers as the surplus arrives? In some of the most difficult times I have had, FATHER would direct me to give even though my mind tried to talk me out of it by rationalizing why I was in no position to give. FATHER requires us to walk in faith when it comes to giving and Jesus gave the law of giving above with the expectation we would operate in faith. This law is akin to sowing and reaping The Word, it is the same principle.
Giving with the proper intent activates resources to come our way and bless us. If you simply “give to get” then you are missing the point. If you give out of Love for the recipient then you have the right heart and open yourself up to FATHER opening the windows of Heaven on your behalf. FATHER has not changed since the following passage was written in Deuteronomy chapter 28:
1 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
7 “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”
FATHER’S commandment of Love sums up the entire Law and those of us who embrace Love and giving will be overtaken by HIS blessings! HIS desires for us exceed our limited expectations.