19 October 2008
The Secret Weapon
October/20/2008 09:31 AM
“Give, and it shall be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
This verse holds the key for blessing and increase. God has established a system that is based on giving. His system always works because His word always works! He promised that if we’ll be givers, He will pour blessings right back into our lives. When we do our part, He will do His part.
God’s system works no matter if the economy is in good shape or if it’s failing. I am so glad that I don’t have to put all my trust in the government or the banks or any other establishment of man.
Give and it shall be given sounds like foolishness to the world. The world’s system is not centered on a love for God or His word; it’s centered around the love of money. Its goal is to satisfy man’s flesh and it’s desire for more and more. Jesus hit the nail on the head as he spoke to religious leaders in Luke 16:13-15.
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts! What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
Isn’t that interesting how Jesus pointed out that the things they valued so highly were of no value to God? They were supposed to be men of God and examples. They fell into the snare of the enemy as many still do today.
The love of money is a trap set by the enemy. He knows that there’s not enough room in a man’s heart for God and Money. He knows man’s heart can never get satisfaction and peace through material things. So many are caught up in the deception that, “If I can only attain this certain salary or buy this kind of house or car; then I will be so happy.” It is a vain pursuit that leaves man with emptiness still.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “Whoever loves money never has money enough. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.”
Sadly, even Christians can get caught up in this trap. They begin reasoning why they can’t afford to give when the Holy Spirit prompts. They even stop tithing regularly because they don’t feel they can afford it. The truth is that we can’t afford not too!
Proverbs 11:24: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
Our Father wants us to be blessed with everything we need. He also enjoys giving us the desires of our heart. We just have to learn to operate in God’s system by being a giver. When giving becomes our lifestyle, and our love is for God, then it even feels good to give! When He leads us, we don’t hesitate in fear of lack because we know that He always replaces it and then some. The old saying is true: ‘You can’t out-give God!’ We have the promise of being a vessel that God can flow through financially, and we will never lack any good thing. Giving is our secret weapon, and that’s something you can take to the bank!
Proverbs 11:25 : “A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
kimconnor@whwc.org
|