UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLES OF GIVING (2)

SOW IN A GOOD LAND

TEXT: Exodus 35:29; Luke 6:38

We saw yesterday the necessity and significance of giving to God’s work. If you missed the message, this link would take you there: www.facebook.com/DrBukolaWilliams/posts/532212766889516

It is scriptural to give and to be taught and told to give. Don’t condemn a preacher who teaches about giving to God. Not everyone who preaches this truth is hungry like Paul said (Phil. 4:11). It is however error to put ‘sowing seeds’ above ‘winning souls’. It is unscriptural to force people to give. To engage in manipulative persuasion in order to get people to give to God’s work is injurious to God’s principles of giving.

In scripture, people gave willingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is God’s pattern for giving. God does not accept any offering, giving or sacrifice that is not given willing (Exodus 25:2; 35:5). If they forced you to give and you gave grudgingly or angrily, they accepted it, but God did not accept it, so there is no reward attached.

As we round off on this, here are certain principles which would help your giving;

(1) BE MOTIVATED BY LOVE

Don’t give because you want to receive; give because you love to give and as an expression of love and thanks to God who first gave you what you have. If you give, you will receive. But your primary aim for giving should not be to receive. Your giving should be “love-based” and not “want-based.”

(2) THE FIRST AND BEST GIFT IS YOURSELF

Giving is not just about money. And your life must have been given first to God before He can accept your offering and sacrifice. God is interested in your soul and not your money. Anywhere you find yourself and they talk money more than Heaven, that is a wrong place – flee for your eternity!

(3) SOW IN A GOOD LAND

Not every land is good. There are many gospel-launderers and money preachers around who have coordinated and strategized patterns of extorting money from their members and others. They have turn God to a magician and money doubler (God forbid) who they claim will give you N1 Million for every N100 thousand you sow into their lives and ministries. Some if not many of them are false preachers and if your money enters their lives, it is not a good land – it has neither reward nor record in Heaven.

(4) DON’T WAIT TO BE TOLD; LOOK OUT FOR NEEDS

You don’t remind God it is time for your daily bread, He is committed to it. The same way, you should not wait to be asked for help. Look for needs and meet them.

One of the wrong ways to live is to live for yourself. To live for self is to limit your step. Something should leave your hand to others.

Don’t condemn a preacher who teaches about giving to God. Not everyone who preaches this truth is hungry like Paul said (Phil. 4:11).