FAITH- BASED DONATIONS GUARANTEES A PROSPEROUS FUTURE
John: 4 :35-38 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours."
This scripture once again underscores the uncertainties in the world's economic system. Our prosperity isn't determined by the quarterly economic reports of the world's money market , this scripture highlights a major flaw in the postponing of giving till a later date for the fear of a delay in receiving a harvest for one's investments. This discourages us from investing in missionary work and deprives us of the benefits.
We are blessed whether we give or not just as you are a citizen of your country whether you obey the laws of the land or not. Being on the right side of the law makes it possible to enjoy the benefits of citizenship. The kingdom of God also has laws, and laws designed to regulate human behavior to ensure that there is law and order.
We are no longer under the laws of Moses but are under the law of liberty (James 2:12). It is a law that guarantees freedom and security as long as we abide by its rules and we shall be judged by it. Keeping these ordinances leads to financial ,marital, ministerial and personal security . Through life's crisis, we are reminded that God is the giver of life (luke12:15-20)and he owns everything .The scriptures says Haggai 2: 8 "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts". Only God can guarantee a person's financial and marital future.
A prosperous future is guaranteed by a commitment to pursue a righteous course, integrity of purpose and a contented life. Money is meant for investing . John 4:38 says the disciples of Christ are recipients of the investments made by their predecessors . The scriptures says when Abraham gave tithes, Levi who was yet to be born was a beneficiary of this act of faith (Hebrews 7:9). Our acts of benevolence impacts on the lives of our children's children. The nation of Israel is still reaping the benefits of the investments made by Abraham over three thousand years ago.
History is replete with stories of men who accumulated tremendous wealth but did not invest in the expansion of God’s kingdom and spent their last days on earth in pains . A trail of lost glory follows the history of these men and their offsprings generations later.
Granted, one must not give tithes and offerings in other to accumulate wealth like the fellow in (Luke 12:15-20) and living examples like looters of public funds, false prophets and terrorists . But we must invest in God's kingdom to have a future. Levi was Abraham's future. There's nothing as terrible as accumulating wealth and loosing all in a twinkle of an eye as a result of divine justice, Mk8:36 says "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? " the loss of one's soul is a state of emptiness, insecurity and misery( Rev.3:17). It is for this reason that the world's billionaires give to charity but it isnt sufficient . God commands that money be used to win souls for His Kingdom (John 4:36), this is what gives peace and satisfaction in life.
The new testament church is blessed because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and not because of our righteous acts however , one can be blessed and yet be living below God's standard because of the neglecting of scriptural principles. A lot of Christians live under the overwhelming fear of loss of jobs,businesses, marriages, health, finances not because God has not made provisions but because of the lack of Christian love.Tithing and offerings is a demonstration of Christian love (James 2:15,16,1 John 3:17,18) which is needed to activate faith for a guaranteed future .Fear comes as a result of the lack of faith for the future. The fear of poverty leads to marital, business, Job and ministry bondage (1Tim.6:10). It is the reverential fear of God that eliminates the fear of poverty and the primary purpose of tithing is to instill the reverential fear of God in us (Deut.14:23). When we neglect this very important duty ,we frustrate the work of ministers of the gospel and hinder the spread of the gospel (Phil.2:30) this leads to insecurity in marriages, jobs, finances (Proverbs.11:24b,13.7a) .A nation goes into bitter depression when tithes and offerings are withheld from God's servants (Joel 1:9.13,16). God will not curse a christian for not tithing( Galatians 3:13) but it gives Satan the advantage to intimidate such a person with fear (Romans 13.1-4).
Tithing is an ordinance (a law) in the new testament church ( 1cor.16:1-2) it is to avoid unnecessary fund raising activities which discourages many from church attendance. Tithing was so important to Jesus that He rebuked the priest for their improper ways of tithing (Matt.23:23) Jesus did not put an end to tithing. Paul was careful not to mention the word 'tithe' to avoid being accused of operating by Moses laws. He also made no mention of pornography,cocaine use , kidnapping therefore the logic that says because a thing isn't mentioned in the bible discredits it is like saying we shouldn't use the internet and mobile phones because they aren't mentioned in scriptures.
The giving of tithes and offerings eliminates the fear of losses.A blessed life is that which is devoid of fear. Fear is the outcome of self-preservation which is what the person who does not tithe is trying to achieve and Jesus warned against this in Luke9:24, Prov.11:24. Tithing ( giving a tenth-part of our income to God's work) is an acknowledgement of our love for God , His ownership of our jobs,businesses, finances, marriages and our deliverance from evil therefore, the loss of a job or a business shouldn't bring fear but be seen as an opportunity for something better from God (James1:2-3).
We are to ask the lord to show us who to give our tithes to and in love take this important step or faith ,God receives it through the ordained minster of the gospel (Heb.7:7-8) . as you make Jesus your lord and read this now, receive grace to break the yoke of the fear of poverty in Jesus name.
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