Often times we get so excited to serve God but couldn't give in to trust Him to provide the resources we need. If you have a burden to help the poor, the scripture we are going to study today will show you God's plan to serve the needy, and how He will provide the resources to fulfill that ministry while He provides your daily needs.
God promises to provide for all our ministries if we follow HIS PLAN, and if that ministry is his purpose for you. If you are obedient and give with a cheerful heart, God will provide all your needs plus enough to replace what you have given others. And He will provide enough "over your needs" to give to the needy.
However, if you give but did not give according to scripture (which would be disobedient), even though you gave cheerfully, God may not replace what you gave to the needy, or provide the extra that you need to fulfill your desire to help the poor. God insist that we follow His laws according to scripture, if we expect to receive His blessings. We must do it His way, not ours.
Let's see how scripture shows us the way to serve the needy, and how God will provide the resources to fulfill that ministry.
GOD IS ABLE
2 Corinthians 9:8-9
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
God uses His children to distribute his gifts to the poor. The believer who gives what he can to help those in need will find that the grace of God furnishes enough for his own needs, plus more, in order that he may abound in good works for others.
People may hesitate to give generously to God if they worry about not having enough money left over to meet their own needs. The person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return (2 Corinthians 9:6). Don't let a lack of faith keep you from giving freely and generously.
YOU ARE THE SOWER - He provides the seed
2 Corinthians 9:10
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. "
This verse tells us that it is He that gives us the resources we need to give to the poor, and will continue to supply what you need to grow that ministry. But if you don't trust Him to provide, He won't.
God gives us resources to use and invest for him. This includes personal and spiritual gifts besides our financial blessings. Paul used the illustration of seeds to explain that the resources God gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away, but cultivated in order to produce more crops. When we invest what God has given us in his work, he will provide us even more to give. You can't out give God.
YOU WILL BE RICH IN EVERY WAY
2 Corinthians 9:11
"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
In order for generosity to be outwardly expressed, the heart must already be enriched with sincere love and compassion for others. Giving of ourselves and our possessions results in;
1. Supplying the needs of poorer brethren.<
2. Praise and thanksgiving to God (V12)
3. Reciprocal love from those who receive the help (V14)
This verse tells us that when you trust God to use you to provide for the poor "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion."
GLORY TO GOD
2 Corinthians 9:12
"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." Two good things happen as a result of your gifts - those in need are helped and they overflow with thanks to God. Can't you just see God smiling?
THE UNEXPECTED RESULT OF GIVING
2 Corinthians 9:13-15
"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves [obedient], men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Paul notes that those who receive your gifts will be glad and will pray for you. This is the unexpected result of giving, as you bless others, you yourself are blessed. Giving is a wonderful experience that only the generous fully enter into, if they give for the right reason -- With a cheerful heart and for the glory of God.
WARNING: WE LOSE THE PROMISE WHEN WE DON'T TRUST GOD AND FOLLOW HIS PLAN FOR GIVING
You cannot change scripture to fit the way you want to serve God. You must do it His way or you will not receive the blessing you worked so hard to receive. In fact you may find yourself in an unsuitable condition because of your disobedience and refusal to give according to scripture. Even though you gave with a loving heart.
We cannot skip the first step. We must start our giving with the tithe. Our first fruits must go to the house of the Lord. Skipping the tithe and using the 'tithe money' to help others will not bring you a blessing. We must give according to scripture.
Moses was denied entry into the promise land because of his disobedience. God told him to speak to the rock. Instead he struck it twice.
Sarah was disobedient when she decided to give Abraham a child her way instead of trusting God. Today we are experiencing Islamic terrorism, and a war in Iraq because of that choice.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
Need I say anything else? Trust in the LORD. Follow HIS plan.
Visit our website today, and receive assistance with finding God's purpose in your life. Enjoy the many free tools that are available to assist you with your spiritual growth, professional Christian counseling, answers to frequently asked questions, daily news articles that affects Christians and political information.
Author: Ray Turner -- Retired school teacher from Oklahoma State University's School of Technical Training "Communications". Website dedicated to encourage and teach others to find God's gifts in their life, and to use them to bring others to Christ. http://thebridgetochurch.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment