God’s plan is for you to have the most amazing life you could ever imagine but here is the catch. It’s not his plan for you to pursue an amazing life for yourself.
Giving sacrifices, tithes and offerings have always been a part of God’s definition of worship. Learning about and participating in the generous nature of God is a very important part of our worship.
Isa 58:6-8 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn…
This is what releases something powerful in your life and in your legacy!
Isa 58:6-8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. NIV
All this amazing stuff happens in our lives after we care for those in need!
In the past week you have given food to the hungry, clothes to the naked and help to those in need if you have given tithes and offerings as part of the Destiny family.
Your giving makes a difference!
As we take one more look at Paul’s writings to the Corinthians he was saying your giving makes a difference!
He told them to think about their giving in advance and give with whole hearts to see God’s Kingdom advance!
2 Cor 9:5-7 I thought it necessary visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. NIV
Remember we’re not merely talking about money coming back to us here. Helping those in need releases breakthrough from God that is assigned to our lives abundantly as a result!
2 Cor 9:7-11 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 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…You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion… NIV
Your giving not only makes a difference in expressing ministry through our church family, your giving makes a difference in your life and in your legacy!
Clearly something is unlocked in our own lives when we move past our own needs in consideration for the needs of others.
We make a living by what we get but we leave a legacy by what we give.
GP4RL: Evaluate your giving this week as your personal ministry to the Lord and make one step forward in this important area of your life.