How often do we speak of how much a man or woman of God has blessed us? All the time, men and women in leadership in the Kingdom of God give freely of themselves – often to their own detriment. In reflecting this week through various trials, I couldn’t help but think of men and women who have truly given of themselves, and have been a tremendous blessing to ME. I am sure each of you reading this can think of a time when someone gave of their time, their resources, their energy, and their anointing to bless you, help you, encourage you, get you delivered/ healed, gave you wisdom, or any combination of the above. Romans 13:7 tells us to “Give to everyone what is owed them: if taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” It is clear that we often share our gratitude with a “thank you” or a letter of appreciation, but how often do we really show our gratitude by something that costs us?
Let me present this from another angle, one not so spiritual at all: I buy my mother flowers regularly. I don’t buy them for her because she loves the flowers (she does!). I buy them for her because I want to honor her with the flowers because of all she has done for me, and even more so because I want her to enjoy the flowers while she is alive. I don’t want to just send flowers to her gravesite one day. What I am trying to say is that we should bless and honor and truly show support for the men and women of God who have forged the way for us, or who have helped us along our journey. 1 Corinthians 9:11, 14 says, “11Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?... 14In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.”
My challenge for you is this: find the men and women of God who have been a blessing to you, who have helped you grow to where you are today, and bless them by financially supporting them. Most of them have never, and likely will never, ask you for money. Bless them anyway, without them having to ask! Here is my simple challenge for you: buy them lunch. I realize you may not be in the same state or even country as he or she is, so I mean this figuratively. Literally, I mean, give them an offering equal to you buying their lunch. If you can only afford a 99 cent cheeseburger, so be it. If you can afford to buy them steak and lobster, then by all means, do it! Show the men and women of God in your life your appreciation, and bless them!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sowing and Reaping
Review of Sowing and Reaping
In tough economic times like these, one of the first things to pop up in conversation is naturally, finances. Experts say save, pastors say give, and we can’t help but wonder “where is my harvest?” We as the Body of Christ have heard many promises, many gimmicks, and many strategies…but what is the truth on the matter? Is it really “name it and claim it?” Or is it “sow it and reap it?” Or perhaps, the truth is something different altogether. In seeking the Lord on this matter, here is the reality of what I see, and what I have heard the Lord saying:
I have seen (and have sown) major “seeds” sown in faith, with no result in the natural. I have seen poor widows give their last, and still struggle financially. I have also seen faithful believers experience miraculous provisions – in fact, my own spiritual father, after hearing from the Lord and giving a specified amount to a specified place monthly, was blessed with a new car, totally paid for. So, then, what is the difference? I believe that the answer is multi-faceted, but primarily two-fold: First, obedience is better than sacrifice. If the Lord says to give $1.00, and you give that $1.00 as He has commanded you, your reward will be for obedience. On the other hand, giving $1,000 without being told to is commendable, but does not necessarily bring in a harvest. Why? 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” Obedience is the key here. Additionally, Ecclesiastes 5:1 warns us to “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.” WOW! So God’s word warns us that simply offering sacrifices (offerings) vainly is not only foolish, but evil. The key is OBEDIENCE – and not to the man standing and collecting the offering, but to the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, what is the purpose? Is it for your own vainglory? James 4:2-3 says, “You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” My spiritual father asked for the purpose of being able to minister; not to puff himself up. I know this is a touchy subject, and one that has been abused and misused so badly that it has left many devastated and wounded within the church. Today, let’s establish balance on the giving and the prosperity message in two simple steps: (1) Obey the Lord out of love; and (2) Ask out of the motive of love. When we fully obey, we shall surely eat of the good of the land, and we will be blessed not just for our own divulgence, but far more importantly, we will be blessed TO BE A BLESSING!
In tough economic times like these, one of the first things to pop up in conversation is naturally, finances. Experts say save, pastors say give, and we can’t help but wonder “where is my harvest?” We as the Body of Christ have heard many promises, many gimmicks, and many strategies…but what is the truth on the matter? Is it really “name it and claim it?” Or is it “sow it and reap it?” Or perhaps, the truth is something different altogether. In seeking the Lord on this matter, here is the reality of what I see, and what I have heard the Lord saying:
I have seen (and have sown) major “seeds” sown in faith, with no result in the natural. I have seen poor widows give their last, and still struggle financially. I have also seen faithful believers experience miraculous provisions – in fact, my own spiritual father, after hearing from the Lord and giving a specified amount to a specified place monthly, was blessed with a new car, totally paid for. So, then, what is the difference? I believe that the answer is multi-faceted, but primarily two-fold: First, obedience is better than sacrifice. If the Lord says to give $1.00, and you give that $1.00 as He has commanded you, your reward will be for obedience. On the other hand, giving $1,000 without being told to is commendable, but does not necessarily bring in a harvest. Why? 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” Obedience is the key here. Additionally, Ecclesiastes 5:1 warns us to “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.” WOW! So God’s word warns us that simply offering sacrifices (offerings) vainly is not only foolish, but evil. The key is OBEDIENCE – and not to the man standing and collecting the offering, but to the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, what is the purpose? Is it for your own vainglory? James 4:2-3 says, “You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” My spiritual father asked for the purpose of being able to minister; not to puff himself up. I know this is a touchy subject, and one that has been abused and misused so badly that it has left many devastated and wounded within the church. Today, let’s establish balance on the giving and the prosperity message in two simple steps: (1) Obey the Lord out of love; and (2) Ask out of the motive of love. When we fully obey, we shall surely eat of the good of the land, and we will be blessed not just for our own divulgence, but far more importantly, we will be blessed TO BE A BLESSING!
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