Did you know that giving is supposed to be a lifestyle for the born-again believer? When you got born again, you actually got translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light – Colossians 1:13. That is a reality, that’s no fairytale. You might not feel like that, but if you saw yourself from God’s viewpoint, you’d be absolutely stunned.
So, what does that mean? It simply means, as a citizen of the kingdom you can’t have the thoughts of the world anymore. The world’s ideas of giving came from the fall. It’s twisted and full of error. The world is full of poverty, famine, economic crashes, fraud, oppression over the poor, inflation etc. It’s getting worse by the day as the greed grows among the wicked. So, with that said; how could you, a child of light take financial advice from them that are still lost in a cursed and failed economy?
It doesn’t make sense does it?
When it comes to the kingdom, we have an economic system that’s completely contrary to the world. We get persecuted for it, because it doesn’t make sense to the world. This economic system was never established by man, it was instituted by God Himself. It’s based on His wisdom. When Israel had the world’s ideas of finances in them, they began failing. Do you want to know why? Let’s see what God’s wisdom says on the topic.
A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “The people procrastinate. They say this isn’t the right time to rebuild my Temple, the Temple of God.” Shortly after that, God said more and Haggai spoke it: “How is it that it’s the ‘right time’ for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, God’s Temple, is in ruins?” And then a little later, God-of-the-Angel-Armies spoke out again: “Take a good, hard look at your life. Think it over. You have spent a lot of money, but you haven’t much to show for it. You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up. You keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you’re always thirsty. You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can’t get warm. And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it? Not much — a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that’s what.” That’s why God-of-the-Angel-Armies said: “Take a good, hard look at your life. Think it over.” Then God said: “Here’s what I want you to do: Climb into the hills and cut some timber. Bring it down and rebuild the Temple. Do it just for me. Honor me. You’ve had great ambitions for yourselves, but nothing has come of it. The little you have brought to my Temple I’ve blown away—there was nothing to it. “And why?” (This is a Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, remember.) “Because while you’ve run around, caught up with taking care of your own houses, my Home is in ruins. That’s why. Because of your stinginess. And so I’ve given you a dry summer and a meager crop. I’ve matched your tight-fisted stinginess by decreeing a season of drought, drying up fields and hills, withering gardens and orchards, stunting vegetables and fruit. Nothing—not man or woman, not animal or crop—is going to thrive.” Haggai 1:2-11 The Message Bible
Isn’t it interesting to see that God Himself mentions that they’re supposed to thrive. At first glance, it seems like we’re dealing with a very harsh God. That however, couldn’t be further from the truth. Why did Israel fail? Why would we fail today? The answer is very simple; we didn’t put God first, not with money but with love. What is the greatest command? It’s to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like unto it, to love your neighbour as yourself – Matthew 22:37-40.
When you run into His arms out of a love for Him with nothing holding you back, and all that’s on your mind is to please Him, you’ll gladly give to Him without hesitation. You see, this whole operation is contrary to the world because it’s based on love. So, we’re not building a physical temple today, but the motive remains the same.
What are ministries in the earth? They’re God’s vision to the called in the earth to help establish His kingdom so that it can become an influential authority for good to be a BLESSING. So, technically when you give, whether of your first fruit, tithe or offering, you’re supporting His vision in this earth just as the Israelites had an opportunity to support the building of the house of God. And guess what God does with that money that you put into the ministry? It goes right back into establishing the vision so that it can be a BLESSING to those who are still outside the kingdom, or to the hopeless, the backslider etc. It is there to meet the second commandment which is to love your neighbour, and in turn that is actually loving God because that was His heart in the first place.
So what do your offerings go towards? Well He told us to start a Gospel newspaper. That’s not where it ends, that’s where it starts. He wants us to tell the world just how much He loves them and your offering primarily pays for a printed newspaper so that someone else can hear that good news. That’s how you get to be a BLESSING to someone else and put a smile on your Father’s face at the same time.
And that’s why it’s a lifestyle of giving!
If you live in South Africa, you can download the SnapScan app free of charge off the playstore or iTunes and create a profile which literally takes less than 5 minutes. You can use your phone to hover over the QR code and this ministry’s details will automatically be loaded for you to give an offering.
If you live outside of South Africa, you can simply follow the givengain link to give your offering over there.
Thank you for your love and support.
Remember, faith comes by hearing, so keep on hearing.
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