THE CHRISTIAN GIVER

 THE CHRISTIAN GIVER

Happy New month Family

Hallelujah...we thank God for all He did for us in the month of April. We are so assured that He will do much more in this new month of May. Amen

This week we shall be considering the life of a Christian as a giver. From scriptures, we understand that as Christians, we are meant to live as Christ (we are Christ-like). Living as Christ means we do everything that He says we should do from His word. It means following after Christ, every detail of His while here on earth. Christ taught us so many principles for us to live a worthy life; His kind of life here on Earth. One of such is the principle of GIVING.

Looking at this scriptural reference in Matthew 25:42-45;  42- For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

From these verses above, we see how Christ wants us to live our lives as it pertains to Giving, whether giving in His house - the church or to others around us. However, today, so many interpretations have been given to the word "Giving"  many of which are not biblical; even in the body of Christ and when we follow after these false principles or teachings, we only rob ourselves of all that Giving procures as blessings for us.

The word of God is given for every man's profiting. 2Timothy 3:16;"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"

But, if we are to profit by the word we need understanding. Our depth of understanding determines the extent of our profiting; and in the kingdom of God to which we belong, there are many mysteries to be understood. As mysteries, they cannot be understood by just anybody.  

Matthew 13:1; "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given".

We will be looking at some of these mysteries in this week's teaching.

THE MYSTERIES IN GIVING

1. Giving is the Father's will: 

We must understand that as believers, we have been called to a Life of Giving. God, the creator of all even showed this to us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the word that He gave...". Giving is God's will. Matthew 25: 35-45 Jesus was teaching as His custom often was. He gave the picture of who His sheep are or betterstill the life His sheep should live in the world. So, here we see that Christ wants us as givers. It is his desire that we give to others around us as we do unto Him. Christ laid down his life for us and expects that we also do the same. 

Philippians 4:14-19;

14:"Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus".

Verse 19 is the verse we all funnily memorise and make our prayer points. But there was a reason for that blessing that came upon the Philippian church and this is in verse 15. In Apostle Paul's message; these people were givers like no other, hence, the reason for the blessings. Verse 18 sheds another light..the latter part says "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God".

We must also understand that there is a "giving" in the way of the Father and there is a "giving" in the way of the world. When we give for our own interests, we are not doing the will of God. By so doing, we cannot enjoy God's blessings because we have not done it the Father's way.

2. Giving as an instruction from God : Apart from being the will of God for us as God's own sons and daughters. He instructs us even today to give, whether we are giving for the advancement of His kingdom or giving to the needy. Luke 6:38 "Give it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same treasure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again".

Jesus was again here giving some life instructions to the multitude that were with him (beginning from verse 20).

We have seen from scriptures many instances where God instructs men to make offerings unto Him. He told Abraham to offer his son (Genesis 22:2) . He told Moses together with the children of Israel to rear an altar. Exodus 20:24 "An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee".

Cain and Abel gave unto the Lord in Genesis 4. Verse 4 says "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering". We know about the story of Cain and Abel; but they did not just give. It was in response to an instruction from God. Exodus 22:29; Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.

God is still much instructing us today from His word concerning giving. One of such mysteries is the mystery of Tithing (giving 10% of your income)

Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts; if I will not open unto you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it".

We must also note that the instruction for giving may not always come directly from God. If we agree God speaks through men to bless us, then we can as well agree that God can give an instruction for our giving through men also.1Kings 17:7-16 "the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephat" (You can read the story for better understanding). God had told the prophet Elijah that He had directed someone to attend to him and we saw how the widow did all she was instructed.

Proverbs 4:13 "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life".

For every instruction wee receive from God, Obedience is needed, both prompt and complete obedience.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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