THE CHRISTIAN GIVER

 THE CHRISTIAN GIVER - PART 2

Earlier this week, we started out by looking at the life of a Christian as a giver. We have been made to understand that as Christians, we are called to live the life of givers. It is a proof that we belong to God and Jesus Christ is our great teacher on this. He was a perfect example of laying down for the cause of others. Today, we will learn more. (Pls, if you have not seen the previous articles, check both blog site and Facebook for the message. God bless).

THE MYSTERIES OF GIVING

3. Giving procures Divine blessings: 

The Bible in  Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it". There is a blessing that a man receives that is without pain and suffering. Such blessings can only come from doing the will of God. This was the order of blessings God gave to our Father Abraham by the reason of his obedience.

Genesis 24:1; "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things".

The reason for this is in Genesis 12 from verse 1paraphrased; "when God told Abraham to get out of his country to a place He would show him". And this, Abraham did as instructed. But not until Abraham gave, did he receive the validation of these blessings (Genesis 22). Reading that scripture; Again God appeared unto Abraham after He had given up his only son Isaac and then God placed a seal of Generational blessings upon Him and it still speaks till today.

If we do not obey God's word concerning Giving, then we cannot enjoy all the available blessings. Acts 20:35; "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive".

Proverbs 11:24; "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty".

There is a blessing in Giving. We should also know that the level of our giving determines our returns (Luke 6:38, 2Corinthians 9:6) "...he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully". Yes, it is true your giving will result into blessings; but still these blessings will be determined by how much is given.

Proverbs 3:9-10 "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine".

The scripture didn't just say honour with your substance and all increase; He gave a qualifying attribute to the seed - the first fruits. Giving "any how" or "any way" will result only into any how or any way blessings .

4. Giving not only procures blessings; it also secures the blessings: 

Let's look at the scripture in Genesis 8:22 "Whilst the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest time, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease". We must understand that our giving is like sowing a seed. And after a farmer has sown, he is entitled to reap the profits. If such farmer wants to see the desired results, He must not only plant but must again and again go to water the seeds, providing them with optimum conditions for growth. If you want to keep the blessings of God on your life as a person, the way to this is Giving. The only true security for the blessings of God is also Giving. Giving will not only bring about these blessings, but through it, the blessings can be sustained and preserved.

Malachi 3:10-11;

Vs 11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts".

After God had said in verse 10, that He will bring His blessings upon us when we give. He also says in verse 11, He will rebuke the devourer; meaning, any thing that will want to stop your harvest, He will take away. We must understand that when we sow, there are bound to be weeds and other things like harsh weather - all these which are harmful to the seeds sown. But through our giving again and again, God says these things will not be able to devour our blessings.

Giving is a vital way to securing the blessings we have received of God.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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