THE CHRISTIAN GIVER PART 6

 THE CHRISTIAN GIVER - PART 6

Praise God! We thank God for another new week He has brought us into. We pray that this week shall be more glorious than the last in Jesus name. We started a wonderful series last month and we thank God for inspiration till now. I believe we have all been blessed.

Today, we will further look into some enemies of our giving. If you are just joining us, please check our previous posts on this topic, they have been so wonderful.

ENEMIES OF OUR GIVING

5. Murmuring and Complaining:

We must know this as believers, God hates a murmuring and complaining spirit. It's just naturally as we are too, a child that murmurs and complains all the time is not the best or the preferred child of the parents. Such child that complains at every gift bought and every gift not bought is not always preferred amongst the children. The same way, it is with our God. Numbers 11:1 "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp".

The Israelites complained and God was displeased about this. In the same vein, when we come unto Him with our offerings, let's come with a heart that glorifies not a heart that keeps saying "why again?", "have we not given before?". Remember it is important that your giving must come from a willing heart. 2Corinthians 9:8 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver".

6. Doubt and Unbelief:

The seed of unbelief is the doing of the devil and it is in order to rob man of his blessings in Christ. The Bible says in Matthew 13:58 "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief". Our giving is not acceptable before God, if doubt and unbelief reigns in our heart. So many wonder; is it possible that God can by my offering, change my story?. Yes, it is possible. 

Remember His words say so and that the scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35). Whatever He has said to one, He says to all (Mark 13:37). If you are committed to a lifestyle of giving,  then God is committed to blessing you. 

Also, we must know that God works according to times and seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1); and also his ways are absolutely not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Hence, when we give, we should give with this understanding, not expecting the blessings according to what our mental capacity feels should be possible. If the returns appear delayed to us, it is not because the Father is not able to do so. Just keep trusting in Him and keep praying along with your seeds. When the cloud is full, the rain most certainly will fall. You will only rob yourself of the good benefits available in Giving when you allow doubt and unbelief.

7. Half-heartedness/ Negative Attitude:

This is one way many rob themselves of their blessings in Christ. In our work with God, it is either all or none (Matthew 6:22, 33). We are admonished to give ourselves wholly(James 4:7) and it is when we do this, that we see whole results. It is very important that we understand, our attitude matters when it comes to Giving. It's all about the inner person of the mind. How do you place that offering you are giving God in your heart? So many come before God and give unto Him "anyhow" offering. These people cannot receive in that same manner but they feel they can do it unto God. 

When we come to God, we must have an understanding of the presence of whom we are and appropriate that presence well. Cain brought an offering unto God the same way Abel did but his was not accepted. It could have something to do with the state of his heart at that time, the gift He gave or anything in particular. As we see, when God did not accept, the Bible says "Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell", and that was when he became a tool in the hands of the devil. God said unto him in Genesis 4:7; "if thou doest well, shalt not thou be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him". 

We therefore must mind our manner of approach when it comes to giving to God or to our prophets. By Giving a man is blessed and by giving, he can also be cursed.

8. Sadness and Grief:

Another vital tool the devil uses to deny God's children of their inheritance is sadness and grief. When we are sorrowful, we cannot please God; and  we also cannot receive God's blessings. 

Joel 1:12; "The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men".

The scripture says in 2 Corinthians 9:7; "For God loveth a cheerful giver". If your gift is not given joyfully, then it cannot be accepted by God. Until He accepts your offering, the blessings cannot be granted us. We must understand that when we are sad or without joy, God cannot dwell with us. His presence is full of Joy (Psalm 16:11) and if He cannot dwell with us; in such manner his blessings also cannot. We must know that only with a Joyful heart can we receive from Him. Isaiah 12:3; "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation".

TO BE CONTINUED...

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