This teaching is about the "grace of giving." In our missionary walk with the Lord we must depend entirely upon Him to provide for us to go where He sends us. What does that mean? I think for many believer's this means if God is leading us somewhere, he will provide all we need to go all by Himself? I can agree with that.
I guess my question to you is where does the provision come from for us to go? Yes, God can send down manna from heaven. Yes, God can bring water out of a rock or take a stick and put it in bitter waters to make them sweet. Yes, Jesus can take a lunch of fishes and loaves and feed 5000 people. I believe in God's supernatural ability more than ever.
Yet, these answers alone do not answer the question fully. Where does the provision to go come from? Let us look at the word of God concerning provision. Haggai 2:8 says, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Host." I guess that settles it! It has to come from God? But where exactly is that Silver and Gold? Is it in a bank in heaven?
I think many believers think the Lord keeps a bank up in heaven ready for us to withdraw from the account by prayer. "Lord I need my daily bread today, please send it." Poof! Down from heaven come the angels to bring us the money we need. Or God speaks to a bird and says, "here take this down to Sister Sue and give this to her." Now I used those examples because God does rain down bread from heaven, and He brought forth water from a rock. He brought a raven to feed Elijah. So it can be concluded that God can go beyond the laws of nature to supply for us.
I really believe many Christians believe that when it comes to giving and sowing. Pastor Henry, "God will bring it don't worry." Many times I am accused of having a "lack of faith" when I send out opportunities for God's people to sow into the work of God. Many have said, "you need to trust the Lord, and if God is guiding you, He will provide for you." These are no doubt truisms. Often though there is another underlying reason people give those answers. I will refrain from writing about them at this time, because I really believe God wants to give us a Word of Deliverance in this teaching.
We have presented many opportunities for people to sow into the Kingdom of God, and to help us go to the cities and nations of the world. Without the faithful few supporters we have, we would probably not have gone very far. Some sow "little, big seeds." They are not little to God but perhaps in amount in the natural, but they are truly love seeds, some have sown bigger, big seeds sown with the same love. These seeds of love has gotten us where God has sent us and helped us live as well.
These precious saints are like the church in Macedonia and in Phillipi which I am going to expound on in this teaching. God has us reach out to others in the Body of Christ to see who He can touch to help us do the work of the Lord. We send out emails or personal calls to many of them, and many times we get either no response, or reasons why they can't do something at this time. These reasons may be very legitimate in many cases. Yet, I know there is a great fear and a spirit of unbelief beginning to consume God's people on why they "can't give to God and the work of God." To this concern do I bring forth this teaching.
Does God really have a bank in heaven that by prayer and asking he rains down miracle money? Does He just suspends the laws of nature every time to provide our needs. I think a quick reflection in the Word of God would bring forth the answer as no. Beloved, like it or not, God provides 97 percent of the time "through His people." When there was a famine in Israel, God called the Macedonian and the Corinthian church to sow or give to their brothers in Christ not just once, but more than one time.
Romans 15; 27-29, For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Notice, "for it pleased those from Macdeonia, and Achaia to make certain contributions for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. Why didn't the saints in Jerusalem just pray ask God to open the bank account and send it down? Why was it necessary for GOD TO TOUCH THE HEARTS OF THOSE IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA TO HELP! Yes, beloved He touched their hearts to help as they heard about the need of the poor in Jerusalem.
Let's continue our search for God's means of provision. 1st Corinthians 16:1-4, 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
Paul writes to the Corinthians the following about the "Grace of Giving": 2 Corinthians 8: 1-7:
Verse 1, Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
Beloved, I want you to allow the Word of God to speak to your heart. Here is what He writes about the church in Macedonia, That in a time of GREAT AFFLICTION, the abundance of their joy and in their deep poverty ABOUNDED in the riches of their LIBERALITY! This is the "Grace of Giving!"
This means in the most difficult financial times for them, a time of financial affliction, out of the abundance of their joy and deep need, they ABOUNDED WITH THE RICHNESS OF THEIR GENEROUS GIVING! Look at verse 3, FOR I BEAR WITNESS THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY, YES, AND ABOVE THEIR ABILITY, THEY WERE FREELY WILLING, IMPLORING US WITH MUCH URGENCY THAT WE SHOULD RECEIVE THE GIFT AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS!
Beloved, do we understand in the Holy Spirit the power of these words, this testimony of great love? Today, in our economy many in the church are saying, "I don't have it, I don't have enough right now, I wish I could sow, but I can't." How does that compare with the church in Macedonia? Were they in any better shape than us? Hardly, but THEIR HEARTS WERE IN A DIFFERENT POSITION THAN OURS. Today, we see WALL STREET, Main Street and our bank accounts. THEY SAW GOD. THEY SAW HEAVENLY RICHES. THEY SAW LOVE AND THEY UNDERSTOOD, NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS THAN TO LAY HIS LIFE DOWN FOR HIS FRIENDS.
Dear beloved, I will not shrink back in these hard economic times to share the truth of God's word with you and the heart God is seeking in His people. How did the church in Macedonia do it? Listen to what Paul writes again in verse 5, "And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God." Do you see it beloved. Here is how they did it, and I am afraid this is what is missing in the American Church today, "THEY FIRST GAVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD!"
What does that mean? It means they understood what it meant to become a living sacrifice. They understood the needs of the "rest of the Body of Believer's" and not just their own family, church or ministry. They understood God was not asking for a tithe, but for their lives to be poured out as a drink offering for those in need. But a deeper understanding of what Paul is writing is needed. He says, they first gave themselves to the Lord. This is the Matthew 6:33 principle, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. But there was more that Paul identified as important. He writes, "AND THEN TO US BY THE WILL OF GOD."
You see beloved, Paul spoke to them the truth. Not only did they give themselves to God as a living sacrifice, they gave themselves to Paul in DOING THE WORK OF GOD! Paul's mission was to help those in Jerusalem that had such a great need physically. Today in our spiritual Jerusalem, the lack is even greater for the true Bread of Life to bring the church out of captivity of religious bondage.
Beloved, Paul does not stop there. He implores the church in Corinth to have the same heart as the church in Macedonia. They were to have the same love, the same giving of their lives to God first, then to Paul and to the saints in Jerusalem. Let's read what he tells the church in Corinth.
2nd Corinthians 8:6 -7, "So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
Paul writes to Corinth, you abound in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in gifts, and if love for us, SEE THAT YOU ABOUND IN THE GRACE OF GIVING ALSO! Beloved, He asked them to walk in the "GRACE of GIVING." I realize there are many ministries and churches clamoring for your money. They have this-a thon, give-a-ways, and "get words of $333 seeds to sow, or offer sand from Israel to allure your giving, but this is not in the tradition of the New Testament.
Paul appealed to "the Love of God" in them as the one and only reason to give to those in need and to support the work of God. Paul desired for this "grace of giving" to complete this grace in them. That is why I write to you so much, and ask for your help in doing the work of God. Not because of the need for your money, but for you to EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD IN GIVING.
Maybe you are a Pastor of a church, or a Christian Business person, or someone who works everyday at a job. The requirements of the "grace of giving" are unchanging for all of us. Paul continues to write to the church in Corinth, that he is TESTING THE SINCERITY OF THEIR LOVE BY THE DILIGENCE OF OTHERS (in their giving), by encouraging them to finish the giving they started as well.
Verse 8- 13 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
I want to continue a little more with this teaching to show you the Body of Christ responsibility in the "grace of giving." Let's read more of the heart of the Lord through the Apostle Paul concerning giving to the men of God for the work of the Gospel. Let us read 1st Corinthians 9:1-2,
"AM I not an apostle (a special messenger)? Am I not free (unrestrained and exempt from any obligation)? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you [yourselves] not [the product and proof of] my workmanship in the Lord? 2Even if I am not considered an apostle (a special messenger) by others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal (the certificate, the living evidence) of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it]."
3This is my [real ground of] defense (my vindication of myself) to those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me. 4 Have we not the right to our food and drink [at the expense of the churches]? 5 Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas (Peter)?
6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood [in order to go about the work of the ministry]? 7 [Consider this:] What soldier at any time serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of the fruit of it? Who tends a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?
8 Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons? Does not the Law endorse the same principle? 9 For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?
10 Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest. 11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? 12 If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ.
13Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]? 14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.
This is a powerful Word of the Lord in establishing the correct grace of giving relationship between those who are sent with those they are sent too. There should be a "mutual love and care for one another." A mutual love to help those being sent to have "what they need to live, but even more, to continue on their journey in the work of God.
Paul writes, "Don't we have the right to ask you for support? You take care of Peter and His family and others? What Soldier goes out to serve at HIS OWN EXPENSE? Who plants a vineyard not to partake and eat of it? Good question? Who tends a flock not to drink the milk of it? This also applies to Pastor's and their relationship with their people. The people of God should have a love and care for their Pastor's and families as well.
Sadly, in many of the churches we go to, the Pastor's are suffering much financially. Many are afraid to even teach the principles I am setting forth from the Word of God so they won't be accused of "wanting the people's money." We will pay to keep the lights on in the building, or to have new carpets, but it is OK to let the Pastor work 3 jobs.
Beloved Paul says these incredible words: "Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons? Does not the Law endorse the same principle? For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?" Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest. If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?
Beloved, you can argue all you want about giving, sowing, whether you have it or not have it, but put your arguments of not sowing or your non ability to sow in your human reason in stark contrast against the Word of God and why you must sow, you will see how one might come up very lacking in the sight of God.
I want you to know Beloved of the Lord, that in Corinth, Paul would not receive a penny from them and worked with his own hands in making tents to provide for himself? Why, Because he was accused of wanting their money! Yet, this did not stop him from teaching them the "grace of giving." He just shut their mouths so they would not accuse him by not taking their money, yet He still preached to them the Word of God.
Let's read what He tells them, "But I have not made use of any of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me [now]. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void and deprive me of my [ground for] glorifying [in this matter]. For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!
Paul knew their desire was to "keep what they had, and their hearts to not truly give themselves to the Lord produced a heart that "wouldn't give." Paul compares their walk with the church at Macedonia, to show them their hearts of giving themselves to the Lord first, and then to us? He tells them they gave out of their deep poverty, not just their ability to give, but beyond their ability to give. He then tells the church at Corinth to "rise to this "grace of giving" to truly be blessed by the Lord.
I hope you understand beloved, why I present these truths to you in this same heart. For the need in the church of the Lord spiritually is so great today. Everywhere we go, God is binding up the wounds in the hearts of God's people, setting them free from all types of bondages, and teaching them their need to know God intimately. He sets them of fire with His Manifest Presence and lives are forever changed and turned to the Lord. Beloved, There are many spiritually famishing for the true Word of God to feed, transform and empower them for God's purposes. We must go to them!
It is necessary for those "Being sent" by the Lord to present these needs to the church, to God's people. It is is God's requirements. It is not a lack of faith on my part, or looking to men, but a looking to God to work through the men and women who have a heart first for the Lord and then for us like Paul spoke of the church in Macedonia. It is a requirement of the Lord to teach God's people His heart in giving, service and in supporting missionary work and helping the "sent ones' to go the cities where God's people have needs.
It is interesting in almost every single city God sends me, God has me sow seeds and gifts from what was given to us to go to the people God has sent us too. Pastors who have had no money for food, lights, or daily needs, God spoke to us to sow all we came with.
Beloved, I will continue to present the "opportunities for you as believer's" to walk in the "grace of giving." Why? The Word of God says in 2nd Corinthians 9:7, "Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].
At Philippi, Paul affirms the correctness of their willingness and love to sow into His life and ministry to advance the Gospel. So special was this churches offering to Him, that he prayed one of the greatest blessing upon them because they had given themselves first to the Lord, but also to Paul to do the work of God. It is here Paul writes, "and my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory."
Let us read the heart of what Paul writes to this church." Verses 14-19, "But it was right and commendable and noble of you to contribute for my needs and to share my difficulties with me.And you Philippians yourselves well know that in the early days of the Gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church (assembly) entered into partnership with me and opened up [a debit and credit] account in giving and receiving except you only.
For even in Thessalonica you sent [me contributions] for my needs, not only once but a second time. Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account].
But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights."
Beloved did you read that. There gifts to Paul WERE A FRAGRANT ODOR OF AN OFFERING AND SACRIFICE WHICH GOD WELCOMES AND IN WHICH HE DELIGHTS!" Do you hear beloved of the Lord? Do you have a heart to understand what God desires? Will you open your heart to the Lord and us and receive the "grace of giving?"
Those whose hearts have not grown up in the Lord will protest and even oppose this teaching because the Spirit of God will bring such a heavy conviction they wont be able to bear it. The Law of Love demands this type of sacrificial giving, but Love's demand in giving won't exert itself over our own ability to choose to either "lay our lives down for our friends" or not. It will always be a free will choice to pour out our lives or not.
I hope you understand that God has an economy not rooted in this world. It is not dictated by your pay check or what you have or don't have. His economy is based in His love. His love is based in giving everything He has, and is for those He loves so much, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son...." Giving is the fruit of that Holy Love. A love that sees the needs of others before and better than their own needs, and then willing gives up its life for others. This is what Paul taught to the churches about the Grace of Giving.
Perhaps next time when you read one of our emails sharing with you what God is doing, and where God is sending us, or in ways God could touch you to help, your FAITH WILL RISE to the level of God's love. God will show you how you could give or do beyond your natural reason or thoughts like in Macedonia that gave "beyond their ability." Our deepest love and thanks to you who are already doing this with us. Your sacrifice of love won't go unnoticed by the Lord.
To you who have this heart to do and give, but fear has held you hostage, I hope you will see that God will always provide your needs when you give yourself first to Him, and then to those entrusted to go and preach the Gospel. Trusting He will always give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. God may provide by the birds of the air, or bring us to a brook to drink, or multiply fishes and loaves, but He most often provides through His people to His people.
God Bless you always,
Pastor Henry
And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
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