The Power Of Giving

We excuse ourselves from the great privilege, honor and duty of seeding into the Kingdom of God when we assign to others that which is clearly our responsibility.

God founded the principle of seedtime and harvest: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Gen. 8:22). Whether good seed or bad, in season or out, to overcome problems, reach your destiny and potential, become fruitful, to be renewed in mind, body and spirit, we must follow God’s seedtime and harvest principle.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, ’How do we rob you?’ "In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8)

Prior to any legal requirement, Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek and the tithing system continued during the time of Moses (Gen. 14:18-20; Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-32; Deut. 14:22). The Bible tells us to not withhold our tithes. Everything we have is from God; so when we refuse to return to Him a part of what He has given, we rob Him. Giving of a tenth is an act of worship to honor God as your Provider.

God says, "Give, and it will be given to you," (Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35). When we give, we often times expect an immediate return. But we must remember that God’s choicest blessings God are not always material and may not be experienced completely here on earth. If we are to follow the Master’s pattern, we, too, must be givers.

The Apostle Paul applies the principle of sowing and reaping in three areas.

“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:6-10).

Seeding Into Those Who Teach You:

“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” (Gal. 6:6)

We hesitate to give generously to God because we worry about having enough money left over to meet our own needs. The Bible tells us that God is able to meet your needs. The person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return.

According to God’s Word, it is the duty of those who are taught from the Word to support those who teach them. Jesus tells us that workers deserve their wages (Luke 10:7). Paul echoes this thought as well. We have the responsibility to care for our pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders. It is our duty to see that those who serve in the ministry are fairly and adequately paid (1 Corinthians 9:7-12). We often times enjoy receiving the benefit of solid Biblical teaching and ignore those who have been appointed by God as our teachers, forgetting their needs. We demonstrate our sincerity and generosity by taking care of those who instruct us. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18).

God appointed, faithful teachers should be supported and appreciated. Too often our leaders are targeted for criticism. How do you treat your church leaders? Do you enjoy finding fault, or do you show your appreciation? Do they receive enough financial support to allow them to live without worry and to provide for the needs of their families? Jesus and Paul emphasized the importance of supporting those who lead and teach us. It is our responsibility to make sure they have what they need. First, see that they have an adequate salary commensurate with similar positions in the secular world. Second, see that they are supported emotionally; plan a time to express appreciation for something they have done. Third, lift their spirits with special surprises from time to time. Ministers deserve to know we are giving to them cheerfully and generously.

What a tremendous blessing it is to know that He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Seeding Into The Spirit:

“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:8)

Those who live a carnal, sensual life spend all their thoughts, care, resources, and time on the things of this world and must not expect any other fruit in this life or the one to come. Those who sow to the Spirit will have comfort in this present life and the one to come. God sees through all our disguises, and will deal with us not according to what we have said, but what we have done with that which He has given.