INTRODUCTION
Often time’s people are confused about the secret principles of giving. The secret in achieving the benefits of the Christian giving depends solely on the Christian attitude towards Giving. God gives liberally to everyone who comes to Him. Brethren, believe it or not, your attitude determines the kind of giving you give to God or your fellow man. This attitude manifests from the heart.
- It signifies your level of faith in God
- It manifest the trust you have in God
- It manifest to all, if you have been a good steward of what the Lord has placed in your care.
WHY ARE SOME CHRISTIANS NOT ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF GIVING?
Let us consider some variety of attitudes that can lead to this;
THE STINGY GIVER
The Stingy giver has the attitude of the Children of Israel, who held back their tithes and offerings to the house of God. Mal.3:6-10. This is the same attitude of some Christians today, after been blessed by God, they held back which is for God.
THE COVETOUS GIVER
Some today have the same attitude of Ananias and Sapphira, who after been blessed by God, held back part of the price of their possessions, pretending to have given all to God. Acts 5:1-10.
GIVING GOD YOUR LEFT OVER
In Mal. 1:6-8, the children of Israel disregarded the Lord, as they offered polluted things to the Lord, and the Lord was displeased with them. This is the same attitude of some Christians today, after being blessed by God, they give to God torn ones.
THE REWARD GIVER
The attitude of the reward giver is condemned by the Lord in Matt. 6:1 – 2. Jesus declared.
BENEFITS
- Giving Is Evidence of Our Obedience to God
In the Old Testament Law, God told the Israelites to give a tenth of what they owned to the Lord for the support of the priesthood. Under the New Covenant, Jesus instructed His followers to give generously in proportion to how we would like God to be generous toward us (Luke 6:38).
He also wants us to give out of a grateful response to what we’ve been given. When we’ve been given salvation, haven’t we been given everything? In that regard, Jesus didn’t teach us to give just a tenth…He taught us, in some ways, to give our all.
- Giving Sets Our Priorities Straight
That is our command to invest in the eternal. God’s Word also tells us to be heavenly minded by setting our minds “on things above” (Colossians 3:2). If our priority is in the eternal and our sights are set on the life to come, that’s where our money will be directed—to benefit the kingdom of God.
Therefore, as we give to God and invest in His kingdom, that’s where our hearts will be fixed and focused. Giving to God prioritizes our lives and is, again, evidence of our love for Him.
- Giving Increases Our Faith
Giving is clearly a matter of trust. The more you give, the more you learn to trust God that you will have enough left over for your own needs. And the more you trust, the more you’ll give. Again, put your money where your mouth is when you say “I trust God” and put Him to the test.
- Giving Acknowledges That God Owns it All
God is the owner of all that we have and we are merely the stewards of it. That’s where tithing comes in. Giving Him the first 10 percent says “God, this is just giving you back what’s already yours. Thank You for the other 90 percent you let me keep.” What a good and generous God!
- Giving Leads to Joy
In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we read: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver In other words, give preparedly and with an anticipation of what God will do to multiply it for His purposes. That kind of giving produces joy, and an excitement of wanting to give more. That’s another biblical reason to give money away, even if we don’t think we have enough.
- Giving Blesses Us—Abundantly
Do you realize the more you give, the more God will give you…so that you can continue to give? That’s right. We don’t give because then we’ll get. We give out of gratitude for what God has given to us, and so that God will give us more so we can give more. That’s the essence of giving in the New Testament. Luke 6:38
Conclusion
Brethren, Remember, if we must enjoy the benefits of our giving, then, we must sow bountifully in order for to reap bountifully.