Radical Giving
Giving is about so much more than finances... it's about giving your entire life and everything that you have to Christ for His glory! Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus told us not to store treasures on earth, but instead to store treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, your heart will be also. - Notice, first Jesus tells us to not store up treasures on earth. - BUT instead store up treasure in heaven. - And then Jesus says something profound... where your treasure is, your heart will be also. Think about that... He said, what you invest in, your heart will eventually follow. You want to love your spouse more? Invest what you value in them, whether it be your time, your emotions, and even your finances. You want to love your kids more? Invest in them You want to love Christ more? Invest in Him. Invest and continue to invest in the those things that you are important, those things that you love, so that your love will not fade. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Some translations say, you can not serve both God and money, but mammon is a much better translation. This reference is referring to mammon, the demon god of treasure, riches, power and greed.
So when it says you can not serve both God and mammon, it’s actually saying, if you are choosing to serve money, wealth, riches, or greed, you are choosing to serve mammon, instead of God. But there is hope... remember the verse says, you can not serve both God and mammon. So, if you choose to be loyal to Christ, you will not be loyal to the god’s of this world.
You want to remove issues from your life, start focusing on Christ. it won’t always happen overnight, but sooner rather than later, those things that seemed so valuable to you before, will lose the power they have over you. And you will again have a heart that is loyal to Christ!
So how do we honor God with our finances?
The fact is there are a few simple things that we can do, to trust God with our finances, so we can become Radical Giver…
- Start relying on God for your finances
Don’t lie, cheat, or steal… and do not manipulate people into giving to you.
Don’t tell people you really want something, but you don’t have the money for it… pray about it, and watch God work. It will build a trust in you, that God is Your Provider, and You will begin to see God move more and more frequently.
- Don’t make unGoldy purchases
Make sure you don’t invest, or spend your money on sinful or ungodly things.
- Pray before you make major purchases
You should pray every time you shop, but especially if it is a major purchase. - And as far as giving, give as much as you can, and do it cheerfully
Don’t think, can you imagine what I could do with all the money I give. Instead, be thankful that you can give, it is one of the biggest blessings that God has given to you, to give to the church and others, to help spread His gospel. - Don’t brag about your giving There is no reason for it. Don’t tell others, hey, you see that shirt they are wearing, or that car they are driving, I gave them that. Don't tell anyone. First, it can truly hurt the person that you gave to. And on top o that, it draws attention away from God, and places attention on you. We are not here to glorify ourselves, but to glorify and lead people to God!
- And finally the more you give, the more you are acting like Christ
Remember, Jesus gave everything for us, not just in death, but in life too!
Jesus was the biggest giver ever, and when we give we are following His example!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus gave His life for you… and if Jesus would give His life for us… we should be willing to do the same for others!!
Have A Blessed Day! Pastor George Finney New Life Church NewLifeKenefick@yahoo.com