BIBLE PASSAGE:
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother
or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the
love of God be in that person?”
(1 John 3:17)
MEDITATION:
Would others describe you as someone who is generous, or stingy?
According to the bible, a stingy person is one who is lacking the
love of God. Why? Because God gave up His very best (Jesus) for
everyone. God did that because He has a great love for all mankind.
“Frugality” is being wise and should not be confused with being stingy.
The love of God can be seen in a generous person. Why? Because
a generous person not only has a love for others, but they also have
an all-consuming love for the Lord. Their appreciation for God’s
love overrides any selfishness.
Our love of God creates in us an attitude that tithing is our opportunity
to express our love to God, and not merely an obligation to obey His
command. A generous person realizes all they have is a blessing from
God, so it belongs to Him anyway. Consequently, they look forward to,
and are excited over any opportunities for expressing their love to God.
One of the most difficult things for some Christians to do is, “give up”
their money. Some consider it as a representation of their time, money,
talents, and total personality, which has been converted into currency.
Some have a stubborn and greedy grip on their money, even though its
value is uncertain, and it is not something they can take with them into
eternity.
The scriptures teach us that we are to be good stewards for the short time
we live here on earth. If we fail to be good stewards (as the man who buried
his talent), we need to remember that we answer to God. Why? Because the
tithe is the Lord’s! When we use His tithe for our own pleasures and desires,
we are robbing God (that’s what we are told in His Word).
Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned
away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return
to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal
rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing
you?’ “In tithes and offerings”.
(Malachi 3:8-9)
I doubt that anyone wants to meet God at the end of their life and hear
Him say, “You have robbed me!” Some find reasons to avoid attending
worship because being there might make them feel an obligation to give
their tithe to God. But God sees what we do (or don’t do), and He knows
when robberies are happening.
Failing to tithe is one indication of our lack of
faith that God can, and will provide for our needs.
It is saying,
“I can’t make it without that money”
which says,
“I don’t have faith that God will provide for my needs.”
In essence, some are saying,
“God, if I don’t rob You, then I cannot fulfill my ‘wants’.
I can’t get the (fill in the blank) that I really want.”
Returning God’s tithe is a starting point, but when we to go beyond the
tithe, it indicates the depth of our gratefulness for God’s blessings to us.
When we have sorrow or troublesome times, our life can still have many
blessings and joys which have been delivered from the hand of God. Our
capacity to love is a gift from God. We show our gratitude by ‘cheerfully’
giving back to Him a portion of what He has given to us (our tithe is the
portion He commands us to give).
Satan wants to persuade us to focus on the minimal ten percent God
commands us to give back to Him, and to overlook the ninety percent
He has given us to use for what we want. It’s a simple choice, isn’t it?
Do we obey our Heavenly Father and tithe from a heart of thankfulness
for His blessings, or do we rob Him so we can fulfill our selfish desires?
ACTION:
Some questions we could ask ourselves:
– Do I have a generous heart?
– Do I expect others to “do for me”, but I struggle in “doing for others”?
– What would I expect God to say to me about what I give back to Him?
– Would He accuse you of robbery, or
would He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in
charge of many things. Come and share your master’s
happiness!”
(Matthew 25:21)
When we read 1 John 3:17, we need to be aware that God expects
us to reach out to others in need; not only with material support,
but with emotional and prayerful support as well. That’s why our
prayer assignments each week are important. It is our opportunity
to express love in a tangible way.
Prayer:
– Deepens our daily fellowship with God.
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can
bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither
can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
(John 15:4)
– Fills our hearts with peace that guards our minds.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
– Aligns our hearts with God’s will.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
(1 John 5:14)
– Releases God’s power through us.
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not
lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life.
I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a
sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray
about that.
(James 5:16)
God may want to use us as His way of communicating to someone
in need and we must decide if we will be useable by Him, or if we
will ignore His ‘call’ and assume He will use someone else as His
venue to express His love and encouragement to someone who is
hurting either physical, or emotionally, or both.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, give me a generous heart that will
not withhold what belongs to You. Thank You for all
You have given me, and for the opportunity to express
my appreciation for your love and blessings. Increase
my faith so I will trust You to supply all my needs, and
I will not be guilty of robbing You so I can take care of
my needs myself. Forgive me if I have used what belongs
to You to fulfill my selfish desires. I pray that You will
teach me to use the spiritual gift You have given me as
a way of showing my gratitude and love for You. Create
in me a desire for You to use me in any way You choose.
Teach me to be a ‘giver’ and someone You can use as a
way of communicating to someone in need.”
BLOG: utvolwoody.wordpress.com
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
Discussion
No comments yet.