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 tendencies to be selfish.
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 that everything they have is a
blessing FROM God, so it belongs TO Him anyway. Consequently, they
look forward to, and are even excited about any opportunities they have
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, value,
talents, and total personality, that 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. God knows the challenge tithing can be for some and He
tells us to ‘give it a try’ and test the depth of our faith.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be
food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty,
“and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and
pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough
to store it.
(Malachi 3:10)
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 folks find reasons for avoiding
attending worship services because being there might make them feel
an obligation to give their tithe to God. But God sees everything 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 basically 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 can’t 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 give beyond the
tithe, it indicates the depth of our gratitude for God’s blessings to us.
When we are faithful to the Lord, our life can be blessed from the hand
of God, even during sorrow or troublesome times.
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, but the depth
of our love for Him could motivate us to return more than a tithe).
Satan wants to persuade us to focus on the minimal ten percent God
commands us to give back to Him. The evil one wants us to overlook
the ninety percent God 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 out
of 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 it is important for
followers of Jesus to pray for others. 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 usable by Him, or if we
will ignore His ‘call’. When God calls on us, we can’t assume He
will use someone else as His venue to express encouragement and
love to someone who is hurting either physically, emotionally, or
both. God wants us involved and that’s why we were called by Him.
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. Help me to realize
that You didn’t save me to be independent of You and
trying to take care of my needs myself. Remind me that
You want my dependence on You. 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 and others. Create in me a desire for You to use
me in any way You choose. Teach me to be a ‘giver’ and
‘faithful believer’ You can use whenever You want to
communicate to others in need.”
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