I want to exhort you today to pray that the Lord will help you to be faithful with your seed and giving. Many of us are not faithful with our seeds and giving.
“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; [2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; [4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. [5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. [6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. [8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. [9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
The Apostle Paul is teaching us about his experience with the church in Macedonia and entreating us to learn from them. This is not a commandment but an admonition to prove the sincerity of our love for God and for the apostle.
He recounts how the church in Macedonia gave and gave beyond the measure of their capacity. They gave and gave even in their poverty and lack. They gave beyond what they could even afford, but the beauty is that they gave themselves first. He was, therefore, encouraging the church in Corinth as I am encouraging you now to learn to give.
He was encouraging them to give because of the following reasons;
1. Givers never lack:
You will never lack when you learn to be faith with money. God will open heaven over you and rebuke every devourer. You will step into abundance and never lack. Givers never lack.
2. Giving is the 6th grace we must abound in:
Yes, many of us have abounded in the grace of faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, and love, but this is the time to abound in the grace of giving also.
3. Your giving causes thanksgiving to abound to Heaven:
When ever we give, it cause thanks to asecnd to heaven and it builds a memorial before God. Anytime anybody says thank you to you, God takes notice of it.
4. Our barns will be filled with plenty:
The Bible teaches that when we learn to honour God with our substance our barns shall be filled with plenty. May your barns be filled with plenty, amen!
5. Our giving helps us to expand and prosper:
Truly, “a liberal soul shall be made fat”. When we learn to give, we will see grace for growth and enlargement.
6. We will reap in due season, when we least expect:
Finally, if you don’t become weary in well doing, you will reap in due season, and when you least expect. I see enlargement coming your way!. Your seed will make room for you.
The following are simple steps to give;
1. Purpose
Resolve that you will be faithful with your tithes, seeds, and offering. Make it your goal for life. Resolve and you will be able to do it.
2. Plan
Set clear goals for your giving. Break the goals down to little attainable chunks. Set aside your seed whenever God blesses and increases you.
3. Package and Deliver:
The Bible requires that you put it in a basket or envelop and bring it to the altar. The altar is the best place to give an offering, seed or tithe..
I pray that all of you will be committed to giving and never miss an occasion to give. I have no doubt that increase is coming. This is our time! This is the time to show your love for God and His apostle.
I love you
Pastor Noah Simpe
