HOW TO MAKE 2024 COUNT Pt.17
Proverbs11:24 Give freely and become more wealthy;be stingy and lose everything
CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF GIVING
As a university student, from my very first year until the last, my total monthly stipend was N10,000. Out of this little money, I paid my tithe regularly and supported a missionary occasionally with N2000.
It was not easy on me because the cost of living in my school was very high yet I survived. However, I saw a worthy kingdom cause that needed my little support and I gave it. I wished I had more then. Since I gave my life to Christ till now, the Holy Spirit keeps dealing with the spirit of stinginess in me. Often times, I am led to give in an unusual way.
It is antithetical to be stingy and still be a believer at the same time. Stinginess and Christianity don't mix. Those that find it hard to give are greedy people who have become slaves to material things.
A wise man said, "Giving is the proof that you have conquered greed". I cannot agree less. Greedy people always want to have but never wanting to give.
There is a saying that giving is living. The sustenance of life and all living thing depends on giving. At certain time of the day, plants give out oxygen that we need for our survival while they take in the carbon dioxide we breathe out for their survival.
No matter how people campaign against giving, it is God's divine order for living and increase. Proverbs 11:24 says "Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything".
God designed a system where increase is dependent on giving. It is a natural principle. God the father gave Christ to the world so that sinners can be saved. Our salvation was perfected because God gave Christ to the lost world. What If Christ was not given, would there be any other viable alternative? No.
This year, I want to implore that you become an addicted giver. We do not give because we have rather we give to have. The word of God is clear on this subject. In 2Corinthians 8, Apostle Paul gave us biblical guidelines on giving. He enjoined that we give cheerfully, bountifully and without coercion or manipulation.
Galatians 6:7 says, "Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant"( NLT). This a divine principle that relates to all aspect of our lives, not money alone. Whatever you give is a seed, it carries the potential of a harvest in it.
This year, start sowing good seeds on good soil through quality giving. Start with the kingdom. In your local assembly, your giving ensures the church runs properly. That's what they use in organizing programmes, maintenance, outreaches and for minister's welfare. Hope you know it is scriptural to pay those who labour in the word and doctrine?( Read 1Tim 5:17-22, 1 Cor 9:13-14, Gal 6:6).
Also, there are missionaries on the field among unreached people, labouring to see souls saved, do ensure you extend your giving to them. Include them in your financial budget this year.
The poor, the widow and less- privileged should be on your list this year and forever. There is a reward for this.
Father, I receive the grace to be an addicted giver In Jesus name.