Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (NLT)
GIVING OUT OF OBEDIENCE
My experience during COVID-19 lockdown is a proof that the covenant work. At the onset of lockdown, what I had on me was meagre. My income was meagre because of the abrupt closure.
I wrote a cheque of a substantial amount 3 months before the lockdown. It was a seed to a woman of God I revere. I expected the cheque to be cleared on time but they did some days to lockdown, the huge amount was debited from my account. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that everything would go on standstill.
My children began to eat more than I expected. Maybe idleness caused it. One of the days at the onset of lockdown, my wife went to grind pepper. After grinding, the girl who operated the grinding machine mistakenly poured everything on the floor. She returned with nothing. It was a serious issue. From the little we had, my wife and I began to give people in distress. Though it wasn't easy but we did it anyway.
Later, I was prompted to raise money for brethren and missionaries in need. In obedience, we started a fund raising for COVID-19 palliative and we raked in almost a million naira but I didn't take a dime from it though I needed money to feed my family as well.
I sold one of my books for a period of time to raise money for palliative and I faithfully gave all proceeds to those in need and I sent evidence of disbursement to almost everyone who supported the cause. In all of this, we had great needs in the family.
Those who supported the palliative initiative didn't even bother to ask for my account details and I became worried because it was as If I was forgotten. I didn't know it was a test. I told those who asked about my welfare that I was fine. I just didn't want to take advantage of their benevolence at that time and divert funds to myself.
Not long after, someone requested for my account details. l received a "dangerous" alert. Quickly I paid my tithe and I supported brethren in need from the gift. I thought I'll manage the remaining till the end of lock down. Surprisingly, the bank alert of that miraculous supply I received became a monthly thing up until some months after the lockdown.
At the beginning of every new month, before the end of the first five days, dangerous supplies poured in. Miraculously, God paid my school fees( in the seminary) for two straight sessions during the lockdown.
Sacrificial giving is a time tested method of opening the heavens for supernatural supply during scarcity. Those that don't know how to give are not ready to live in plenty during scarcity.
Stop waiting for when you'll have plenty before giving. Giving when you don't have plenty is the way to know if truly you're a giver.
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything (Proverbs 11:24 NLT).
Father, I receive the grace to excel in giving in Jesus name.