Acts4:34-35 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. NLT
A CHANNEL OF BLESSING
I love the opening text. When revival broke out in the early church, they weren't just speaking in tongues without meeting needs neither was evangelism the only thing they did. Those revived souls gave their substance to those in need and to the cause of the gospel. We were told that none lacked among the brethren, why? Because they didn't hold on tightly to what God gave them. They saw their substance as something to be given so that God's people can be comfortable and for the progress of God's work. It may surprise you that revival makes people to be conscious about the need of the brethren and the needs in God's work. There was no place in the book of Acts where the Apostles did a fund raising, yet they had their needs met because revived brethren gave their support.
How were they able to spread the gospel to the unreached of their day? It is obvious that the brethren who were revived and blessed gave their substance for the furtherance of the gospel. They were adequately supported. They did not wait for Peter to do a fund raising service. The early church were not threatened to give to get a "sudden breakthrough" neither were they coerced to give to tap into anointing. They esteemed money less and saw it as a servant. Unrevived souls think God is a money doubler. They are only motivated to give under sweet promises of what they'll get in return not minding what the money would be used for. Revived souls always seek to give their resources to kingdom assignments that touch the heart of God not minding whether they'll be blessed in return. They give for gospel progress.
Your attitude to money can also be one of the pointers to the state of revival in your life. Those that have idolized money do not give to God. Even when they give, their motives are wrong and the state of their heart is not right with God. A young man supported his church financially. When they ordained deacons, his name was omitted. He demanded a refund of his tithes from his Pastor. That's a man who gave with an ulterior motive. When the revival of the Spirit comes into your life, you'll seek ways to help brethren in need regardless of their denomination and doctrinal inclination. You'll be eager to fund soul winning oriented projects and ensure God's servant on the mission field are living well even if the amount is small. I became committed to a missionary's welfare as an undergraduate with my token. On several occasions, my room mates and I accommodated an evangelist who came to evangelize in the university town and surrounding villages. If gimmicks is the only thing you succumb to before giving, you need revival. True revival will make you a channel of blessing.
Father, revive me.