TEXT:
‘The best of all firstfruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest’s; also you shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, to cause a blessing to rest on your house’ (Ezekiel 44:30)
THOUGHT:
Most churches have had the unfortunate experience of people leaving whenever the subject of giving arises. I have experienced it myself on a number of occasions. It’s amazing how many churchgoers want the place of worship to remain in their community but are not prepared to adequately fund its continued existence!
Many times fear prevents leaders from plainly speaking about money, yet it is a subject that needs to be clearly taught because the Bible has so many references to it. I make no apologies that “Giving” is the theme of Today’s Teaching because I want “Blessing” to come.
Reading through the Book of Ezekiel, I came across this wonderful text. Who would not want a blessing to come on their house? This verse shows one of the ways we can help bring that about.
- Giving helps prevent selfishness
‘Whose heart is in his giving’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP). It’s possible to give but begrudge having done so. Rich people can give a lot yet their heart may not be in their giving, if they have a selfish attitude when it comes to finance. The same can be true for poor people. They may be able to only give a small amount, yet resent having to give the little they do have, while at the same time envious of those who have more.
The question is, “Is my heart truly in my giving?” So many are asking during this pandemic, “What is being done for me?” The questions I want to ask are, “What are you doing for others?” and “Has your level of giving increased or decreased since the start of Covid-19?”
Obviously the Lockdown has had very serious financial implications for millions, yet adversity is always an opportunity to shine. The millions of pounds raised by Captain Tom and many others prove that people do have a desire to give when the cause touches their heart. It is always a shame if the world outshines the church when it comes to giving.
- The fundamental differences between a curse and a blessing
The intention of God is that we would live under blessing not the curse. ‘Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse’ (Deuteronomy 11:26). Obedience would bring the blessing, but disobedience the curse. When we consider the difference, no one would willingly choose the curse.
The curse takes away but blessing brings increase
Jesus said, ‘The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy’ (John 10:10), but Jabez prayed, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory’ (1 Chronicles 4:9). God answered his prayer!
The curse is negative but blessing is positive
News media flood television screens with the bad news but Christians can believe, ‘God is working all things together for good for those who love Him’ (Romans 8:28). Joseph said to his brothers, ‘You meant it for evil but God meant it for good’ (Genesis 50:20). He went on to promise that he would bless, protect and provide for them.
The curse is the result of fear but blessing is the result of faith
Fear causes us to keep everything for ourselves, not give or share in case we do not have enough. Faith believes that giving will be blessed by God. ‘It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself’ (Proverbs 11:24-25 TLB).
The curse is the Devil working against us but blessing is God working for us
When trouble hit Job, Satan’s intention was for him to curse God and die. Even his wife urged him to do just that. God’s intention was for Job to come through his ordeal and end up with double.
The Bible assures us, ‘The curse without cause does not come’ (Proverbs 26:2 AMP). We do not have to fear what trouble may come from the devil when we are doing what God wants us to do.
- There is a responsibility for a recipient to become a giver
This is particularly true for those in Africa. The hand held out to receive must learn to give. God’s giving principles work everywhere in the world! God’s seed will always grow when planted in the ground He created. It will produce a harvest far greater than the amount of seed planted.
I have had the joy of raising money for Rwanda. I wish I had been able to raise thousands of pounds more in order to bless other countries. Now I want to hear testimonies from those who have received this aid, as to how they have been able to bless others.
Part 2 of this teaching will look at how giving changed the desperate situation of a home into one that was blessed.
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