Joe sat in his car looking at a check for $63. Disconnect notices from
utilities companies were waiting for him at home. His rent was due and
his bank account depleted. Sixty-three dollars would not be coming next
week, as his customer had concluded their relationship, regretfully.
Joe had promised 30 days earlier to continue to tithe. After he had
quit his job as a division vice president for an insurance company because
of the company’s unscrupulous business practices, Joe had averaged
$186 per week.
Silently Joe said to God, "You are going to get $6.30 out of this
check."
When Joe arrived home, his answering machine had messages from several
companies inviting him to call immediately. Within 30 days, Joe was
receiving $4,000 a month.
Joe Peterson, a church elder, shared this testimony on a Sunday morning
at Calvary Temple (Assemblies of God) in Irving, Texas.
The Bible says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give
into your bosom" (Luke 6:38). That’s the doctrine of the Lord
Jesus. He didn’t say pray, and it will be given. He didn’t
say believe, and it will be given. He didn’t say fast, and it will
be given. He didn’t say cry, and it will be given. He said, "Give,
and it shall be given unto you."
God wants you to live a generous life. "I have showed you all
things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give
than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
Living a life of giving is an important teaching in the Scriptures.
The essence of God is giving. John 3:16 says, "God so loved the
world that he gave." He gave His own Son, His best gift. He emptied
heaven of the most priceless treasure and gave Him unconditionally.
He gave Jesus, even though we did not deserve, desire or love Him. When
we give of ourselves and our possessions, we become more like God.
Giving draws you closer to God. "Where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). Your heart follows your
treasure. Your treasure could be your investments. What’s the Dow
Jones today? What’s NASDAQ doing? If you put your money in the
Dallas Cowboys season ticket plan, then you have an interest, an investment,
in the Dallas Cowboys football team. Who are the recruits? Who will
win this Sunday? If you invest your income in the work of God, your
heart follows your investment.
Giving strengthens your faith. Giving is not a matter of generosity
or need; it’s a matter of trust. Giving is the faith test. "Bring
ye all the tithes into the storehouse … and prove me. … See
if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour you out a
blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi
3:10).
Joe could not afford to give $6.30 of his last $63. His faith in God
– not his own understanding – caused him to give $6.30 as
an eternal investment.
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows generously will also reap generously" (2 Corinthians 9:6,
NIV). Your giving predetermines your miracle, your harvest.
Determine today to live a generous life.
