Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass; Psalms 37:5.
Anytime you give, you make a sacrifice. Giving is denying self for the common good of the larger society or for specific individuals. Giving is a grace from God and a commitment to sacrifice for the other person(s). True and genuine givers who give cheerfully and willingly knows this. David who relied on God said he will not give anything that will cost nothing to God; 2 Samuel 24:24 '...Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Just like our outer man (body) and our soul (mind, will and emotions) grows or matures our inner man which is the real you must mature after the new birth. Maturity comes with commitment and wisdom. A matured Christian graduates from reliance on man to total and complete reliance on God. A matured Christian graduates from the principle "Give and it shall be given unto you...' (Luke 6:38) to Sacrificial Giving. When Moses was a baby and a young man he needed the support and safe haven offered by his Egyptian parents. But when he grew up as a matured Jew he gave up the luxurious lifestyle offered by his Egyptian parents and chose affliction; Hebrews 11
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Christian maturity comes with the choice to give not because you have in excess or will receive. You commit your care unto God. You give your savings whilst you commit your need(s) to the care of God. This is what those at the receiving end don't know. They cannot fathom how you can give whilst you equally had a need to cater for. You equally have bills to pay and children and a wife to cater for. You have taste and passion for fashion and dressing good but you forego that designer shoe or suit in order to give to meet the requirements of the Kingdom Business or others. Anytime we give we sacrifice but it does not hurt because we give cheerfully from our inner man.
We give having Psalm 37 verses 5, 39 & 40 in mind:
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
We trust in the Lord. We trust in Him, confident that He will give seed to the sower. Seed are to be sown not to be eaten or stored (saved in your bank account). So the giver have just what to eat and the rest is sown in Kingdom Business and others. 2 Corinthians 9:10 says 'Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;'
Our contemporary circumstances have made it easy and attractive to rely on our own efforts and on others. Social welfare has shifted our attention from God. Some babes in Christ turn to prostitution or fornication to get money or have their needs met.
Total and Complete reliance on God motivates Givers to give after taking out their tithes and offerings for Kingdom Business.
Don't turn to God as a last option when that young man or woman breaks your heart. Pray to God for your spouse to be. Don't wait till you need help before you turn to God. Don't go to the Banks, family, friends or money lenders before you turn to God. Bible says if a man's ways pleases the Lord He causes his enemies to be at peace with him; Proverbs 16:7 'When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.'
God will take care of you if you trust in Him.
Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA
