Ever wonder why your giving isn’t reaping to its fullest?
I’ll never forget the first time my husband, Scott, told me that he was writing a check to the church. I was a new Christian at the time, so I was surprised and asked him, “What for?” Scott proceeded to explain to me the biblical principle known as “tithing”, and as believers, we give 10% of our income back to God. Needless to say, I was quite upset but admittedly a little intrigued.
Due to Scott’s faithfulness 23 years ago, we have continued to give back to God every single month. We have been blessed. We have had more than enough money to pay our bills, pay off debt, and live comfortably. In reality, we have been living under the blessing (and certainly not the curse) as described in the book of Deuteronomy. Nevertheless, we’ve never really received any miraculous provision or financial breakthrough we’ve heard of others having.
We started attending a new church a few months ago. It was a decision we did not take lightly, and made only in agreement with each other and at the leading of the Holy Spirit. One of the key factors in choosing a new church was to find one that had financial accountability and was making an impact in the local community. We wanted to be sure our giving would count in the Kingdom of God.
So we decided to partner with our new church and “go all in”. All I can say is, WOW! For the past six months, since we have been sowing financially into our new church home, we have received six significant financial blessings! What confirmation this has been that we have chosen the right church for this season of our lives.
Without getting into too many details, over the past six months, we have received not one but two pay increases, one crazy unexpected bonus, two lucrative investment strategies, and a costly financial planning document provided at no charge to us. It’s as though the doors of heaven have been pouring out a harvest of increase!
Coincidentally, we attended our new church for the first time on Pentecost Sunday. In the New Testament, that was the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church; but before that it was a holiday where the Israelites celebrated an abundant harvest!
As I’ve pondered these amazing blessings, I’ve come to the conclusion that:
1. Faithfulness Brings Increase.
God rewards us as we are faithful to His biblical principles. If we had never decided to give back to God a small portion of all that He has given us, we would never be in the financial position we are in now. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7 NASB). We can decide to be givers or takers. We can faithfully lead by giving of our time, talents and resources to our community and church.
2. Step Out to Find Out.
If things are not working out in your current circumstances, take a small step of faith to see what may happen. You will quickly find out if God’s grace and favor are in that situation or not. If not, then pause, pray, and wait for the Holy Spirit’s leading. If so, then take a step farther toward the places God may be leading you. Change is scary, but without risk, we cannot stretch our faith.
3. Seed is for Planting, not Consumption.
Why did our financial blessings become so much more pronounced once we began giving to another church? John Wimber, a founding leader of the Vineyard Movement said, “The Church is not the building, it’s the people. It’s not just the gathering, it’s also the scattering.” Churches that scatter (or invest) the seed (money) they receive through generous giving, praying, ministering, sending, and planting will reap a great harvest. The seed received is to be sown rather than hidden or hoarded. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25? Only the two men that invested their money were rewarded.
I pray this stirs your heart toward generosity, especially in this season of giving. May your faithfulness to God’s Word bring an increase to your life. As you step into the new things He wants to do in your life, be sure to partner with others who have generous hearts.
UPDATE: 2 more financial blessings since first writing this post! God is so good.