Dr. D's Devotional
Title: Finances 8
by Dennis Reschke
Finances 8
Preparing the soil. The parable of the sower tells us to be
good soil for the Word to grow and multiply in (see also Acts 12:24). Stay
prepared all the time. "Be instant in season and out" (2Tim 4:2). Being
good soil is an attitude of faith, believing all things (1Cor 13:7). After
the soil is prepared, there is a time to plant. We can sow the Word and
we can sow money and expect a return or harvest. Let's look at 2Cor 9. Verse
1: "For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for
me to write to you". If you read the context, you'll note that Paul is speaking
about the Corinthians giving a offering of money to another church. "For
I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the
Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready
to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am
sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter
should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready (to give your offering)
as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you
unprepared, we &emdash;not to say anything about you &emdash;would be ashamed
of having been so confident.: So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers
to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift
you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly
given. Remember this: He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully". So here is a
spiritual principle of sowing and reaping: the harvest is proportional to
the amount given.
The same principle is set forth in Philippians by Paul.
In chapter 4, beginning at verse 14: "Yet it was good of you to share in
my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your
acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church
shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only".
Paul's talking about material things here. "For even when I was in Thessalonica,
you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking
for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I
have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that
I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant
offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet
all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." We like
quoting that last verse a lot, but notice it's in the context of giving.
God meets our needs when we meet other's needs.
Our attitude in giving
must be right. God says if our motives are wrong, we can expect nothing
(Jm 4:3). Picking up again in 2 Cor.: v.7 "Every man according as he purposes
in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God
loves a cheerful giver." The attitude must be joy, not constrained. Now
the context of all this is offerings, not tithing or alms giving. Offerings
are, to a significant extent, volitional. God may tell you to give, but
often He doesn't. He's waiting for us to do it on our own, and then He'll
bless it.
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