Proving Jesus Matters to You [podcast]

Kingdom Opportunity 

“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

May our LORD bless each of us to be cultivated in a heart filled with sincere and true worship and thanksgiving to Him.

“…freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

We should understand that we have freely received the salvation of our God in Christ and that those who don’t give out of the mercy, forgiveness, love, supply that He has given us, are not in God’s will. Out of what God gives us we give out and this clearly proves we have given ourselves to the LORD. We are not still serving the false god of self and therefore mammon (Matthew 6:19-24). When Jesus spoke of giving and it will given back to us, He’s speaking of all these things and not just giving out of the monies God has prospered us with (Luke 6:38).

Are we living content or covetous?

Are we losing our lives in this fleeting world as the LORD instructed? (Matthew 10:39)

Are we chasing what we don’t have or cherishing what we do have and giving out of our supply from the LORD?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10

What’s the purpose? What is our giving to be used for?

1. To feed the poor saints (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
2. To supply the called out elders of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.).

Stewarding the Temporal Treasure He Allows into our Hands in this Brief Life

Like the widow with a mere 2 mites (equals less than a penny), each of us has something to give.

Each of us are accountable before our God for what He’s given us.  When God increases us financially, it’s not to expand our own portfolio but rather our giving – to lay up treasure in Heaven, not on earth, just as Jesus instructed (Matthew 6:19-24). Read Christ’s severe warning on this in Luke 12. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48)

Let us rid our minds of the “somebody else will do it” notion. May we give our of what our LORD has given us and we know He gave His all – His only begotten Son for our sins.

Speaking of using what God has ALREADY given us for His glory, Charles Pray writes:

“Some have not received the Blessings of God just because they haven’t given out the blessings of God to all those around them daily!” Charles Pray

Sent this out on social media recently:

“It is MORE blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

When we look around us at what is counted important, coveted, and lusted after, this seems to proves that so many are consummately in love with the god of self, unrepentant, and refuse to give up their lives in this present world for the One they claim saved them – just as it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:36-51).

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

God looks at 2 things concerning giving – and yes HE is watching you:

1. Your heart posture 2 Corinthians 9:7, and
2. The % of what you give as opposed to what you keep for yourself (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 16:19-31)

If we lack giving to the needy in Christ and the ministry of Christ in our day, what does that reveal? (Matthew 25:40-46)

Talk is cheap (1 John 3:18; James 2:18; Titus 1:16; Matthew 7:21). Repentance is real. It always, with no exception, brings forth the fruit of a changed life (Matthew 3:7-10).

The LORD commanded and fully expects you to obey Him (John 14:15; 15:14).

Will we say …

“Dear child of God, I know you have a need but I’ve got things more important than you and Jesus. Dear servant of Jesus, quit feeding Christ’s sheep as He sent you to do! Be yet another Gospel laborer who leaves his God-ordained post! We are going to continue to help the enemy of Christ attack His work and workers by making sure Jesus’ Gospel labourers are grossly under-supported!!!”

Or, will you declare ….

“Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I am going to love, worship, and serve You supremely and not myself. Thank You LORD for the resources You’re putting into my hands. I will obey You and take of them and bless your people who are in need and Your workers, Your work, the Gospel of Christ!”

Shall we step up and make sure the people and work of the One we claim to serve is fully cared for and supported?

Are we not being tested by the One who gave all? Is He not the One who gave us all we currently have? What shall we do with Him and what He’s given? Does He not own all? Will He has already given not fill us up again and again and again?

The following is a richly telling, revealing passage. Please allow your brother in Christ to exhort you to get to know this well….

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 

Among other things here in this 4 verse passage, we see …

1. That Jesus went out to the people and taught them, preached to them His gospel and demonstrated it by healing them, making them whole (v35).
2. Our LORD was “moved with compassion on them”, seeing they had no Savior (v36).
3. Then Jesus tells us of the great harvest that awaits us, that is all around us! (v37)
4. The passage closes with Christ’s instruction for us, His people, to pray that the “LORD of the harvest … will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (v38)

Are we praying for our LORD’s labourers to be sent forth? Are you participating also by supplying them?

What’s the purpose? What is our giving to be used for?

1. To feed the poor saints (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
2. To supply the called out elders of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.).

The LORD clearly established that those who do His work, the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth, are entitled to be paid and those fed by them are privileged to assist in supplying such. And He also establishes that He will bless them now and forever for doing so (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). 

Dollar Dialogue

What shall we say to Him on that day?

Oh, and don’t feel sorry for those who’ve answered the call of god to minister to his people. No, you may wish to pity those Christ-professors who are fed by the ministry of Christ and yet refuse to bother to ever give even a token tip to the LORD’s work. Fear for their souls because the One who gave them all they have is watching how they spend every penny of it.

More on the Biblical Topic of Giving

Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom! | Waste | Stewardship | Giving

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-powerful-furtherance-of-the-gospel/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/a-faithful-man-shall-abound-with-blessings-podcast/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/he-that-loveth-pureness-of-heart/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/fresh-start-with-god/