sgys banner books

What excuse has been made for not giving? The fact that many of us have been exploited by the false prophets of the prosperity movement, in no way negates our responsibility to give as God has commanded. So, it’s time to get over the past. We should consider repenting for our own sins that caused us to support such greedy wolves, and take personal accountability to give, give, give.

Have you judged the LORD’s servants and made that your excuse for not helping?

“The principal hindrance to the advancement of the kingdom of God is greed. It is the chief obstacle to heaven-sent revival. It seems that when the back of greed is broken, the human spirit soars into regions of unselfishness. I believe that it is safe to say there can be no continuous revival without ‘hilarious’ giving. And I fear no contradiction: wherever there is ‘hilarious’ giving there will soon be revival!” — O.S. Hawkins, U.S. Baptist pastor

Nothing to give? Why?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

After all, God sees our hearts and our expenditures.

The LORD saw when we knew someone had a need and yet we didn’t help (Proverbs 24:10-12). See 1 John 3:16-18 and James 2:14-17.

We must become honest and understand that God saw when money was spent on frivolous things and the work of the Gospel was not put as a priority (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).

Our Almighty Judge sees all the monies squandered on creature comforts by those who claim to know and love Him. He sees all and will judge each of us accordingly (Proverbs 15:3; Matthew 25:40-46).

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16

The most important work of Christ goes undone due to the withholding of the very ones who claim to be saved. How deluded this generation!

Is it any wonder that Jesus told us that there are only a “few” that are only a few who are on that narrow road that lead to Heaven? (Matthew 7:13-14) Are we going to choose to give up our lives in this world to gain it eternally with Christ?

“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:25

You see, if your money isn’t given over to God, it’s because your heart and life are not given over to Him. Go on from here continuing to deceive yourself if you will, but it will be to your own eternal demise if you do.

The nail-scarred risen Savior says that one must give his “all” to be His “disciple”:

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33 

If Christ is truly reigning in our lives, He has our hearts, our ears, and all, otherwise, we are His very “enemies”:

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27  

Just why would someone spend most all their money on their self? Why does the very ONE who allowed those resources to come into our hands get a mere token tip instead of the very FIRST portion of honor? That’s what the Pharisees did – they merely tipped God and Jesus said their giving was not honored (Mark 12:38-41). The LORD did not honor their token tipping and He doesn’t honor ours – “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:44) Jesus taught that the woman who gave all was honored by God but not the rich who claimed to be God’s children and merely tipped His work.

Early church example of giving:

“Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:29-30 

James Kevin Smith writes:

“What portion does a slave own of what belongs to his master? The yield of the property belongs to the property owner. Stewards only tend the matters of their master. They do not own that which their master has intrusted to them.”

What shall you take with you?

“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.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8 

Tipping God to make ones conscience feel better is a self-serving cover up and a sin.

Are you honoring God? Truly want to know?

“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

Is it time to get real with the LORD and truly “honour” Him? Is it time to get your checkbook out and be a blessing to someone in need and a ministry work of Christ?

It was the religionists who shunned the man in need as they passed by and saw him in need (Luke 10:29-37). This means that their religious profession was all they had – they did not have salvation. Regrettably, there is no change today (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The vast majority of those who claim to be saved today, do nothing to help others with the financial substance that God Himself put in their hands and will be judged for this evil refusal.  The earliest followers of Christ had much less materially but didn’t need a message like this. They were truly saved – truly given over to the LORD – and therefore took the initiative and sold what they didn’t need to give to others who lacked and for Christ’s work to be spread/furthered (Acts 2:44-48; 4:34-35).  Be not deceived:  The LORD is watching what we are doing.

*** IF you don’t give to the work of the ministry, it’s because HIS work and HE mean nothing to you. You spend money to embellish yourself with unneeded things but neglect HIS work. This reveals who you truly love. The point is, many give out of LOVE for self and this fleeting world. They find is so very easy to bless self and why? Because self is king not the Savior. Our giving to self and the things of self that self doesn’t even need, shows us that we don’t truly love Jesus but love self and this sinful world (1 John 2:15; James 4:4). What did Jesus say to Laodicea? (Rev. 3:15-16) We love self and that’s why we give to self, self, self. See 1 John 3:18 and Titus 1:16.

Do you really care that Christ’s sheep are fed?

Do YOU care if souls are won into God’s kingdom?

If so, what are YOU personally doing about it? What are you doing to help this happen?

Didn’t Jesus tell us that our bank statement/check register reveals where our heart truly is? (Matthew 6:19-21)

THIS is the real test given in Scripture as to whether or not we are truly given over to the LORD, or not!

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

The Worship of Giving [podcast]

WHERE to Give Your Money and Where Not to Give it

Rich in Faith

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]


PRAY

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God

Support | STORE | Podcasts |

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Abiding

Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]


“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).

If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin

Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!

Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 

Support | STORE | Podcasts | ChristologyBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Modern ChurchPeace with GodThe Cross | Christ-Centered Podcasts |

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Articles

The Book of Proverbs Alexander Scourby [video]


Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | 100’s of Christ-centered Podcasts | Bible Books Narrated | Bible Study Helps | The Book of James Narrated [podcast] | The Book of Revelation Narrated [podcast]Colossians Overview [podcast]

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Categories

donate button round
sgys-books01

Trending