Autumn! See the falling leaves? Feel the cool brisk air. Smell the aroma of firewood burning in the fireplace. The turkey and dressing and pecan pie are just around the corner (17 days till Thanksgiving). The holidays are on the horizon. Don’t you just love this time of year? God is so good to us. His blessings are too many to count.
Only eight Sundays left in the year. Let’s finish out 2023 strong and faithful in our giving and in our living. Jesus’ command in LUKE 6:38 is very simple and concise, “Give.” And when we obey His command the results are terrific. “And it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your lap.” Awesome. Will you trust and obey? Happiness and prosperity are waiting.
I read about a man who knelt with his preacher one evening and prayed as he committed himself to give a tenth of what he earned to the Lord. His first week’s pay was $100 so his offering was $10. As he grew older, he became more prosperous and his tenth became $20 and then $50. He moved to another city and soon his tenth became $100 then $200 then $500. He then called his old friend and former preacher to please come by to visit. The preacher arrived at the man’s beautiful house. They had a good time talking over old times and finally, the man came to the point with the preacher, “Do you remember that prayer and promise I made years ago to give the Lord a tenth of all I earned? How can I be released from that promise?” “Why do you want to be released?” asked the preacher. “It’s like this,” the man replied. When I made that promise I only had to give $10, but now my offering is $500. I can’t afford to give away money like that.” The preacher looked at his friend and said, “I’m afraid we can’t get a release from that promise, but there is something we can do. We can kneel right here and ask God to shrink your income so you will only have to give $10 again.” The man didn’t even have to think. He immediately declined. Good decision.
Read in II CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 about giving and receiving. You and I both know this is true. The Holy Spirit writes through Paul, “But this I say; He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” I want to have God’s grace in my life. I want to have sufficiency in all things. I want to have an abundance for every good work. Don’t you? MB
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