A Generous God, and a Generous People

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A GENEROUS GOD
and
A GENEROUS PEOPLE

 By
Buddy Axley

(All scriptures taken from the Amplified Version
of the Bible unless otherwise noted.)

Foreword  

            God is generous therefore His people are also destined to be generous.  Generosity is one identifiable characteristic of the true believer.  In contrast, selfishness is an obvious characteristic of the person who does not know or who does not have a good personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Therefore if selfishness or a lack of generosity exists in a christian this indicates a lack of knowledge, an unrenewed mind, a lack of obedience, and a definite quenching of the Holy Spirit.

            We can readily see that the believer that consistently has a generous spirit is one who allows the Holy Spirit to manifest His fruit.  If we refer to Galatians 5:22, we find that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the "work which His presence within accomplishes".  It is God's love.  God's love, according to I Cor. 13:5, is not selfish or self-seeking. It is kindness and goodness which means benevolence. In Galatians 5:14, we find that the whole law of Christ, concerning human relationships, is found in the one precept, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

            If we desire to be christians that reflect the character of Jesus, we must learn to be more and more generous in heart and in deed.  Our witness to the world that we hope to reach for Jesus, our Lord, depends on the way we treat one another in the body of Christ as well as how we treat our neighbors who are lost and perishing without Christ.  

Introduction

            In these writings it is our desire to show you and convince you that one of the basic characteristics of God is to give or to be generous.  Although few would deny the loving and giving nature of our Heavenly Father, we who are His sons and daughters could deny this virtue by the manner in which we see, understand, and practice generosity.  Jesus said, "You, therefore must be perfect (that is, grow in complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity" (Matt. 5:48).  It will be difficult to convince others of God's love if we are not manifesting constantly His generosity.  A very familiar scripture that almost all christians know is John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  He gave His best: His only Son.  He gave to us, and all who would believe, in that act of love and generosity everything we would ever need. Through Jesus, the Son of God, we received life eternal and life abundant.  We were rescued from a hopeless doom, we were forgiven our sins, we were healed of our sicknesses and diseases, we were freed in our minds, we were supplied daily by His divine provision, and we were empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life here on the earth.  Since this generosity is the heart of God, we need to demonstrate the same.  "Therefore be imitators of God - copy Him and follow His example - as well-beloved children (imitate their father)" (Eph. 5:1).

            As we will see in the following chapters, the virtue of generosity was instituted from the beginning in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            I would ask you to please read these chapters in the order in which they are presented so that you can get a good understanding of the will of God in this area of your christian life.  Thank you.

            Remember: Generosity is the heart of God.  Therefore generosity must begin in our hearts!

God's Church is a Generous Church  

            We find the characteristic of generosity working among those first converts to faith in Jesus Christ from the very beginning of the existence of the New Testament church, as found in Acts, Chapter 2:41-47.

            God was able, through these new converts, to put forth a viable witness to the world of that day.  The entire populace was amazed and astonished at the way those believers conducted their daily lives.  Take a look at the manifestations of God's presence in their lives.

            They were a steadfast, persevering, and devoted people. They were submitted to the teaching of the Word, to the sharing of their food (generosity) and to the habit of prayer with one another (vs 42).  The reverential fear of God was present among all of the people and God performed many signs and wonders in their midst (vs 43).  They were united, that is were in unity  having the same mind, same heart and same feelings, and had everything in common (generosity) (vs 44).   Here is the second time in two verses we see mentioned the manifestation of generosity.  In verse 45 once again a marvelous occurrence happened as they began to sell their possessions (this included property and personal possessions) so that they could help those who had needs among them.  This generous action gave them an atmosphere in which they could congregate and fellowship with one united purpose while continuing to share with one another with gladness and simplicity.  In the Amplified Bible it says, "and with generous hearts" (vs 46).  "They were constantly praising God and had favor and goodwill with all the people, and the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved" (vs 47).

            I want you to notice that no one but God Himself brought this about.  He did this by working in and through the hearts of His people.  Remember verse 46, "generous hearts".  God is glorified when He transforms us from a selfish, self-centered individual, to a generous, caring one.  Being generous is abnormal human behavior. It definitely attracts attention and brings forth a testimony of God's love.

            Very soon after this initial manifestation of love and generosity in the church, we see the continuance of the same in Acts 4:32-35.  "Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was (exclusively) his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all" (vs 32).  Selfishness is possessiveness or that is to say it is not allowing the things that are entrusted to us to be available to others who have a need.  Only the Holy Spirit can free us of possessiveness and give us a desire to be generous.  We find unity and generosity creating once again an environment for ministry with power, for great grace to be bestowed, and for favor and goodwill to rest upon the people (vs 33).

            Have you ever thought what blessings are found in favor and goodwill?  The greek meaning of the word "favor" as found in these passages in Acts signifies "a divine influence upon the heart of a person that brings forth benefits, gifts, joy, liberality, pleasure and thanksgiving".  Goodwill is self explanatory, simply meaning voluntary good will instead of purposed ill will, being exercised by a person.  I have found favor and goodwill necessary to survive as a servant of God. If we are depending upon God to take care of us and supply us with all our needs, we must have His divine favor in our lives.  This favor produces a divine influence in others so that they can be vessels in which God can also provide for us.  It is good to take note, however, that favor and goodwill operate in an environment of generosity.  We must be generous to receive divine favor and goodwill.  We reap what we sow!  It is more blessed to give than to receive!  However, take note that Jesus did not say that it is was not a blessing to receive.  He said it was more blessed to give, knowing that as we give and are generous, we will receive what we need.  "Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sale, and laid it at the feet of the apostles(special messengers).  Then distribution was made according as anyone had need" (vs 34-35).

            We must see here that no man demanded that the church sell their possessions, nor was there any apparent coercion to do so. Instead there was voluntary, Spirit-led generosity erupting among the saints because of a concern for one another's welfare.

            We must not confuse what was happening there among those christians with what we may see through the manipulation of greedy, selfish men who are even present in the church today and who are trying to impose mandatory liberality upon us.  If we are seeking God, being concerned for one another, and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit then it is certain that God will show us how to be generous without the compelling attempts of persons with impure motives or who seek selfish gain.  God watches us to see how we will manage our possessions.  We have the choice of handling them correctly to His glory or of handling them incorrectly to His shame.  "Do not gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.  But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also" (Matt. 6:19-21).

            We can see in the beginning of Acts, Chapter 5, with the incident of Ananias and Sapphira what Peter told them about their possessions.  "But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should (in violation of your promise) withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?  As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own?  And (even) after it was sold was not (the money) at your disposal and under your control?" (vs 3-4).  We should note that the land was in the control of Ananias and Sapphira, the owners, as were the proceeds from the sale of the land.  No one forced them to sell the land or to give up the money.  What happened here was obviously a tactic of Satan to mock the generosity of those in the church who were voluntarily giving up their possessions for the benefit of others who had needs.  Notice that this is a heart issue.  "Why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit....?  (vs 3).  "..... Why then is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? - How could you have the heart to do such a deed?  You have not (simply) lied to men - playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful - but to God" (vs 4).

            We learn from the following verses that this selfish, greedy act performed by this couple in the midst of a spirit of generosity caused their instant death.  We need to thank God for His mercy towards us because we too have been insincere and have broken commitments to be generous with others.  Many might say that it was unfair of God to strike them down like He did, but we must realize the intense fervor of the Holy Spirit as He worked among the people manifesting His love through generosity.  We may escape death, but we won't escape the consequences of being selfish, greedy and deceitful with what we possess.

            Many of us do not understand why our finances are always so tight and why we are having so many unexpected expenses that rob us of our resources.  Let me give you a consideration.  God can't rebuke the devourer of those who rob Him and who ignore His generous nature.  God desires to flow His blessings to us; but we must learn and walk in His principles of giving in order to receive His divine provision and protection.

            In a later letter to the church found in II Corinthians 8:12-15, we can find further explanation pertaining to God's attitude on generosity.  "For if the eager readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.  For it is not (intended) that other people be eased and relieved (of their responsibility) and you be burdened and suffer (unfairly)" (vs 12-13).  Here it is plainly stated that God does not expect us to give what we do not have, or to be victims of people's lack of responsibility, laziness or taking advantage of us for the purpose of acquiring the help they want.

            The following verses, however, show us that God does expect us to share so there will be no unnecessary lack among us. "But to have equality -- share and share alike -- your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that (at some other time) their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want.  Thus there may be equality.  As it is written, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack" (vs 14-15). To the generous heart and mind, having an abundance or surplus of resources gives the opportunity to help and assist others.  To the selfish heart and mind, having an abundance or surplus of resources gives a sense of false security, and an attitude of hoarding and storing these resources until a need arises in their own lives. I John 3:17-19, "But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?  Little children, let us not love (merely) in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).  By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence."  Think about this the next time you find yourself with an abundance.  Do you think of how you could share with others that have a need or do you only think of how much longer these resources could supply you with what you need?  In other words, using this example, if you were to receive a million dollars, what would be the first things you would think of?  Would they be of how many of the things you have always wanted you could now have?  Or would they be of how much you could do to further the Gospel and help those who you know that have needs?  We can readily see that "as a man thinks in his heart so is he" (Prov. 23:7).  "Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously and that blessings may come to someone, will also reap generously and with blessings.  Let each one (give) as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (that is, He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, prompt-to-do-it) giver - whose heart is in his giving" (II Cor. 9:6-7).  Once again, I must repeat what God's word says.  We reap what we sow!  We see from the preceding scripture that this sowing or giving is completely voluntary and is not blessed by God if it is not generosity motivated by our own heart's desire.  How important is the "generosity" of God's people?  Verse 7 says God loves and takes pleasure in, prizes above other things and is UNWILLING TO ABANDON a cheerful, prompt giver. Hallelujah!  Lord, let our hearts be in our giving so that we can experience the joy of flowing in your generous Spirit.  Amen.

            God's church is a generous church. It was from the beginning and it still should be.  God has not changed His mind about the manner in which the church should function in the area of generosity.  We may have lost the vision or strayed away from His will in this area, but God's vision of generosity, care and concern for one another and our neighbors has never changed.

The Matter of Prosperity

            The matter of prosperity has been a subject of much discussion in recent years in the body of Christ.  Many believers, without a renewed mind, are attracted to the false doctrines of men that offer "get rich schemes" through their teachings.  The Lord intends to bless us and to provide for us, even abundantly; but we must understand the difference between His purposes and the world's purposes.  He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, but this provision is for the total being, spirit, soul, and body, and must begin and have its basis in our hearts (spirits).       God blesses us so that we can be a channel of blessing.

            Some years back the Lord gave me some spiritual illustrations of His desire to make us vessels.  He first showed me a clear, flowing stream and then a stagnant pond.  Here is the big difference between true and false prosperity.  True prosperity (generosity) flows continuously whereas false prosperity (selfishness) only has an entrance but has no exit so it stagnates. Next, the Lord showed me two pieces of pipe.  One was one and a half inches in diameter and the other was six inches in diameter.  He then showed me that the one and a half inch pipe was mostly clogged and stopped up so there was not much flowing out.  He showed me that the six inch pipe, however, was larger and had more capacity to flow and had less tendency to clog up.  He showed me that the six inch pipe was once a one and a half inch pipe but because it desired to carry more volume and be used in a greater way, he had enlarged it to six inches.  This is the principle of God's prosperity: "No Flow, No Growth".  This applies in all areas: spirit, soul, and body. 

            He then showed me a person with their hands stretched out.  Things were entering into the left hand and leaving from the right hand.  This person was very happy and joyful to be a vessel.  He then showed me a person with their hands stretched out but the things that were entering into the left hand were not leaving from the right hand.  This person was inflating like a balloon until finally he exploded and was destroyed.  He was not a vessel and what a miserable person he was.

            You see, until we realize what true, godly prosperity is we will only think of accumulating material possessions and wealth for ourselves.  Too many people think prosperity only applies to material things and money.  But true prosperity always begins from the inside of man and works its way outward.  "Blessing be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (Holy Spirit given) blessing in the heavenly realm" (Eph. 1:3).  "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit (assuring us) that we are children of God, and if we are (His) children then we are (His) heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:16-17). For more about our inheritance, benefits and promises in the Lord, spirit, soul and body, please read Isaiah 53:4-5; Psalms 103:1-12; and II Peter 1:2-11.

            In III John verse 2, we find a prayer of blessing that explains what is true, godly prosperity.  "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and (that your body) may keep well, even as (I know) your soul keeps well and prospers."  As we continue to read in the following verses 3-11, we find that John was commending the church for the service they were rendering to the traveling christians by supporting them and providing for them.  He was rejoicing that they were living their lives in the Truth.  He also was warning them not to follow the example of one of the so-called leaders who was rejecting these saints and refusing them hospitality and help.  His counsel was, "Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good.  He who does good is of God, he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God -- has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all" (vs 11).

            The greek word "soul" found in verse 2 signifies "spirit" or "heart" again indicating that divine prosperity always begins in the heart or spirit of the believer.  Look what an effect this true prosperity can have in our physical bodies also.  "Beloved, I pray that you prosper in every way and that your body may keep well, even as I know your soul (spirit, heart) keeps well...." (vs 2).  I know of many materially prosperous people who are tormented mentally and are constantly sick in their bodies even unto death, because they do not have a prosperous soul (heart, spirit).  These people do not experience true, godly prosperity because they are basically selfish and greedy.  Jesus addressed this issue in Luke 12:15.  "And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance, or that which is over and above his needs."

            Jesus then told a parable of a rich man who prospered and decided to store up his goods.  He said to himself: "And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many good things laid up, (enough) for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself merrily. But God said to him, You fool!  This very night they (the messengers of God) will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be?  So it is with the one who continues to lay up and hoard possessions for himself and is not rich (in his relation) to God (this is how he fares)" (Luke 12:19-21).  How does he fare?  "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life  (his blessed life in the kingdom of God)?  Or what would a man give as an exchange for his (blessed) life (in the kingdom of God)?" (Mat 16:26).  This false, ungodly prosperity is always a losing proposition.

            Who is a poor person in the sight of God?  He is one who has a poverty spirit - a possessive, greedy and selfish spirit (soul). Who is a rich person in the sight of God?  He is one who has a prosperous spirit - a generous and giving spirit (soul).  What we have to choose from in this world that we live in is a true, godly prosperity that brings us divine blessing and provision or a false perverted prosperity which brings us curses, lack, want, misery, destruction, and death.  Remember!  Eventually, we will reap what we sow!  "Do not be deceived and deluded and mislead; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside).  (He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.) For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.  For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Gal 6:7-8).

            We, as God's children, must guard and protect our hearts from the deceiving and false concepts of prosperity that Satan offers to the world.  Jesus shows us in the parable of the sower how the truth can be stolen from us.  "The sower sows the Word.  The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown (in their hearts) but when they hear, Satan comes at once and (by force) takes away the message which is sown in them ... and the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word, then the cares and anxieties of the world, and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless....But as for that in the good soil, these are (the people) who hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just -- noble, virtuous -- and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit" (Mark 4:14-15,19; Luke 8:15).

            There will be a harvest from what we sow.  We sow first and then we reap, Amen!  If that is the natural order to receive a harvest then it is much more God's spiritual order also.  As christians, we do not give to get; that is to say we are not devising methods to force God to bless us.  That would be a selfishly motivated action, again originating in false prosperity concepts.  But God, being a just God, fulfills His Word and promises by bringing back to us manifold blessings.  Jesus said, "Give and (gifts) will be given you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will they pour into (the pouch formed by) the bosom (of your robe used as a bag).  For with the measure you deal out -- that is, with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others -- it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38).  Hallelujah!

            We are talking about the generosity and the prosperity of the Lord for His people.  Amen!

            Those of us who decide to obey God and flow in His Spirit of generosity, can expect to be prosperous people.  "And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

             I remember the time when my family and I needed food and also money to pay our obligations, which included some personal income tax that was due.  We had no money and no food; but, while my wife and I were praying one morning, God reminded us of five pounds of meat that we had in a freezer close by.  At this moment God impressed upon us that a certain christian family living close to us, did not have sufficient food either.  We immediately felt strongly impressed to take this meat to them.  They received it with joy and told us that they had asked the Lord for some meat that day.  It was about 8:00 in the morning when we delivered the meat to them.  At 10:00 a.m. two cars drove up to our house and two sisters in the Lord got out with several bags of groceries.  They shared with us that at 8:00 a.m. that morning they had felt impressed to clean out their freezers and bring us the food.  One of the sisters also had a refund check from the IRS for $157.00 that she endorsed over to me.  At 12:30 p.m. a brother came to our house and brought me a $100 bill.  That night we went to a home meeting some 40 miles away to teach the Word of God and after the meeting a brother gave me $1,000.00 in cash.

            In the same day, by giving five pounds of meat which was all we had to give, the Lord performed miracles and provided us with food of all kinds for the freezer and $1,257.00 which was sufficient to pay our bills and taxes after tithes.  Glory be to Jesus!  He is always faithful to His Word!

            Let us look at another contrast between true and false prosperity (generosity or selfishness).  I have learned, as I am sure some of you have, that we are all motivated from one source or another.  Our motives are stimulated by the Holy Spirit or they are stimulated by the flesh.  We find listed in Galatians, Chapter 5, several manifestations of the flesh that apply to the carnal motivations we are discussing.  "Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear -- obvious: they are..., strife, jealously,..., selfishness,..." (Gal. 5:19-20).  Also listed is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  "But the fruit of the (Holy) Spirit (the work which His presence within accomplishes) is love,..., kindness, goodness (benevolence)..." (Gal 5:22).  This clearly indicates that what we practice in our daily lives is a result of how we are motivated.

            Jesus said in John 17:16, that we are not of the world, that is to say not of the world's system.  He was not saying that we do not live in the world, of course we do.  He was saying we should not live by the world's standards and this includes the world's standard of prosperity.  "Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh (craving for sensual gratification), and the lust of the eyes (greedy longings of the mind) and the pride of life (assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things) these do not come from the Father but are from the world (itself).  And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever" (I John 2:15-17).

            James wrote a letter to the church warning us of many things pertaining to the world and its systems of false prosperity. "What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you?  Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?  You are jealous and covet (what others have) and your desires go unfulfilled; so you become murderers. (To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.) You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain (the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek), so you fight and war.  You do not have, because you do not ask, (or) you do ask (God for them) and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives.  Your intention is (when you get what you desire) to spend it in sensual pleasures.  You (are like) unfaithful wives (having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy?  So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God"  (James 4:1-4).  Also read James 4:13-17; and 5:1-5.

            Jesus Himself addresses the church in Revelation concerning false prosperity and clarifies what are the true riches which we have in Him.  "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered and grown wealthy; and I am in need of nothing; and do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.  Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be (truly) wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes that you may see" (Rev. 3:18-19).

            Here we can see clearly that lukewarmness was the subject of reproof that Jesus was dealing with in this church.  What was the main manifestation of lukewarmness?  False prosperity!  That is to say the church thought they were rich, blessed, and had need of nothing but in truth they were wretched, miserable, blind, poor and naked according to God's point of view.  Brothers and sisters, it is God's point of view that counts!  What then is the only solution when we find ourselves victims of false doctrine and practices of false prosperity?  Repentance is the only solution and that is to change our minds and attitudes.

            Let us choose to walk in the love of the Lord which produces His true prosperity in us and through us.

            "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God and the Word was God Himself.  He was present originally with God.  All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.  In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men....  And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled -- fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile -- among us; and we (actually) saw His glory -- His honor, His majesty; such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and we all received -- all had a share and we were all supplied with -- one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, and even favor upon favor and gift (heaped) upon gift" (John 1:1-4, 14, 16).

            Thank you, Father, for making us a truly prosperous people through your inexpressible act of generosity in Jesus, our Lord! Amen!

Being a Faithful Steward

            By now I hope we are understanding  the principles of God's true generosity, prosperity, provision and blessing.  We also need to understand how the Lord wants us to manage the things He entrusts us with.  Being a good steward or managing well everything (spirit, soul and body) that God provides will determine just how much we can be used in His kingdom.

            We find in Luke, Chapter 16, an account that Jesus gave of a manager of a worldly estate and how he managed this business. Please take time to read verses 1-9.  Jesus sums up this parable by saying, "He who is faithful in a very little (thing), is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little (thing), is dishonest and unjust also in much.  Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the (case of) the unrighteous mammon -- the deceitful riches, money, possessions -- who will entrust you to true riches? And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another (whether God or man), who will give you that which is your own (that is, the true riches)?  No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon -- riches, that is; or anything in which you trust and on which you rely" (Luke 16: 10-13).

            To be good stewards of God's resources that we have control of, we must see, first of all, that God is our source for everything. He is owner of everything we possess and even we have been bought by the precious blood of Jesus.  This should give us a definite sense of responsibility to Him in the handling of our affairs. As I have stated before, God entrusts us with things to see how we will manage them.  If we manage them poorly or irresponsibly then we should not expect the Lord to continue to entrust us with His resources.  In His mercy many times He does, however, as we continue to be blessed for a time; but eventually there will be a day of accounting given to Him.  We have all failed in the area of stewardship, but with a repentant heart we can start over again proving ourselves faithful to the Lord by starting with the little things.

            It is not the amount of money or the quantity of goods that we might possess or might give to others, as an act of generosity, but it is our attitude of heart and our desire to glorify God that makes the difference.  In II Corinthians, Chapter 8, Paul gives an account of the generosity of the churches of Macedonia.  "We want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia (arousing in them the desire to give alms); for in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty (together) have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.  For as I can bear witness, (they gave) according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and (they did it) voluntarily, begging us most insistently for the favor and fellowship of contributing in this ministration for (the relief and support of) the saints (in Jerusalem)" (II Cor. 8:1-4).  Can we participate in the needs of the saints all around us with this same spirit of generosity, begging for the opportunity to help?  I hope so, brothers and sisters, because this is good stewardship.

            Let me interject this point right now.  Jesus has told us that to be able to follow Him we must be willing to deny ourselves daily and take up our cross.  The act of self-denial which this church of Macedonia practiced was what brought them an abundance of joy. Self-denial and poverty are not the same.  We will not remain poor if we practice self-denial for the Lord's sake to help others; rather we will begin to experience prosperity from the inside out.

            A poverty spirit, which unfortunately many have received, is manifested in selfishness, greed and ignorance.  Whereas a spirit of self-denial is a result of generosity, love, and wisdom.  Many christians even say that they are being poor to glorify God, but we know that just being poor does not glorify God.  What glorifies God is a generous heart that manifests itself by giving to others no matter what one possesses.  In this case it was recognized that the Macedonian church did not have an abundance of resources and were being hard pressed, but they were overflowing in abundance of joy and I am sure that they were prosperous in every way in due season.

            Jesus told the church at Smyrna, "I know your affliction and distress and pressing trouble and your poverty; but you are rich!" (Rev. 2:9).  We must learn to always trust in God and learn to be content, knowing that if we are faithful to practice His generosity that He will never fail us.

            Having lots of money and material things is not the secret to true happiness nor does it give us any real security.  Only trusting and obeying God gives us true peace and joy.  Hallelujah!

            "Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money (including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions) and be satisfied with your present (circumstances and with what you have); for He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  (I will) not, (I will) not, (I will) not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let (you) down (relax My hold on you)! (Assuredly not!)  So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm (I will not fear or dread or be terrified). What can man do to me?" (Heb. 13:5-6).

            Whether we be rich or poor in material possessions does not determine our spirituality.  What does determine our spirituality is how we handle our possessions.  Look what the Lord says to those who are rich in possessions.  "As for the rich in this world; charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for (our) enjoyment. (Charge them) to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share (with others). In this way laying up for themselves (the riches that endure forever as) a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed" (I Tim. 6:17-19).

            As we realize how much Jesus has done for us, we will respond with gratitude at the opportunities to be vessels of blessings to others.  "For you are coming progressively to be acquainted with and to recognize more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ -- His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing; (in) that though He was (so very) rich, yet for your sakes He became (so very) poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched -- abundantly supplied" (II Cor. 8:9).

            Here Paul is exhorting the church at Corinth, which was an abundantly blessed church in every way to respond proportionally to their brothers' needs.  "Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything -- in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us -- (see to it that you come to the front now and) abound and excel in this gracious work (of almsgiving) also" (II Cor. 8:7).  Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  It is a great privilege to be given an opportunity by the Lord to be a channel of provision for others.  "As it is written, He (the benevolent person) scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!" (II Cor. 9:9). Hallelujah!

            We see that God gives seed to the sower, not to the selfish. "And (God) Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your (resources for) sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness (which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity).  Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and (your generosity as it is) administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God....Because at (your) standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all (the other needy ones)" (II Cor. 9:10-11, 13).

            Lets review the main points of these scripture verses.  First by having a generous heart, God will supply seed for sowing and bread for eating.  Seed for sowing is to help others and I believe bread for eating is self explanatory as it pertains to our needs.  The Word is saying here that the Lord will provide and multiply our resources for sowing and increase our fruits of righteousness, that is to say by sowing here on earth, as unto the Lord, we gain eternal returns of righteousness in heaven.  What a blessing!  Also the fruit of our righteousness manifests itself in the fruit of the Spirit - goodness (benevolence), kindness and love.

            Second, we see that we will be enriched in all things and in every way so we can be generous.  We can't give what we don't have so therefore when God sees that He can trust us, He gives us more so we can give more.  This is a never ending cycle that can only be experienced by the practice of God's principles of generosity.

            Third, generosity produces and brings forth thanksgiving and glory to God and gives people a witness of our obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which we confess.  We must be doers of the Word if we wish to be a blessing to others and to be blessed ourselves by God.  "But obey the message; be doers of the Word, and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves (into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth)...But He who looks carefully into the faultless law, the (law) of liberty and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)" (James l:22, 25).

            Let me share another personal testimony to emphasize the importance of being faithful, obedient and generous.  This is not meant to exalt myself, but only to testify of God's faithfulness.

            In early 1983 as we were preparing to move to Honduras to live and serve the Lord, I felt it was necessary to establish a date of departure. That is to say, to take a step of faith, not waiting until we had sufficient finances in hand to make the move.  As a matter of fact the day we set the date to leave we had $62.00 to our name.  It was evident in the natural that we did not even have enough money to buy groceries that week, much less plan to move to another country.  I am sure you can imagine the various expenses one would incur in such a move.  We had been living by faith and trusting in the Lord for over 10 years and had always seen His faithfulness to us, but this was a new step of faith and we were going to have to continue to trust Him even more as we would soon learn.  As I sat at my desk meditating on the upcoming decisions the telephone rang. It was a brother in Christ calling from another state about 1,000 miles away.  He said that he felt strongly urged to call and invite us to come for a visit.  I told him that at the moment it seemed unlikely that we could come.  I did not tell him of our financial needs only that we had set the date of departure and had many things to do to get ready for this move to Honduras.  He said he understood and said good-bye.  In less than 30 minutes a brother came to my house and said that while he was praying for us that morning he had felt that we would be going on a trip very soon, so he offered his economy car and some money for gas.  He didn't know anything about the call that I had just received.  After he left I was somewhat startled because I had not considered this trip or any trip as even a remote possibility at the moment.  I felt the Lord prompted me to call the brother back who had called and invited us to come and to accept his invitation.  We got ready and left the next day.  We took this brother's economy car and the gas money, plus our $62.00 and headed for our destination.  We arrived in the evening of the following day and were invited to share the Word in a home of one of the christians there.  There were about 30 people gathered and we had a good time of fellowship.  During this meeting a brother shared that his bicycle had been stolen that day and that he wanted prayer that God would supply him with another bicycle soon as he worked 15 miles away at a fruit packing plant and used his bicycle to go back and forth to work.  Then someone said they felt led to take up a love offering for us; and so they did, giving us approximately $250.  This was a surprise blessing to us, but the Holy Spirit told me to give the offering to the brother whose bicycle had been stolen.  I gave the money to another brother to give to him so he wouldn't know who it came from.  The next day we went to visit some friends in another town close by.  I put gas in the car using more of the gas money I had been given to return back with.  When we arrived at these people's home we sensed something strange going on.  After talking with them for a while we found out that he had lost his job and was about to loose his home, car, etc.  When I went into the kitchen to get some cold water from the refrigerator, I found it was empty.  The truth was that they had no money and no food, so we felt led to take them to the grocery store and spend the $62 that we had to get them some food.  This left us with the remaining gas money which was not even enough to get us back to our home in Mississippi.  The devil began to lie and tell us that we were fools because we had given our $250 offering away and spent the last $62 that we had in the world and that we didn't even have enough gas money to return to Mississippi.  While driving back to the other town where we were visiting, Satan kept pounding us with these fearful thoughts.  We knew that God had not given us a spirit of fear, but that of love, power and a sound mind (II Tim 1:7), so we rested in the peace of God.

            When we arrived at the brother's home who had invited us to come, he told us that we had received a phone call from a sister in the fellowship and that she wanted to see us as soon as possible. We called her back and she came right over to the house.  She told us she was a single lady who had been divorced from her husband for many years, but for some reason he had continued to support her financially and that she had felt led to help us with our mission work.  She did not know anything about our needs.  She then gave us a check for $5,000 and we nearly fainted on the spot.  The next day we received $1780 from three other sources so that when we left to return home we had $6,780 in offerings.  When we arrived back home we gave our tithe and  gave several offerings to some people that we knew had needs.  This totaled to over $2,500 but we still were left with approximately $4,500 which was enough to pay our bills and move to Honduras.  Glory be to God, forever!

            This did not add up in the natural.  God provided a borrowed car plus gas money for the trip.  We took our $62 (all we had) plus the $250 offering we received and in faith, we sowed all of that (approximately $312) into our brothers and sisters at the time of their need.  Then God supplied our needs with a bountiful gift of almost $7,000.  No one knew of our needs nor did we share with anyone our financial condition.  But God knows all the needs of all of us all  the time and He always supplies our needs according to his riches in glory when we are concerned first about others. Hallelujah!  Blessed be His Name!

            Someone has said that God supports who He sends, and that I believe with all my heart, but I must add that He continually supports those who have a generous spirit and know when to give to others.

            Lord, help us to always be obedient to your voice and quick to respond to the needs of others.  "Now thanks be to God for His Gift (precious) beyond telling (His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift)!" (II Cor. 9:15).  His Name is Jesus!

Godly Contentment is True Gain

            Learning to be content is one of the keys of being continually generous and of being blessed by God.  I hope that you can see that when we are not content we are ungrateful.  We do not have an attitude of gratitude towards the Lord.  We become impatient and dissatisfied by our circumstances at the moment.  We begin to look inwardly, being frustrated and worried about our needs, instead of looking around us and noticing the needs of others.

            What are the basic requirements necessary to be content? According to God's Word in I Timothy 6, the first requirement is to be a godly person.  "...godliness accompanied with contentment -- that contentment which is a source of inward sufficiency -- is great and abundant gain." (vs 6).  Here we can see that having the confidence and trust in God as our total source gives us contentment. Faith in God is the second requirement for contentment and faith is a fruit of the Spirit.  "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality -- faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses...But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him.  For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)" (Heb. 11:l, 6).

            You see without faith it is impossible to be content.  Our minds will always be racing to the future and the needs we will have and what will be coming tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.  Therefore, godliness is the characteristic of one who trusts and has faith in God for their total provision.  This confident trust  releases us and frees us to be generous people.

            The third requirement for contentment is to be grateful for what we have at the moment.  Let's follow on in I Timothy 6.  "For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied)" (vs 7-8).  Are we grateful for food and clothing?  We know of many people and nations that do not even have these basic needs.  Have you ever seen people starving and naked?  It is a pitiful sight, believe me!  Although throughout the centuries of time, there have been people buried with their riches and possessions, we know this profits them nothing after their life ends here on the earth.  What does Jesus say about our responsibility in this area of ministry?  "Then shall the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:  I was thirsty and ye gave me drink...naked and ye clothed Me...Then shall the righteous answer Him saying, Lord, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty and gave thee drink?...naked, and clothed thee?...and the King shall answer and say unto those, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Mat 25:34-40 KJV) (Please read verses 41-46 for further insight).  Without grateful and contented hearts we will not respond to these types of needs.

            The fourth requirement to be content is not to love money, riches, and possessions.  I Timothy 6:6 continues to say, "And those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge man into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing: for the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray, and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute (mental) pangs" (vs 9-10).  Here we see that to be content we must be free from the love of money.  We see once again that to love money and crave riches shows that we have wandered away from our faith in God and have fallen into temptation and destruction.  God's counsel in this case is to run from these trappings and return to godliness which brings contentment. "But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (that is, right standing with God and true goodness) godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience) and gentleness of heart" (vs 11).

            The fifth requirement to be content is not to be fearful and anxious about our future needs.  I mentioned this before but I want to be more specific in what God's Word says about this area of contentment.  In Matthew, Chapter 6, Jesus talks about His faithfulness to provide for those who put their priorities in order. "Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and about your body, what you shall put on.  Is life not greater (in quality) that food, and the body far above and more excellent) that clothing?...(Please read in your Bibles these verses completely)....."Therefore do not worry and be anxious saying, what are we going to have to eat? or, what are we going to have to drink? or, what are we going to have to wear?   For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek after all these things; and your heavenly Father well knows that you need them all.  But seek for (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom, and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right); and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.  So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (vs 25-34).

            To be content we must learn to trust in the Lord more than ever, and to be full of thanksgiving for His provision; not being greedy, selfish, fearful and anxious people.  "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man can do unto me...Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:5-6, 8).  Hallelujah!

            As we have discussed previously in these writings, the matter of improper motivation can also affect our state of contentment.  I am personally very grieved in my spirit when I see those who are supposed to be examples to the body of Christ, that is to say called ones (leaders, ministers, etc.) who are not content. This discontentment leads to many practices that are carnally motivated and are based on an attempt to gain in a dishonest, deceiving and insincere manner.  If you are one of these chosen vessels of God, please take this to heart and examine yourself. "Examine and test and evaluate your own selves, to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it.  Test and prove yourselves, (not Christ).  Do you not yourselves realize and know (thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience) that Jesus Christ is in you?  unless you are (counterfeits) disapproved on trial and rejected!  But I hope you will realize that we are not disapproved on trial and rejected.  But I pray that you may do nothing wrong...For we can do nothing against the Truth (not serve any party or personal interest), but only for the Truth (which is the Gospel)" (II Cor. 13:5-8).  We know there are also false messengers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) that will come to deceive and take advantage of the people for their personal benefit.  We can most readily identify them by their fruits.  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are as devouring wolves, you will fully recognize them by their fruits...therefore you will fully know them by their fruits.  Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:15-21).

            Jesus will have the last word concerning how we live our lives here on the earth.  We must guard and protect our hearts and minds from temptations to be discontent and from becoming self-seeking individuals.

            Through Paul we are also warned to stay away and avoid those who engage in selfishly motivated schemes.  "But if anyone teaches otherwise and does not assent to the sound and wholesome messages of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and the teaching which is in agreement with godliness (piety toward God), he is puffed up with pride and stupefied with conceit (although he is) woefully ignorant.  He has a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in (produce) envy and jealously, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions, and protracted wrangling and wearing discussion and perpetual friction among men who are corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, who imagine that godliness or righteousness  is a source of profit (a money-making business, a means of livelihood).  From such withdraw" (I Tim. 6:3-5).

            Let's look for a minute at some godly examples put before us in the Word of God that show us the fruit of contentment and a life of faith and trust in the Lord.  Remember!  Our priorities must be in proper order so that our actions will be motivated correctly.  We must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, preach the Gospel, and more importantly, live the Gospel!  Amen.  As faithful servants of God, we will always seek to do the will of our Maker, the Lord Jesus Christ.  "For our appeal (in preaching) does not (originate) from delusion or error or impure purpose or motive, nor in fraud or deceit.  But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the glad tidings (the Gospel), so we speak not to please men, but to please God, who tests our hearts (expecting them to be approved).  For as you know we never resorted either to words of flattery or to any cloak to conceal greedy motives or pretexts for gain; as God is our witness...for you recall our hard toil and struggles, brethren.  We worked night and day (and plied our trade) in order not to be a burden to any of you (for our support) while we proclaimed the glad tidings (the Gospel) of God to you" (I Thess. 2:3-9).

            Paul, Silas, and Timothy served among these churches of Thessalonica for a season and did so motivated only to preach the Gospel to them.  They did not claim honor or demand that the people pay them for their ministry, but instead decided to work at their own trades among them so as not to cause them to stumble by requiring financial support.  This is one of the most grievous conditions that we see today among many christian workers.  They will not serve their brothers and sisters unless they are given financial remuneration or recompensation.  We should follow scriptural examples not man's methods even though they are apparently successful.  "For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate our example, for we were not disorderly or shirking of duty when we were with you -- we were not idle.  Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and struggle we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden or impose on any of you (for our support).  (It was) not because we do not have a right (to such support), but (we wished) to make ourselves the example for you to follow" (II Thess. 3:7-9).  You may ask is it therefore wrong for us to receive help from one another?  Certainly not!  But it should be help and support that comes voluntarily from those who feel led to be generous-hearted, not from those who feel compelled by our urging or manipulating them to do so.  How can we know what is the proper way to conduct ourselves? By always being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and by living a life of faith in God.  God is always the one Who supports us, no matter how He does it or who He uses to do it.  Men's traditions always make the Gospel of no effect.  If we follow traditions such as - those in "full time ministry" have to be paid a salary, etc. - then we can nullify the effect of the Gospel by quenching the Holy Spirit in the midst of those we are trying to reach or teach for Jesus.  Remember!  "Full time ministry" is an attitude of heart not a title or a position.

            Paul and his companions were "full time ministers", were they not?  They gave us a good example to follow.  What was that?  To work at a trade when it is best for the people we are serving at the time or not to work at a trade when it is not best for the people we are serving at the time.  This sounds simple enough, but in either case it requires faith.  It requires faith to work and faith to lay down the work or not to work at all.  All of this should be done according to the need and desire of the Lord.

            Lets look at some guidelines that Paul gave us in I Corinthians, Chapter 9.  "...the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.  But I have not made use of any of these privileges, nor am I writing this (to suggest) that any such  provision be made for me (now).  For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void and deprive me of my (ground for) glorifying (in the matter).  For if I (merely) preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it.  Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!  For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay (my reward); but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly and under compulsion, I am (still) entrusted with a (sacred) trusteeship and commission.  What then is the (actual) reward that I get?  Just this: that in my preaching the good news (the Gospel), I may offer it (absolutely) free of expense (to anybody), not taking advantage of my rights and privileges (as a preacher) of the Gospel.  For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more (for Christ)" (I Cor. 9:14-19).

            Lets review these principles.  First, those of us who are christian workers, should live by the Gospel - that is we should receive support from the Gospel ministry.  Second, we should not abuse this privilege or suggest that we be provided for from anyone.  Third, it would be better to die than to bring reproach to the Lord's ability to provide for us and to deny our faith in Him.  Fourth, preaching the Gospel gives us no room to boast because it is a privilege to do so.  That is to say, we preach the Gospel by a voluntary act of our free will and consider the privilege of being entrusted to preach to be our reward and pay.  Fifth, the reward we get is offering the Gospel free and without expense to all, and not by taking advantage of our rights as preachers. Sixth, that we remain free of control of anyone.  That is to say, that their financial support does not control us and that we are bond servants to everyone for the Gospel's sake.  Hallelujah!  These principles will keep us content!

            I know from personal experience that remaining content at all times is a learning process, but by the grace of God and power of the Holy spirit it is possible.  All things are possible for those of us who can only believe! Amen! "...for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.  I know how to be abased and live in straightened circumstances; and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance.  I have learned in any and all circumstances, the secret of facing every situation, whether well fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and to spare or going without and being in want.  I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me -- I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me, (that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)" (Phil. 4:11-13).

            Lord Jesus You are more than sufficient to meet all our needs.  We draw upon your strength each day so we can be content in You and so that we can put forth a strong, positive witness of your faithfulness to us and so that we can be a giving and generous people.  We want all this for Your glory.  Amen!

Tithes, Firstfruits, Offerings
and
Love Gifts (Alms)

            I have purposely left this subject of the giving of tithes, (firstfruits), offerings, and love gifts (alms) until last.  It has always been a delicate subject and one that is greatly misunderstood.  If you are reading this chapter without having read the previous chapters then you may not be able to receive these truths in your heart.  Remember, as I stated in the foreword, a lack of generosity or unwillingness to give in christians indicates a lack of knowledge, an unrenewed mind, a lack of obedience, and a quenching of the Holy Spirit.  There has been sufficient impartation in these writings to illuminate  us in all four of these problem areas.  We should now be able to participate in doing the will of God by being a generous and a giving people.  Hallelujah!  Rejoice!  It is more blessed to give than to receive. (See Acts 10:35).

            As we talk about tithes, firstfruits, offerings and alms gifts we must remember that all of our giving and acts of generosity and love are to be done unto the Lord and in His Name or they don't value much from God's point of view.  "And whatever you do -- no matter what it is -- in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus and in (dependence upon) His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him" (Col. 3:17).  This should motivate us to glorify God through our giving and our generosity.  This proper manner of giving brings to us continual blessing: spirit, soul, and body.

            Let's talk about what is meant by tithes and firstfruits according to the Word of God.  If we study the Hebrew and Greek definitions of the two, we find that they come from the same root word which means: The principal, the first portion, the first 10% or 1/10th of our increase or gain.  This includes money and finances or goods and kinds.  " Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency (from righteous labors) and with the firstfruits of all your income" (Prov. 3:9).  If we are grateful people, acknowledging that God is our total source and the true owner of all we possess, then to bring tithes and firstfruits to the Lord is a very small requirement to fulfill.  God is merciful towards us and wants to bless us through the small amount that we give back to Him.  I can personally testify that for most of my christian life (and this is certainly not to say that I have always been obedient in every area) I have managed to tithe.  I have not always understood the principles of tithing but by the grace of God I have been able to tithe and give firstfruits.  I have given as little as fifty cents per week which was 10% of my income or my earnings ($5.00 /week) and as much as $1,200.00 in one day which was 10% of a $12,000.00 offering that I received on that day.  God has always fulfilled His promise to me.  He has never failed me, nor left me without support, nor abandoned me even though I have failed Him many times.  What am I saying?  I am saying that God honors His Word by being faithful to us when we follow His instructions.  We should tithe and bring firstfruits to Him! Brothers and Sisters!  These are His instructions.  Some may quickly say that it is pure legalism to tithe and give 10% of your increase.  I believe it is dangerous to play with fire.  We know our God is a consuming fire (See Heb. 12:28-29).  We should realize that God would never curse us or chastise us for giving tithes and bringing the firstfruits to Him.  If we do not give tithes and firstfruits we will be missing out on His blessings for sure because we always reap what we sow.

            Do you believe all the Bible is the Word of God?  "Every scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action)" (II Tim. 3:16).

            If you agree with the Word of God completely, then consider what He says in Malachi.  Malachi is a lesson about God's people being a disobedient, unfaithful and rebellious people.  "Will a man rob or defraud God?  Yet you rob and defraud Me.  But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You?  You have withheld your tithes and offerings.  You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation.  Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:8-10).  Glory to God!  What a promise!  Would you want to take a chance on missing the blessings that come forth from the windows of heaven?  Not me!  I can't live without these divine provisions.

            Perhaps we have heard many reasons discussed for not tithing, but the reasons that are listed in Malachi are very good reasons for tithing.  Many have said, "I don't tithe because I don't know where to or to whom I should tithe."  The Lord says here in Malachi, "bring the tithe into the storehouse."  Where is that in the New Testament church age?  To try to answer that question let us look at what the "storehouse" was.  It was the place where the peoples' needs were being met and where ministry unto the Lord was going on.  We should, as believers in Jesus Christ, have a local group or fellowship or church congregation where these things are occurring.  If not, we should seek this because it is God's perfect will that we have daily communion, fellowship, and association with like-minded believers and that we be mutually blessed so we can bless others.  We may ask, "But where are these people?"  Only the Holy Spirit can show us this but we must put forth the effort and exercise our faith for it.

            Let us look also at another principle in Malachi that God's Word teaches us about tithing.  "And I will rebuke the devourer (insects and plagues) for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall the vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts.  And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts" (Mal. 3:11-12).

            We may not be farmers, as such, but we certainly do sow and reap.  The devourer is none other than Satan himself and he is out to kill, steal, and destroy (See John 10:10).  If we have God's protection over our resources we can prosper and be blessed and have more to share with others.

            Many of us do not understand why we are experiencing lack sometimes.  It very well could be because the devil is devouring our resources.  We can live with more resources available than someone else who has twice as much income because God is rebuking the devourer for our sakes.  For example, we are healthier, less accident-prone, our goods last longer, and we have less repairs and general expenses, etc.  And if we are perhaps farmers indeed, we can expect exactly what this scripture promises: greater harvests.  Hallelujah!  Don't forget!  God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.  Now let me say this:  We don't give out of fear, but by faith.  Neither do we give out of compulsion but freely and cheerfully because God loves that kind of giver.  Amen!

            Here is an added thought in reference to tithing and giving of firstfruits.  We should not limit this only to money but we should also consider goods and kinds as a means of giving tithes.  Here in Honduras, Central America, where we live, many people produce crops and animals for their own consumption and to sell to others.  As christians, we can bring the firstfruits of this type of produce into the "storehouse" for ministry to others that do not have provisions.  I have seen sacks of beans, rice, corn, eggs, fruit and vegetables plus chickens, pigs, cattle, milk, cream and cheese brought to the "storehouse" to be distributed and to be a blessing to needy ones.  We should look for opportunities to obey the Lord.  Amen!  We should not limit our tithe to 10% or the minimum amount, but allow our faith to develop to where we could give for example 15%, 20%, 25% or even 50% as a tithe.  I know people who do just that and they are blessed on every hand by the Lord.

            Now we must also consider the offerings and love gifts (alms) as another opportunity to be generous.  The word offering in the Hebrew and Greek means simply "a gift or a present".  On the other hand, the alms or love gift is specifically designated for merciful giving as unto the poor or needy who are always around us.  Both offerings and alms, as found in the Bible, indicate a sacrificial giving; that is to say many times the giving of offerings and alms require that we give from our need, sacrificing and denying ourselves to be a help to others.  This is why no specific percentage of our resources should be designated for offerings and love gifts as is with the tithes or firstfruits.  God may ask us to give all we have at the moment or to sell what we possess to give offerings and alms.  In fact, Jesus once asked a rich young man who wanted to know what he could do to have eternal life to do just that.  "Jesus answered him, If you would be perfect (that is, have that spiritual maturity which accompanies self-sacrificing character), go and sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have riches in heaven; and come, be My disciple -- side with My party and follow Me.  But when the young man heard this, he went away sad (grieved and in much distress) for he had great possessions" (Matt. 19:21-22).  We should understand from this account that this young man was upright, moral, and lived a life pleasing to God, but he lacked one thing that Jesus brought out.  He could not turn loose of his possessions.  Could we be like this young man, grieved and in much distress because the Holy Spirit would ask us to give sacrificially?  Please review the accounts of sacrificial giving of the church found in Chapter 1 of these writings.  Our nature must be a generous nature if we desire to reflect the nature of our Heavenly Father.

            I knew of a godly man who came to Mississippi, many years ago without a cent to his Name.  He began to work and give 90% of all his income to the Lord and for the Gospel.  This was his personal conviction and commitment.  His testimony was that he gave this 90% through his tithes, firstfruits, offerings and alms gifts and then lived off of the remaining 10%.  When he went to be with the Lord at a ripe old age he had an estate worth millions of dollars. It looked like the windows of heaven stayed open to him day and night.  Can you imagine being a multi-millionaire by keeping only 10% of your earnings?  Most of us never reach this level of blessing even keeping 90% of ours.  One brother has rightfully said, "I would rather have 90% of my income blessed by God than to have 100% of my income that is not blessed by God." Amen!

            We will never lose by giving unto the Lord.  "...Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it.  For what shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:34-36 KJV).

            We should, as God's people, concentrate on the maximum that we can give to the Lord, His Gospel, and to others.  We should not cheat and deceive ourselves by only giving the minimum such as 10%.  We will reap what we sow.  We do not have to keep an account ledger on the Lord.  He knows well our generous deeds and He rewards us accordingly.  "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the Gospel's, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30 KJV).

             As a matter of personal testimony, I have noticed down through the years how God has rewarded and blessed His generosity working in and through me and my family.  Again, this is not to exalt ourselves, but to confirm Gods faithfulness to us.  We have left houses and given dwelling places to others and we have received many homes and dwelling places in return where we can find shelter, food, hospitality and love.  Many have built on rooms or set aside part of their homes for us to dwell in for seasons.  Thank you, Lord!  We have given up lands, given land to others and sold land and shared the proceeds.  One time the enemy tried to rob us of some property that we had at the time.  This came about through a deceitful scheme that a so-called friend devised to take advantage of us.  Because we were living in Honduras, we felt it best not to contest the issue legally as we had a right to do.  Although we apparently lost everything as a result of this incident, the Lord miraculously redeemed and restored the land back to my family and it is now in the possession of my son, daughters, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law and their children.  Hallelujah!  He rebuked the devourer for our sakes!  This process took 10 years to culminate, but God is always faithful.  We must learn to trust more in Him and be patient for the fulfillment of His promises.

            As a constant way of life we have given food and clothes in His Name to others .  We never have gone hungry or naked, but instead we have always had an abundance of both food and clothing to be able to share with others.  We are grateful, Lord!  Many times we have not had money to buy food or clothes, but the provision has come nevertheless in the form of goods and kinds.  There are many times when we realize that every bit of food on our table was given to us by those God used to provide this need.  There are many times when we realize that every piece of clothing (outer and inner), shoes, and hats that we are wearing at the moment have been provided through those that the Lord has used.  Many times the type of food or clothes that we felt we needed were given without the person who was giving knowing exactly what we needed. Only God can orchestrate that type of blessing.  Amen!

            Our lifestyle and service to the Lord requires that we travel overland a lot so God has provided us with vehicles.  We have felt led to sow nine vehicles into the kingdom and into the lives of others and to this date we have received nine back plus 10 more that we have had total use of during interim periods.  Bless you, Jesus!

            There are many other items by the hundreds, such as musical instruments and tape recorders, horses, mules, cows, pigs, chickens, home furnishings, tools and equipment, and supplies for daily living that we have given in response to what we saw was a need in the lives of others.  The result is that we too are supplied by the Lord in a like manner.  Let me say that less and less do we have to purchase these types of things, because God supplies them according to the needs of the moment without us telling anyone

            Part of my ministry is to worship and praise the Lord in music.  I have always used the guitar to accompany me in this.  I have lost count of the number of guitars I have given to others, including some of the finest that I have been blessed to have in my possession.  The last guitar that I sowed into the kingdom was the finest I had ever had and was my favorite up to that time.  One day, while living in southern Honduras, the Lord spoke to me to give that guitar to a brother from Nicaragua.  There were many refugees living in southern Honduras at that time from Nicaragua and El Salvador.  He loved to praise the Lord but had lost his guitar due to an unfortunate circumstance.  When I gave him the guitar, he had a hard time receiving it because he was worried about me not having an instrument to play.  No one but my wife and another Honduran brother knew of this offering which I gave.  Two weeks later I traveled to the USA for a couple of months and only two days after arriving, a brother told me that he and several others had felt led to buy me a new guitar.  They said they knew I had a good guitar, but they just wanted to bless me.  They did not know that I had given my guitar away.  I asked them when it was that they had been impressed to bless me with a new guitar.  When they told me of the time they felt to do this it corresponded identically to the time when I gave my guitar to the Nicaraguan brother.  God goes before us!  Glory!  They took me to a music store and told me to pick the guitar of my choice.

            We came to Honduras with a container of personal goods (12'x6'x6') and our suitcases.  Since we have been here for the last 12 years we have been able to help furnish four family dwellings.  It is a privilege to be a channel of blessing to others. God has given us an abundance so we can help others.  Thanks be unto Him!

            One time I traveled to a place to minister the Gospel.  When I arrived I was greeted in a strange way.  As I got out of my truck, the man who welcomed me began to question me about the cost of my truck, my boots, my belt, my Bible, my guitar, and my leather suitcase and briefcase.  I knew that it was a covetous, envious spirit operating in the man, but I was so blessed to be able to tell him honestly that everything he questioned me about had been given to me by the Lord and that I didn't know the cost of the items because I had not bought any of them.  He was startled and I am sure thought I was lying, but I was so blessed to realize that my God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory (See Phil 4:19).

            If we can only learn to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not to our own understanding (See Prov. 3:5), we can begin to experience the benefits of living in the generosity of the Spirit and in the joy of the Lord which will be our strength and encouragement for all our days.  Praise Him, Forever!

            Let me leave you with some final exhortations, admonitions and considerations on how you can flow in the generosity of the Lord.

            First, for your overall benefit as a christian, find a local church, group, or fellowship of believers where you can tithe, bring firstfruits, and give offerings and alms gifts.  This is not to say that you should be limited in your giving of offerings and alms through this group only, but this will be a good starting place.  Some of you may say that you don't trust those who manage the funds, etc., in your group.  Then I would say to you that you are in the wrong group and you need to find some place where there is confidence and trust in the Lord between you and your brethren.  Wherever we bring our tithes and firstfruits, offerings and alms gifts, we must always bring them to the Lord by faith.  That is to say that once they leave our hands and they are entrusted to others, we should rest in the Lord that our part is done.  If we discover that others are mismanaging the resources of the Lord then we will have to make our decision about future giving through that source.  We should never permit the unfaithfulness of others to affect our faithfulness in giving!

            Second, As I stated, offerings and alms giving are not to be restricted.  We should have the liberty to give to others financially or in goods and kinds spontaneously as the Holy Spirit leads us.  One advantage, however, of giving through a trustworthy source or person is being able to give anonymously.  This allows us to bless the person without them knowing the source - other than God.  If we are a part of a group that can transfer these blessings to others then it is always better than directly giving to the individual.  "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:1-4 KJV).

            I am not saying that it is wrong to give to someone else personally, but we must be cautious as to the manner in which we do this.  We always receive more joy being able to bless others anonymously.  Sometimes, however, it is not possible or practical to do so.  An offering or alms gift given through the local church, etc., to other christian workers, to the Gospel, or to the poor and needy can be done easily enough if we plan before hand how we may do so to remain out of the spotlight.  If we have goods and kinds to give another and we have available to us trustworthy brothers or sisters in Christ who can be the channel of blessing then this always brings more glory to the Lord.  The main point is that by any and all means we should practice generosity and be faithful, obedient givers.  Amen!

            Third, let me give a word of encouragement and caution to those who might find themselves in a position to oversee or manage tithes, offerings, and love gifts.  This could include church group leaders, administrators of ministries, or individual christians who are entrusted as vessels to convey blessings from one to another.  The Lord talks about the faithful steward in Luke Chapter 12.  "...For everyone to whom much is given of him shall much be required; and to him to whom men entrust much they will require and demand the more" (Luke 12:48).

            I have known and know those who are practicing iniquity in the areas of managing God's resources.  They are those who are demanding and compelling their brothers and sisters to give tithes and offerings to their group because they themselves are not living by faith in God and have become hirelings only concerned for their own welfare.  They are those who are misappropriating resources for their own selfish purposes and gain.  They are those who are not diligently and promptly transferring finances or goods and kinds to those designated to receive them because of jealousy or envy operating in them.  Most serious of all are those who are not living and putting forth a godly example of generosity to those who are around them.  We can see that the roots of all these problems are selfishness, greed, fear and anxiety, none of which demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

            Several years ago a christian worker in a leadership position who was very distressed about his financial and economic condition came to see me.  He had, as is the case so often, placed his faith in people and organizations rather than in God, but most seriously of all, as I found out, he had not practiced generosity.  He asked me point blank how I was getting along financially and I told him quite frankly that God was always faithful to meet my needs.  I told him that as God provided and as I gave tithes and offerings that all my needs were met and that I always had seed to sow.  He was shocked that as a servant of God I practiced tithing and the giving of offerings and alms.  He said that when be became a "minister" that he stopped tithing and giving offerings because he thought he was only supposed to receive and not to give.  Here was the root of his financial problems.  He was not practicing what he preached nor was he a doer of the Word so he was self-deceived and could not be blessed by the Lord.  We reap what we sow.  Amen!

            I hope we can pray this prayer together.  Lord, forgive us for all our excuses for not being faithful to tithe, bring firstfruits, give offerings and alms.  We repent and change our minds and attitudes about giving and being a generous people.  Lord, You are the Author, Developer and Finisher of our faith.  We thank You for helping us to grow in our faith in You so we can be ready, willing and able to be Your channel of blessing to all of those who You put in our paths to help and to witness to through our generosity.  We pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen!

            Love to All,
            Buddy Axley
            Valle de Angeles
            Honduras, C.Am.
            December 15, 1995

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