Here we are on our third day regarding this critical subject. We have seen first, that God is in all aspects of the giving process. HE provides the seed for us to sow. Secondly, We looked a bit yesterday at the tragic life of one who squandered the seed he had been given! Now, today, what happens when we cooperate with God and give as HE instructs?
Well, again our text comes from 2 Corinthians 9:10.....
"Now may HE who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness."
Multiply the seed you have sown......MMMMMMMM, a nugget here. God not only provides the seed for us to sow but HE can also multiply it!!! Imagine, believing that HE will bless what we give in obedience, in Jesus name. Do you actually believe HE can multiply that which we give? Do you believe HE can bless today in such a measure that what we give HE multiplies? HE can give even greater harvest as the result?
Notice what HE did not highlight.... It is not the size of the gift! So often we think that only the rich give but quite the opposite is true. The rich often times are the stingiest givers. Unless they have been touched by the masters hand! In reality, He is looking at the heart behind the gift. A heart that willingly, obeys its Master and joins in the process of God's work. When it isn't about worldly gain, material possessions or personal pleasure we can yoke up with the Holy Spirit and see HIM work in ways we cannot normally see.
HE multiplies the seed for those who sow. Can I take the liberty here to reverse it? HE does not multiply the seed for those who do not sow. Ever wonder why you just can't seem to get ahead? Wonder why it seems as though others seem to prosper more than you or your family? It may be that your selfishness is being highlighted. You are living your life your way and spend your God given resources any way YOU please. You have lots of stuff and lots of problems, no peace! Well, this is a monster of you own making.
I once told one of God servants whose life had shifted from a 6 figure income to the brink of bankruptcy, you did it your way so how is it working for you? Are you ready to do it God's way? He was and today he is and God has worked mightily in and through his life. Today he is cooperating with God on a level that many are afraid to walk. I pray for a whole church full, of fully surrendered Children of God, willing, able and ready to give and go at any moment for God.
The biggest enemy is our flesh. Denying ourselves on a daily basis for HIS glory! So that we can join HIM in HIS work. Do we dare trust HIM in this area? Are we willing to give up stuff so others may come to know Christ? Again, it is a daily, moment by moment choice!
If you want to see God do great things in your world, we must be willing to expect great things from HIM! Without giving up control in this area to HIM we will never see all that HE can accomplish!
My precious brother and sister in Jesus, HE longs to work through you and touch this world. Join with HIM. Ask HIM what HE would have you give? Then do it! If you are soooo strapped you can't then, join with us on one of our FPU classes or Journey to financial freedom classes. Get free so you can join the work of God!
I love being where HE is at work. Won't you join us there!
Blessings
Bruce
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
How's Your Garden Growing? Part 2
Why isn't my garden growing? This may be a question someone would ask if they had a garden spot and had planted some seeds. One of the first things we would ask in return is, did you plant any seed? How much did you plant and where did you plant it may be a few others?
What would you say to someone who said they were getting nothing out of their garden and you had asked them if they had planted any seed and they had said NO? You would no doubt laugh and say how could you expect fruit from a garden when you had planted no seed in the garden!!!
This weeks text helps us here.....
2 Corinthians 9:10...Now may HE who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
As we learned yesterday, God provides the seed.......and if we know that (HE said it in HIS word) then why in the world would we NOT sow the seed HE has given??? When we think of it like that, it does seem silly to not use HIS resources, HIS way! Let me share with you another passage that speaks powerfully on this.... Turn to Luke 12:16-21. Read it through and let's consider a few things about Bounty (aka seed aka money).
Whether you realize it or not we are blessed bountifully here in the USA! I believe this passage applies to EVERY born again believer in the US! We must consider a few things from this passage...
1) Bounty is an Opportunity, not a burden! (16-17)The rich man was blessed and struggled with what to do. What shall I do? It was a concern for him, a burden if you will. He wasn't sure what he should do with his new found bounty. He however did not go outside of himself for his wisdom. He decided what he needed to do. He decided to keep it for himself. Thus creating a greater burden for himself. More stuff to keep up with. More to tend and watch over! Wonder how his life would have changed if he would have asked God and followed in simple obedience......give it away!
2)Bigger is not always best.....especially when we don't consult God! (18) He naturally decided to buy bigger. He must have been an American! We rarely think about being content. We get more, we want more, we build more, we buy more!!! I will store all my crops and my goods he says......All for himself! Get the big picture! I wonder how many families could have been saved if we had just kept our lives simple??? How many kids could have grown up with the love they desperately wanted if mom's and dad's had chosen to keep their lives simple? Ever heard....I want my kids to have more???? How about more love and more time!!! Maybe we could if we didn't have so much stuff!!!
3) Bounty can lead us to paths of laziness, apathy and loss of Biblical vision! (19) Life is not about us eating and drinking and merriment. While God does allow us to enjoy the life HE has given us, I am certain HE has no desire for us to stagnate in our selfishness.....! How many brothers and sisters in Jesus have fallen prey to stagnation as they laid back in their proverbial recliners of life! How many precious souls have gone into eternity as we rest in our bounty???!!!
4) Bounty, when squandered selfishly, will be left behind.....and.....WILL BE LEFT BEHIND! (20-21) How many have left their "Stuff" behind as they left this world and headed into the next??? It is certain we can carry nothing out! So we must be careful with what we do with what HE has provided!
All the resources that HE had provided squandered on stuff that will not last nor will go into eternity!
5) Let's Be Rich Toward God! (21) So why not cooperate with God in HIS Great Work and use those GOD provided resources for HIS glory! It is a choice you know???!!! Each individual has a choice. As a matter of fact I just got off the phone with another of God's financially free servants and they just obeyed the Lord and HE has provided again! They made a choice to obey and HE is again providing!
So.....How is your seed planting going? How's your garden growing??? It's your choice!
Blessings
Bruce
What would you say to someone who said they were getting nothing out of their garden and you had asked them if they had planted any seed and they had said NO? You would no doubt laugh and say how could you expect fruit from a garden when you had planted no seed in the garden!!!
This weeks text helps us here.....
2 Corinthians 9:10...Now may HE who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
As we learned yesterday, God provides the seed.......and if we know that (HE said it in HIS word) then why in the world would we NOT sow the seed HE has given??? When we think of it like that, it does seem silly to not use HIS resources, HIS way! Let me share with you another passage that speaks powerfully on this.... Turn to Luke 12:16-21. Read it through and let's consider a few things about Bounty (aka seed aka money).
Whether you realize it or not we are blessed bountifully here in the USA! I believe this passage applies to EVERY born again believer in the US! We must consider a few things from this passage...
1) Bounty is an Opportunity, not a burden! (16-17)The rich man was blessed and struggled with what to do. What shall I do? It was a concern for him, a burden if you will. He wasn't sure what he should do with his new found bounty. He however did not go outside of himself for his wisdom. He decided what he needed to do. He decided to keep it for himself. Thus creating a greater burden for himself. More stuff to keep up with. More to tend and watch over! Wonder how his life would have changed if he would have asked God and followed in simple obedience......give it away!
2)Bigger is not always best.....especially when we don't consult God! (18) He naturally decided to buy bigger. He must have been an American! We rarely think about being content. We get more, we want more, we build more, we buy more!!! I will store all my crops and my goods he says......All for himself! Get the big picture! I wonder how many families could have been saved if we had just kept our lives simple??? How many kids could have grown up with the love they desperately wanted if mom's and dad's had chosen to keep their lives simple? Ever heard....I want my kids to have more???? How about more love and more time!!! Maybe we could if we didn't have so much stuff!!!
3) Bounty can lead us to paths of laziness, apathy and loss of Biblical vision! (19) Life is not about us eating and drinking and merriment. While God does allow us to enjoy the life HE has given us, I am certain HE has no desire for us to stagnate in our selfishness.....! How many brothers and sisters in Jesus have fallen prey to stagnation as they laid back in their proverbial recliners of life! How many precious souls have gone into eternity as we rest in our bounty???!!!
4) Bounty, when squandered selfishly, will be left behind.....and.....WILL BE LEFT BEHIND! (20-21) How many have left their "Stuff" behind as they left this world and headed into the next??? It is certain we can carry nothing out! So we must be careful with what we do with what HE has provided!
All the resources that HE had provided squandered on stuff that will not last nor will go into eternity!
5) Let's Be Rich Toward God! (21) So why not cooperate with God in HIS Great Work and use those GOD provided resources for HIS glory! It is a choice you know???!!! Each individual has a choice. As a matter of fact I just got off the phone with another of God's financially free servants and they just obeyed the Lord and HE has provided again! They made a choice to obey and HE is again providing!
So.....How is your seed planting going? How's your garden growing??? It's your choice!
Blessings
Bruce
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