It was another great moment of fellowship with like-minded believers. Treasure Vibes led the congregation in an awesome moment of worship.
The preacher started with a short opening prayer and announced the sermon title, ‘How to Determine Your Harvest,’ and gave a brief recap of some key points from the previous week’s sermon.
Knowledge is very important in Christianity. Having accurate knowledge of God is important for us as Christians. Christianity is a function of knowing. As you know, you start to take advantage of everything God has richly provided for us.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
As believers, we must excel in all areas as priests, including giving:
“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)
We show forth excellence in everything, including giving. That is the grace of giving which we have already received in Christ.
Pillars for Giving
The motive for giving is foundational. Right giving that leads to a great return lies on the pillars of love and honor.
Pillar 1: Love
“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)
As believers, anything done outside of love has no profit. Giving in the kingdom is founded on love. Where love dwells, faith is resident too. Note that faith works by love. Anything done outside of faith is not acceptable.
We see that for the churches in Macedonia, their state of heart was shown clearly. They were willing beyond their power to give themselves to ministering to the saints. They gave themselves first to God, then to the believers. That was from the pillar of love. (Ref: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.” (2 Corinthians 8:8,10)
The same applies to us too.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
God loves anyone who gives cheerfully.
Pillar 2: Honor
“What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.” (2 Corinthians 8:19)
Giving is honor. Honor is recognizing God as the giver of all things.
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 helps us understand that God gives us the ability to create wealth. In Genesis 14:18, God gave first, and Abraham gave in return in honor of God.
Giving is not transactional. We give to God in honor out of what God has given to us.
Examining the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21, he was described as foolish because he wasn’t rich towards God. He attributed everything to himself. However, as children of God, we are to be rich towards God, acknowledging Him as the source and provider.
Where to Give
– To the poor
– To parents – in honor.
– To the body of Christ – We give as the body of Christ to the body as a purpose of function to the body. (1 Corinthians 12:12,27) We are members of the body, and we ought to give to the body.
During the earthly ministry of Christ, there was a common purse to cater to the ministry needs and the poor. (John 12:5; John 13:29) There’s strength in unity and numbers. (Acts 11:29) It also talks about giving to the common purse as a body.
How to Determine Your Harvest
2 Corinthians 9:7-10: What you do with your seed will determine your harvest. (Genesis 8:22) Seed time and harvest time do not cease. God still gives seed and bread. Each one should determine what to do with it. Those who give keep having more to give.
In closing, we were encouraged not to be too calculative in giving. People’s faith should be based on the Scriptures and not on the testimonies of men. Your belief should be based on God’s word.
Your giving is never lost;it will surely come in the form of a harvest.
Shalom.
