The Best of You

I had an opportunity last week to speak to my church and what God had me share was on the topic of giving. I think one of the most important principals in operating in the Kingdom of God and in His system is giving. The main reason why we are all here today is because of giving, God gave us eternal life through His son Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in should not perish but have everlasting life."

The key word in that scripture is gave, God gave us His best from the beginning and He continues to give us His best everyday we wake up. The question is; have we been giving God our best? Have we been giving God our best in the area of our time, efforts, lives, money, etc…? It’s important to be in the mindset that when we give to God it’s not really to benefit Him because He owns it all in the first place, but when we give and when we give out of the correct motives and pureness of our hearts it benefits us because when we give, God is giving something back to us.

Now if you are someone that thinks you give your best every time than I say keep on doing so. I was someone that needed a little help in this area, and God gave it to me. He showed me that in the culture we live in we are taught by society since we are born the exact opposite of that critical principal of giving in Gods Kingdom. We’re taught that it’s all about us. In our society we are taught more about working hard and receiving than we are taught on giving. Now there’s nothing wrong with being a diligent worker and receiving because those too are also principals in God’s system. The problem comes in when we are taught about it so thoroughly that it hinders our giving, especially when it comes to finances.

The topic of finances is very delicate in the church because people don’t like to talk about money and the church, maybe because conviction comes into their hearts about the subject. Money and the church go hand-in-hand, there are so many things that the mature church can do with financial wealth. But before we can reach that point as one body in Christ we have to learn about giving the financial resources before we receive them. If you were someone like me that was a pretty selfish person this can be a hard lesson taught by God but trust the reward is worth it all. Two of the reasons we are hindered in giving financially is because of fear, and trust.

Fear hinders our giving because most have the mindset that when they give they will never get blessed or they don’t give because it doesn’t agree with there checkbook. If this is an issue for you, than the problem is really your trust in God. I trust in God so much to the point that if I have just enough money to either pay my tithes and offerings or buy food for my house than I’ll pay my tithes and offerings instead. I know for a fact that God will not leave me hungry, I know for a fact that God will not leave me without a roof over my head, and I know for a fact that I am His child and He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Remember when we give to our church homes we’re not just giving to be giving. But in-fact every time we do give, God puts that towards our account with Him and He knows and remembers everything you gave. Paul told the Philippians that when they gave to him it wasn’t because he wanted a gift from them but he wanted to see them reap of the blessings that God gives for such love and generosity. (Philippians 4:17 NKJV)

Some of you might say that I don’t have a big amount to give; that doesn’t matter. If your best is only a dime and you give it, God sees your heart and you are rewarded for it. The amount of money is not important; it’s all about your heart. Is your heart in the right place for giving?

Some say, but I’ve been giving and I don’t see any rewards or blessings. If this is you I would ask you to check your motives in your heart. Why do you give? Is it just so you can get that new car or house or be blessed with money to start your business? If God didn’t give you specific instructions to give toward something you desire than you’re better off putting that money toward what you desire for yourself. I know that when I give I will receive, so why would that even be my motive for giving, because that’s something that happens automatically.

No, when you give your motive should strictly be love. When God gave His son for you He knew that as a result he would receive billions of sons and daughters as a result of His one sacrifice, Jesus. But His motive for His giving was strictly out of love. “For God so loved the world that he gave…”

So as we progress throughout 2010 I challenge and God challenges you to give your best every time you give and give because you love not because you desire something.

I hope this has been a blessing on your lives.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org