Have you heard the one about the farmer who stuck all his seed inside his underpants? His crop wasn’t worth a pile of dung. Sad joke, I admit it. But a sadder truth!
Welcome to “Mornings with Bishop Robert” — thanks for joining me as we look at the blessings of giving … Come on in and have a seat.
Sometimes it is hard to believe the truth. Of course, that changes nothing.
Truth is truth, whether you believe it or not. Believing something doesn’t make it true. Refusing to believe something doesn’t make it false.
Yesterday I was speaking with someone who mentioned a Buddhist friend they knew who had just died. He said, “Well, at least as a Buddhist he believed in reincarnation, so I he’ll hopefully come back as someone very special.” Sadly, it doesn’t work that way. The truth is that it is appointed unto us ONCE to die, and then after that we face our judgement. Believing something else won’t change that.
It is similar when it comes to giving. People believe all sorts of things about giving. Some believe that they don’t have enough money to be faithful with their tithe. Others believe they need to hold onto everything they get so they can provide for their future. Hogwash! I know better!!! I’ve seen God PROVE Himself faithful over and over and over again.
Today’s verse says GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER
Sticking your tithe into your own bank account is like a farmer hiding seed in his underwear. It’s safely hidden, but it will never grow and become fruitful. Hide your seed and you’ll have seed. Seed that rots because it is not where it is supposed to be. PLANT your seed and you’ll get MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!!
One kernel of corn can produce dozens of ears of corn. I know, because I’ve planted corn. It takes time, of course. But once it is planted, you’ve got corn coming!!! One acorn produces an oak tree; and the oak tree produces thousands and thousands of acorns. Tithing is like that. Giving is like that.
When I had cancer, there were months when our FULL TITHE was five dollars. (If you’re not good at math, that means that me, my wife and our children had an income of fifty dollars that month.) We could have said, “We can’t afford to tithe. Look at how little we have!” But TRUTH IS TRUTH. God promises provision when you are faithful with the tithe. My wife knew that we couldn’t afford NOT TO TITHE!!!! And God – true to His promises — ALWAYS PROVIDED.
I’m telling you the truth. It truly and absolutely is MORE BLESSED TO GIVE than to receive. God TRULY IS faithful. Sometimes it takes time, but that’s a test of our faith, not His ability. If you’re not tithing faithfully and fully, you’re not only robbing God, you’re robbing yourself. I’m not saying you have to give to the Continuing Communion, I’m saying you have to give your tithe to the place where God is feeding you and where He has called you.
Here’s an experiment. Just for ONE YEAR I dare you to be faithful to bring your FULL TITHE to God and place it into His hands. At the end of the year, look back and see if you want to stop. You’ll find that God has proven Himself faithful, because He ALWAYS does. As you examine the year, you’ll see that God has blessed you in many unforeseen and unexpected ways; and they won’t all be financial. One of he greatest things you’ll see in yourself is stronger faith and GREATER CLOSENESS.
MONEY is a problem of the heart before it is a math problem. It doesn’t really matter how much money you have. What truly matters is how much your money has you.
Sometimes we’re seeking greater clarity —
How will this situation work out?
How will those bills be paid?
BUT GOD WANTS US TO HAVE GREATER CLOSENESS.
He wants us to learn that when we are faithful, we see His faithfulness.
You can stick your seed in your crotch if you prefer, but it just makes for smelly seed. As for me and my family, we’re going to PLANT our seed into GOOD SOIL.
