GLORIFYING GOD: (cont’d)
5. Through our giving – In my previous blog I addressed the scriptural mandate to give 10% of all we have to the Lord. The Bible talks about giving back to God the “first fruits” of all he has blessed us with. We’re talking about the first 10% and not the last 10%. In reality God is being extremely generous because everything belongs to God. 100% of everything you have is because God has graciously allowed you to have it. God doesn’t need your 10% but by allowing you to give back to the Lord what he already owns he is justified in blessing you. You’re giving back to the Lord for your benefit not God’s. You’re not doing God any favors; just the opposite.
“You reap what you sow,” is a spiritual law of heaven which means God is reciprocal. You give to God and he gives back to you, only God gives bigger and better. When you give 10% to the Lord God will reciprocate and bless your remaining 90%. You will always wind up better off financially than if you hadn’t given anything to God in the first place. I’m not saying we should give in order to get more back. What I’m saying is God is good, God is great, and God is generous beyond belief to those who love him.
In our society the churches have taken that scriptural mandate to mean you must give that 10% of all you have directly to the church so they can decide how to spend the money. There is nothing wrong with tithing 10% to your church if that’s what you want to do but don’t for a minute think you have to do it that way. You’re not going to hell if you don’t give your money to the church. Tithing 10% to your church is just one of many ways to give back to the Lord but I don’t think it’s the best way to give. You have no control over where tithe money goes or what it’s used for. Maybe you’re paying for an airconditioned dog house for the Pastor’s dog. Maybe you’re funding a week long deacon’s spiritual retreat at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City or in Hawaii. You just don’t know where your money goes and that’s a problem.
We know God put us here on earth to seek him out and decide who we will serve, God or Satan. We’re to emulate Christ and live our lives in such a way that we bring honor and glory to God. One of the ways the Bible says we honor God is by doing good works and that takes money, your money. The Bible says you’re to give 10% back to the Lord, which can be in the form of good works where you decide where to spend the money instead of the church accountant. I prefer funding good works myself because it keeps my mind focused on God and how good and great he really is. When you think about God that is worship, which we are all to do. Why not do good works and worship God at the same time? The definition of worship is to have deep respect and admiration for the object you’re thinking about, which in this case is God.
Look at it this way. Tithing is like putting your money into a mutual fund. It’s impersonal, it’s no fun, and you get no benefit from it other than the initial buzz from putting in your money. Funding good works is like picking your own stocks. You have to do your own research on the stock market and then keep an eye on you investment so you can buy or sell as needed. Which type of investor do you think will please God more? You and I both know God prefers a hands-on believer with skin in the game and that’s the believe who puts his money where his mouth is and where his heart is. The good part is with prayer the Holy Spirit will help guide you so your gift pleases the Lord.
Let me be clear. There’s one thing I’ve learned during my study of God’s Word and that is God is reciprocal. With God you, “reap what you sow,” because it’s a spiritual law of heaven. On the last Day if God is going to remember every sinful act of the nonbeliever and judge them for those actions. You can also be sure God will be fair and he will remember every good deed of every believers who comes before the bema judgment of Jesus. Let me repeat myself because this is critically important. God will be fair to both believers and nonbelievers. Jesus will hold nonbelievers accountable for their sins at the Great White Throne judgment on the last Day.
The sins of believers have been forgiven so they will be rewarded for their good works by Jesus at the bema judgment seat. We’re going to be amazed in heaven by the fact that no kindness, no matter how small, will be overlooked by Jesus and we’ll be rewarded for it. Everything about our lives is under a microscope. God never sleeps. God misses nothing we do so live your life as if you’re under constant observation, because you are. Conduct your life at all times so as to please God. When you sin, and you will sin, ask God to forgive you immediately. You’re in luck because God has promised he will forgive any sin you confess to him. Take advantage of God’s mercy and grace every day.
It’s a scary thing knowing God sees everything you do and knows your every thought. At the same time it’s also a golden opportunity to build up treasure in heaven. A believer gives from the heart and not because he expects anything in return. I agree with the Apostle Paul when he says we are to run the race God gives us in such a way that we win the prize. There’s no shame in knowing we build up treasure in heaven by our good works and then trying to achieve it. Whatever you give to charity or by your good works you’ll get back tenfold in heaven.
During my 31 year career working for the federal government a little bit of every paycheck was automatically deducted and sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. That’s where my heart was and still is. God will reward me tenfold one day for my generosity. Where’s your heart and what are you doing about it? Are you depending on someone else to do what you want done for the less fortunate? Never wait for the other guy to do what you should be doing yourself. Do you think it’s up to your church to help others since you tithe? Have you washed your hands of any personal responsibility to do God’s work? Are you a watcher or a doer of God’s Word? I have a suggestion. Plan your work for God and then work that plan relentlessly until you achieve the results you want. God is watching you so don’t let him down. Your goal should be to hear Jesus say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Philippians 4:19 – And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 13:16 – But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.