VOWS, ALMS AND OFFERINGS
In this chapter we’d like to discuss the life of the giver. Giving is what causes a person to become successful in life, there is a direct comparison to those who do not give.
When we use the word GOALS as an acronym we would readily see;
GO
ACHIVE
LIFE
STYLE
The lifestyle you chose to live can only be accomplished as direct result to the way you give. This then is what we need to examine in the next few pages.
In this chapter we will see that our vows; are our savings account against the day of trouble. Our alms giving; brings to the works of our hands prosperity. That tithing; covers our day to day needs and finally that offerings; are what brings the abundant sluppy.
We are talking about developing within you the life of the giver, not the life of a user. Many people do not understand what an offering and a tithe are, nor do they understand alms giving or keeping vows.
“I thought there was only two. There is only offering and tithing. Now you’re going to tell me something I already know. I don’t want to hear it.”
If that is your attitude, you can close this book and miss God’s blessings. Your giving determines the success you have in life. It will set you free in your finances. Your life should be a life of giving. If you are not a giver, then you are a user. You can only be one of two. You need to decide, which one you are going to be. These areas will work in your life if you apply them properly.
VOW
A vow is a solemn promise to God to perform some act or to follow out some line of conduct. It is also a pledge of faithfulness. It makes a binding agreement between you and God. Did you catch that? It becomes your word to God. It is a swearing of an oath and it becomes your responsibility to perform your oath.
UNDER PRESSURE
You see different ministries today on various media, where they apply stress or pressure. “You vow this before God and God will do this for you.” Listen, let me tell you something. God has already done everything He is going to do for you. It is done. You cannot buy God. When you make a vow before God, it’s between you and God only, no man has the right nor the power to put you under any stress to make oaths pledges or promise giving to their ministry. What you do is between you and God.
When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it should be no sin in thee. Deuteronomy 23: 21,22
When you make a commitment you put your word on the line. It’s your word! What is your word worth? If it’s worth anything, you will keep your word. If you don’t put your word on it, then you don’t have to keep it.
If someone said to me, “I’ll be here at such and such a time.” I expect that person to be there. If they are not, it takes away a bit of their integrity. That is what these scriptures are saying. Keep your word. When you make a vow or put your word on something, keep it, or don’t vow. People will often do that. They put their word on something and they’ve done so out of pressure.
Have you ever made a bargain with God? Be honest! I know I did. “Oh God, if you’ll get me out of this situation, I’ll do this and this and this.” You are lying. I know it and you know it. When He gets you out of it, you don’t live up to your word. Your word is worthless.
I remember having a dozen guys chase me for blocks and blocks. In those days I as doing some long distance running and was out running them. One guy jumped in a car and began chasing me. I crawled into the back of another car and lied down on the floor of the back seat. These guys were all standing around the car and they didn’t see me. I remember praying, “God, if you get me out of this. I will give my life to you.” I didn’t, not right then anyway. I did so later in my life.
We have all said this kind of stuff at one point or another in our lives. Making bargains with God and then go back on our word. What did we just read in Deut 23:21,22? When you make a vow, keep your word because if you don’t, it is sin unto you. It’s your word not someone else’s.
Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. Psalms 76:11
It is good to make a vow, but again it is something personal. The Catholic Priests and Nuns make certain vows that they are going to live a certain lifestyle before God. It’s a personal word committed unto God. We are no different. Your word is your word. Your integrity and honor is on the line and for that reason no one can pressure you.
Some Churches fund raise and say, “Listen guys, we need this and this.” If they would trust God for their need they would receive it, instead of placing their eyes on the people and asking them to vow. “I’ll give so much money every month beyond my tithe to do this and this.” That is wrong! It is wrong to put pressure on people to give. It’s not scriptural. Many preachers won’t like that statement, but too bad! From Psalms 76:11, they mount big, fund raising campaigns. The scripture is not saying that. It says, if you vow, you pay, but it is your vow to God not to man. Again, I must bring up the point that it’s your decision, not someone putting any pressure on you to give.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Every man give as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver”.
It instructs us to give as we have purposed in our heart. Therefore we should realize that if someone places pressure on you then it is not the original intent or purpose that you had in your giving. To give as you’ve purpose is to be obedient to the Word. This will provide God pleasure in your giving, giving through pressure does not. No man ever has been the “cheerful giver” when they’ve been place under pressure to give.
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Ecc 5:4,5
Now, you can make a vow, and I say it again; it’s between you and God. You decide. What you are going to do? If you decide you want to vow, what does that become. We are speaking financially. If you decide you are going to give so much above your tithe, then that becomes an offering. A special offering unto God I like to call it the offering of commitment. You are committing your word, money and lifestyle over to God. It is doing something beyond what God ask’s and you show yourself commited to the things of God in this form of giving. What do you suppose God is going to do with your commitment? We see in Ephesians that He can do things beyond our highest desires.
Ephesians 3:20
“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”.
Never forget that when we commit one hundred percent to God, he’s committed the same to us.
A vow is a faith promise commitment before God, and it is for this reason that God commands that when you vow you should pay. For it should be with a clear mind and honest heart that your vow is given.
Should the Christian vow unto the Lord today? Yes, every Christian should be seeking God as to what they can do on a consistent basis.
He through the Holy Spirit will reveal unto us as to what we are to do. Then be obedient and follow through with it. God has great love for those who are obedient unto His Word. He will move heaven and earth to see that they live a blessed life.
Isaiah 1:19;
“If you willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land”.
If you willing to hear what the Spirit of God is saying unto you in this matter then be obedient to it God will see to that you live in the good of the land.
There is a place that the offering of commitment (vow) brings you to that no other seemingly does. It is a place of moving the hand of God in times of trouble.
Psalms 50:14,15;
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most high: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
The reason for this is that it usually in a time of hardship when someone vows something unto God. God is saying “it is through your praise of me that I will move on your behalf, and it is through your own fulfilment of your promise to me that you bring glory unto me”.
It is not unreasonable for you to expect God to move on your behalf when you commit your way unto Him, for it is through the power of the Word that you will be established and it is through your vows that God releases the answer to prayer. This is one area that many Christians have left behind simply because of the abuse they have taken from unscrupulous leaders and pastors.
By your acquainting yourself with the Word and having a full understanding of the things of the Word you will be able to make and pay vows receiving the answer in your day of trouble.
One final scripture on this topic before we move on to alms giving.
Job 22:21‑28;
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shall be built up, thou shall put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shall thou lay up gold as dust and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. For then shalt thou have delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him and he shall hear thee, and thou shall pay thy vows. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Living a life committed to all of what the Word declares including our vows will always produce for us the highest quality of living. Being acquitted with God brings peace, surety, riches (gold & silver in these verses), delight, audience with the Most High, and then He establishes you in all your ways.
ALMS GIVING
Some people are a little confused of what alms giving is. The Greek word for alms is eleemosune (el‑eh‑ay‑mos‑oo‑nay), which means compassion, to show compassion upon the poor. When you give alms, you are showing compassion upon the poor.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:1‑4
It does not say here that you do not give alms. That is an important part of our giving, above the tithe. It is not part of the tithe. It is above it. The first 10% of your increase belongs to the Lord. So if you are going to give alms, which is assisting or helping the needs of the poor, it’s above the tithe.
“Why should I give alms?”
Well, if you’re a smart person, you would have seen in the scripture twice, you have a reward. The Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. Obviously, that means it’s well worthwhile to be helping the poor. There is something else in there more than just giving to the poor.
“Well, if I gave the poor $600.00, that is seed faith giving. I can believe that it will grow up and become something more than that $600.00, can’t it.” No, that is not actually true. Proverbs 19:17 says,
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
If you gave that $600.00 to the poor, you gave it to God. God is not going to be in debt to you or anybody for anything. He is going to give it back to you. That is all that scripture is saying there.
A REWARD
All we, were the poor, one way or another. Until you got saved, you were the poor. You might have been a millionaire. Until you got saved, you were the poor. Christ had pity on you. Christ had pity on the poor. His whole ministry, spiritually, physically and financial was to the poor.
The scriptures are talking specifically about the financially poor in certain areas of their lives. When you give to the poor there is a reward in it for you.
Let’s look in a couple of places where it talks about that reward. Note that Jesus is speaking this.
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these thing do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:29‑34
When you give alms, you are setting yourself up for a treasure in heaven. What’s your treasure? I have no idea. I have not been there. I have come to believe that if Jesus Himself said there is a treasure there. Then there is a treasure. Think of some treasures that are either buried in the land or the oceans of this world. They don’t compare with the treasure that Jesus has in store for you, when you give to the poor. It is part of the ministry of Christ. To meet the needs of the poor.
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART
“Oh, Brother Ron, I know that I can give … I need some thing now. I can’t wait to get to heaven. I want to give to the poor, but …”
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
This command of God is not under the curse of the law. This is how to live your life. It’s fulfilling what Jesus said. You will not harden your heart to that poor man.
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
You are to give to him. Remember what it said in Proverbs. When you give to him you are giving to God. God will repay you.
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
Thou shalt give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him:
Be a cheerful giver. Freely and not begrudgingly.
because that for this thing
For you operating in alms giving.
the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
Deuteronomy 15:7‑10
If you have lack of blessing, check yourself. Are you giving to the poor? Are you ministering to the poor? Are you meeting the needs of the poor? We need to wake up and realize that the ministry to the poor, is the main reason for the ministry.
When we minister to the poor, the Word of God says that God will bless you in all that you set your hand to do, everything. Again, your ministry of alms giving is to the poor. It is above your tithe.
At the end of three years thou shall bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Deuteronomy 14:28,29
The Lord your God may bless you in all that you set your hand to do. Underline those words in all. Giving to the poor and to those who require it, brings upon you the blessing of God, in all that you set your hand to do. We must understand the reason of giving to the poor.
It must be clearly understood that had the church continued in this area of ministry (some have, most do not) then there would be no need for the welfare systems. The governments of the world would not have a need for as much tax as they demand. Yet the church did not so the government extracts more than what is needful form you and I. We end up paying a tithe unto them beginning at 30% instead of the 10% that God required.
There really is a place that giving to the poor is needful, we should never turn away a poor person. Does that mean that we allow the poor just take anything they demand. No, if they are in true need they will be willing to what is required to help meet their own need. The lazy person, rich or poor, need not look to the church nor the government for support, scripture says “if a man will not work, neither let him eat”. I have no sympathy for the lazy poor person. Work and you may eat.
However the true needy, poor or destitute will find a place always in the heart of God. If God looks after them then He must do it through you and I.
In our church after we tithe (yes even as a church) then we set aside another 10% for assisting in meeting the needs of the poor. It is a good practice, and one pleasing unto God. It also make the people of the congregation feel good knowing that they help feed some persons this week.
OFFERINGS
The way to describe an offering is that it is an act of the free will: for today. In the Old Testament there were all kinds of offerings but we are beyond that. We do not live in the Old Testament any longer. An offering today is an act of free will to bring pleasure to the Most High God. It is given above the tithe and is usually something of cost.
SOMETHING OF COST
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Imagine in your mind that picture of Jesus. Your finances are of interest to Jesus. Here, He is sitting right beside the offering. He’s watching people put their money in the treasury. His interest is in your finances. He is sitting in the synagogue watching. Picture that scene in your mind … And he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And he said, of a truth I say unto you, that
this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
He is talking to His disciples and those people sitting around him.
For all these have of their abundance cast in
unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Luke 21:1‑4
This woman gave everything. It cost her. Do you think God is not going to bless that women with Him sitting right there, watching it? An offering is usually something that costs you something. If it means little to you, it must also mean little to God. Jesus Christ was the highest offering for God gave His very best as offering to you.
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Ephesians 5:2
Himself! The highest offering ever possible, He gave Himself to God as a sweetsmelling savour. That meant it was the highest offering that would please God.
His offering wasn’t to God. His offering was to you, to you for God. You have the choice to receive it or reject it.
How do you except His offering? What kind of offerings do we give God? Is your offering costing you something? Is it done freely and willing? The scripture says that He walked in love. Is your offering done through love, or is it done because someone put pressure on you? Don’t ever give under pressure! Anytime someone applies pressure to the seed, it kills it. The seed, cannot endure pressure. Your offering is seed giving, which means it is going to grow for you and produce a return.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
What was He expecting? Expecting His enemies made His footstool. No! Jesus had already wiped them out. He was expecting you! He gave His life for you. He expects every one of us to except Him. Then walk on His enemies by taking and using His authority. That is what He was expecting.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 10:10‑14
The one offering made you perfect. We really need to examine the offering within ourselves and understanding its power. God fulfilled the covenant He has with us. When you bring an offering unto God, you are worshipping the Most High God.
THE FIRST OFFERING
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth (Angry), and his countenance fell (he sulked).
And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Genesis 4:1‑7
God was warning Cain about sin. In verse three, it says, and in the process of time … That meant when Cain and Abel became old enough to believe God, they were to bring God an offering.
Why did God look at Abel’s offering with favor and Cain’s offering with disfavor? Cain brought the first fruits of his ground. Was there a problem with that? The ground was cursed
Do you think that something cursed could bring freedom from the curse? Of course not. Cain brought the first fruits of the ground. He wasn’t bringing the offering. He was bringing the tithe. There is a difference. It was already God’s. It didn’t cost Cain anything. He brought the tithe and brought it out of a cursed ground. Are you getting the point?
We must understand the difference between offering and tithing. When you bring your tithe, you make certain declarations before God. It is already God’s. When you bring an offering that is above the tithe, you bring it to worship God. There is a difference in that. Cain brought the tithe, that had already belonged to God.
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord. Leviticus 27:30
Who said it was the Lord’s? He did! Who are we to argue?
Abel did something different. Abel knew inside there had to be the shedding of blood to make atonement for sin. He brought the lamb unto God. There is also an interesting phrase in there as well. He brought the lamb and the fat thereof. Abel brought the finest unto God and he didn’t hold anything back. He gave it all. That animal was surely to be the finest one he had. It cost him something, the animal. Abel knew within him because he learned from Adam and Eve the Word of God.
“One day we are going to stand free of the curse that we had brought upon ourselves.” Eve thought for sure that it would be one of her sons. Her joy when Cain was born. “I gotten a man child from the Lord.” She thought. “Oh boy, this is the guy.” She put faith into action. “I’ve gotten a man who is going to crush the head of Satan who deceived me.” She was operating in faith, living under the curse they had brought upon themselves. Teaching the children God’s Word, that in all you do, you live by faith. “I’ve gotten a man.” There is hope in that. So when they grew, and in the process of time, to bring God an offering that would be acceptable.
Cain brought upon himself dishonor by making an offering that was not acceptable to God. He knew different. He knew what belonged to God and what didn’t. He also knew that the fruit came from a cursed ground.
Abel brought a live animal that shed blood to cover the sin, the curse. The offering cost him something.
What is the attitude in bringing an offering? “I’ll just bring my tithe to cover myself.” That is okay. You don’t have to bring an offering unto God. You don’t have to say vows before God. You don’t have to take care of the poor in alms giving. You don’t have to do any of these givings. However, if you don’t, God doesn’t have to bless you either. You can believe for that tithe to grow and it will. Still you are missing out on a whole lot more in your life by not taking part in the others.
WHERE DO I GIVE?
Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that
I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord:
Deuteronomy 12:11
“God, where do I give?” That is always the big question in peoples minds. “Where do I give?” The scripture says that you are to bring it to the place the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell. If the presence of the Lord is not there, don’t bring your tithe, vow, alms and offerings.
Ever listen to some people, “Oh this is the church God has for me. Nothing ever goes on. We don’t get fed. We don’t get taught. The spirit of God never moves, but he has me there.” You are so blind and so foolish and so dull‑witted. If God has left, then He doesn’t have you there either. You belong where the Spirit of God is moving. If the Spirit of God has left, so should you. What are you doing there?
“Well, we are giving to other ministries.”
The tithe belongs where you are fed, the church.
“Yes, but I get fed off the television.”
That is not the church.
“So what do we give to television?”
You give the offerings.
“You mean I can’t divide my tithe?”
Have you ever seen a broken seed grow? I haven’t. Dividing your tithe breaks the seed.
And this have ye done again, covering the alter of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
Malachi 2:13
“Oh God, (sob) you just got to help me in this situation. I’m going to bring an offering (sob) and I’m going to give it to you.” (sob)
Does that sound like some of those guys on television? “Yes, give your offerings down here.”
Don’t do it. They cover the alter with tears and crying, and it says here that God will not receive that.
“Do you mean that you are not going to receive my offering!” An idiot trying to buy God. God has laid out certain rules that when you bring your tithe and offerings you do it His way.
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
Malachi 2:14
When you deal treachery with your partner, that is not honoring them God will not receive your offering from you. But also when you deal treacherously against your church God will not receive your offering (oh, the church will, but God does not and it is He that causes it to grow). Watch that you deal circumspectly with all those around you including your church.
WHO SHALL STAND
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, when ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:1
Behold I will send my messenger. He is talking about Jesus and to the Church of God, the Christians. This is a prophecy, a foretelling. I am going to send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple. Where is His temple? You are the temple of God. Even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in … Understand where you stand in the covenant of God. It is the most forceful agreement. If you don’t understand what blood covenants are about you don’t understand the Word of God.
Verse one is a clear reference of the coming of the Lord. Now we have become His temple. It is our delight to remain within it. This chapter of Malachi is also for the entire body of Christ. We have the completion of the covenant of God within ourselves. Christ Jesus is that completion. The Lord becomes our happiness, our delight, our joy and pleasure. He, raptures and gratifies us … that whom we have delight in.
In verses 2‑4 it shows the power of Christ when He returns at His second coming. Who shall stand at His return? Those who are His. Those who have already gone through the purifying and those who have received His Word into their heart. They become pure as gold, because of the power of the Holy Spirit working within them.
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for his is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the son of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
And I will come near to you to judgement; andI will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:2‑5
You bring oppression upon people by not meeting their needs. The judgement is against His enemies.
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6
That is protection. The Lord changes not. He keeps His covenant that he made with Isaac, Jacob, Abraham. Christ said that He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. He had a covenant with them. We have that same covenant. The covenant He made with Abraham was before the Jewish nation ever existed. We have the inheritance of Abraham. Part of that covenant though, is our giving and our tithing.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:7,8
This is the real cause of the problem in the church. “I don’t want to do the giving stuff. It is under the Old Testament and under the law.” Well, we have already mentioned how much Christ did. One third of Christ’ ministry dealt with finances. It is not under the curse.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:10‑12
We are cursed with a curse if we withdraw from our giving. Who cursed you? Did God curse you? Is God going around cursing His children? No. You brought it upon yourself. Satan has laws of withholding, as there are laws of seed time and harvest. He has laws of withholding. Satan is there to rob, steal, kill and destroy what you have. Don’t let him. Become a giver, learn to give. Don’t live under the curse, live in the blessing. I, myself, would have the blessings we have just read.
... that I will open the windows and pour out a blessing, there shall not be room enough to receive it.
These are same windows that He opened for Noah’s flood. Enough water poured out upon the earth that Noah sailed around the world for a year. God said, I am going to open the same windows and pour you out a blessing. There shall not be room enough to receive it. It is the same windows with water and I’ll take the same windows with blessings. “Here I am Lord! Start the down pour. I am ready to receive it. I’ve been giving my tithes and offerings. I’ve been giving my alms and vows.”
He qualifies it a bit here. … bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse. Now the offerings are history. Bring them to the place where I have placed my name so there will be meat in my house. What does that mean? So it could fulfill the job that of the ministry that He has set for them to do. We are all called to do the work of the ministry, to meet the needs of the people. Take time to study through tithes and offerings, alms and vows. Every one of them bless. Not only upon the one who receives, but also the one giving.
A GIVER OR A TAKER
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38
Learn the life of a giver. Become a giver. There is no question about it, it shall be given unto you. Many people quote that scripture and stop at shall men give into your bosom. They don’t want to take the rest of the verse, the key part of the verse. For with the same measure that yea mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Everything you do in your life should be to give. There are certain people who have developed a life of giving. There are certain people who have developed a life of taking. If you are one of those takers, I suggest you change your pattern and learn to become a giver. You don’t have money, so what! This is not just talking about money. It is speaking of your entire life style. Prosperity is not just finances.
I have seen people bend over backward for others. Being in a pastoral position, there is much you give that people know nothing about. You do everything. You change your schedules. You go across town to meet with them and they may or may not be there. Even take someone across town who does not even bother to thank you. There is a life of a giver and there is a life of a user. Don’t become the user. Become the giver. Don’t give because of what the result would be. Give because you want to be a giver. The result will come.
When you plant a seed into the ground, you don’t have to worry about it. You just know that it is going to grow and produce for you. Don’t dig it up. Give it time and it will grow. Just keep planting. Keep planting. Keep planting. God will see to the harvest.