GENEROSITY VS GIVING

06/28/2023

"Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 26:4).

There is a sharp contrast between generosity and giving, as is touted in certain circles. The difference is the absence or presence of a designated priest to receive your giving and present it on the altar of the Lord. Make no mistake about it; nothing could be more spiritual financially when you give in the prescribed order. 

Now, I know that generosity and giving might seem like semantics, but generosity in the house of God is like lending to God. Proverbs 19:17 says, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given." Alms-giving is a type of generosity, and there is nothing wrong with this. 

The only thing is that generosity is not an offering. The one who is generous takes the position of a benefactor or sponsor. Whereas the one who gives an offering is a beneficiary. While your generosity may simply require that you write a check or dip your hand in your purse to pull out a wad of cash, your offering requires your gift, a priest, the altar of the Lord, and spoken words. An offering is a form of worship, and this is why you cannot be casual about it. 

Many have often wondered why their financial lives are not exponential despite the amounts they put in the offering envelope. This is the reason. You cannot be generous to God; you actually need Him to accept your offering and speak words over you through His designated priest in your life or over the causes that He instructs you to give. This simple adjustment may mean that you concentrate on giving according to the prescribed order and not merely being generous to every and any cause, whether it is at church or some other place. Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Therein lies a guarantee that when you give, God will cause men to give to you beyond your giving. 

Make a plan to give at the next meeting today, and if you are led, send that gift right now. You can leave it at the altar, hand it over to your Pastor, or use one of our digital channels. When God visits you with a word, be smart to act on it as soon as possible. 

Have a blessed day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am generous to others. Yet, concerning my financial prosperity, I apply the laws of giving. I give at the altar of God through His designated priest with a pure conscience. People are then placed under obligation to give to me, patronize my business and hire my services. I am an endless conduit for kingdom finance, and my finances are supernaturally generated by the authority of the Name of Jesus. Hallelujah!

One-Year Reading Plan: Job 10-12; Acts 8:1-25

PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OF NATIONS

1 Timothy 2: 1-3 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth".

Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."

Pray for the well-being of all in authority and for the safety their families. 

Pray that they would be instruments in the hand of the Lord to fulfill His plans and purposes. Pray that God's mercy be extended to them, causing them to function in wisdom and the fear of God.

Pray for peace in your nation and that the voices and influences of those who take positions against the Lord and His gospel be diminished.

Pray for the unhindered spread of the gospel. Pray that the Word of God may have free course and be glorified.

Pray against fear, violence, wickedness, and all forms of injustice, declaring peace, progress, stability, and prosperity for the furtherance of God's kingdom. Pray that all malicious and antichrist policies and laws crafted to hinder the gospel be voided.

Pray that the name of the Lord be glorified. Amen.