THE LIFE OF LEGACY – GIVING WITH DIFFERENCE
May we receive the grace for obedience by today’s discussion in Jesus name.
Our anchor Scripture @ World Changers is Isaiah 58 verse 12
Isaiah 58:12 KJV
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
The Christian teaching on giving today is full of flaws.
The reason is because it is self centered not Christ centered.
John 3:16 shows us a God who gives because he loves
When your giving is propelled because of greed for more. It’s not a legacy giving.
When you’re taught to sow seed to reap millions. It’s like gambling with God. Often those who follow such seductive teachings grow poorer.
Until you’re cajoled to give you wouldn’t give?
When you give because you don’t want to suffer losses your giving is like Gentile’s type who give alms based on a herbalist’s prescription. A fear based giving is not love based. If it’s not love based it is not acceptable by a God of love.
In Nigeria we have prophets that paints gloom. Then they tell you to sow seed to combat the imminent doom.
Then they gain followers… That’s the irony.
Such givers in their millions rarely become significant personalities in life. This is feasible with poverty around us in spite of those kinds of givers.
The reason: They give for selfish reasons.
Jesus said, except a grain of seed die, it abides alone. This is talking about sacrificial life towards others.
When Jesus Christ died, he didn’t die for himself but he died for US all.
When all your labour, earning, income is only for you and your loved ones, such giving wouldn’t stand the test of time. What difference between you and the gentiles?
This message is necessary that I may be innocent before God and man.
You see, I rarely talk about how people spend their money until God lets me see why it concerned me…
I have a Christian brother whose cause was always towards himself. I have seen him living pretty for himself, nothing more per se.
Then he came to me for counsel that all he has always worked for always get lost no sooner he gathers. Then I have to take him through this secret.
I told him, a Christian don’t own anything. We are only custodians of God’s heritage.
God flows through us. We are the pipe that distribute his resources to the world according to his design.
Since we are his managers. When we hold what’s not ours, we soon or later lose it.
When we begin to use his resources as directed, then we cease from suffering losses.
Christians don’t give so that they can increase or fight demons.
They give as directed by God and the spirit of love. Then because we have obeyed God, he increases us.
We own nothing, so we must be humble to serve the Lord as custodians.
For instance I don’t have to wait for anyone here to praise me to use my gift here. Necessity is upon me. My approval is from God.
And I don’t do things here for your reward…
But knowing, if I do it diligently the Lord will reward.
We preach not because of reward, we preach because we are commanded.
In the same way, we give not because of reward but instead we give because we are commanded. And all good gifts come from above.
In our opening Scripture of Isaiah 12, reading through the entire Scripture we find the Lord’s kind of giving that leads to open heaven.
No matter who is preaching it, when you give to charlatans you end up losing your money and gifts.
Do you know why many African society continue to grow in poverty in spite of the terrific giving in Christian circles? We give for the wrong reasons and for wrong purposes.
The only giving that brings heaven down is the sacrificial giving
Psalm 50:5 KJV
Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Note: It is not sacrifice when you give to God on barter. God is not our mate.
In Genesis 22, Father Abraham didn’t take Isaac to Moriah on barter.
He took his son to be sacrificed based on the injunction of God.
When God calls for your sacrifice, it’s not on your term but God’s.
What Abraham did left a legacy on ground till today…
It’s a type of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Moslem still recognize that act of Abraham every year.
For emphasis, read this Scripture. It says it all…
Isaiah 58:1-14 KJV
In our days, we give so that we can have more, then turn around to oppress others.
When God directs your giving it looks like losses because the person you give to will often not have the capacity to repay you. But God will repay you.
In the book of Proverbs the Bible says: he who gives to the poor lends to God.
According to this Scripture, our giving don’t have to be in the church.
Here it is about giving to meet needs.
If you begin to give this way, you will make a difference
If you give this way, you will stand out in your generation
Isaiah 58:12 KJV
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
From today, extend your giving beyond you, family and personal cause.
When you do this you’ll become relevant and you will matter in the scheme of God.
Thank you
