Update: Where do You Give?

I would like to post an addendum to, “Where do You Give?” A friend has been writing on the problem of giving in the church during a period of recession. He is convinced that there are no recessions in the Kingdom. I believe that observation is correct. However, I do not always choose to live in the Kingdom.

I would like to quote from his newsletter:

“Kingdom Principle #1: Give . . . MORE. Whatever your current level of giving is, ask the Lord if you are to increase your giving, and if so, by how much. “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27). The moment you are still and quiet inwardly before the Lord and ask the question, He will speak—the First Voice will always be His. Please bear in mind that this is a Principle for accessing the Kingdom of God, which is the realm of the Holy Spirit, which is the realm of the IMPOSSIBLE, ie, you may be shocked by what He says, especially in light of your current economic situation! You may have to make some adjustments in your lifestyle. You may have to abandon some of your ‘American dreams’ in order to fulfill what He says to do. But for those who implement Kingdom Principles as they “seek first the Kingdom of God” by engaging the Holy Spirit and hearing from Him, “all these [material and financial] things will be added to them”. They will headed toward becoming ‘recession-proof’.”

I might have said the same thing with more caveats and what lawyers call weasel words, but he is correct. No matter at what level we give, if we are honest, most of the time, most of us, could give more. We are reluctant to hear from the Lord on this issue. We also have been hardened by guilt manipulation and promises of health and wealth from dubious ministries.

This brings up a second topic, practice. Practice makes perfect. Why should our giving be any different? As we learn to listen to the Lord in the area of giving, it is a certainty that we will make mistakes, particularly in the delicate and difficult area of person to person altruism. As we practice charity, with a heart filled with compassion and a mind submitted to God in an attitude of prayer, we will learn how to hear the Spirit when one of those important life changing opportunities presents itself.