Financial Blessing's
I have been to many Churches that pass the offering plate more than once and stress how God will bless those who give. Here are some scriptures to help keep things in perspective. Or Pastors tend to ask for more offerings for this or that.
Luke 6:38-39
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."
NKJV
1 Cor 16:2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money
in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections
will have to be made.
(NIV)
2 Cor 9:6-8
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in
his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And
God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all
sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
NKJV
1 Tim 6:3-6
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of
our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands
nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words
that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant
friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and
who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
NIV
1 Tim 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,
which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command
them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure
for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
NIV
Mal 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the
floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room
enough for it.
(NIV)
Most of us know that tithing started with Abraham. It is not a New
Testament teaching. But just like many things from the Old testament, I believe
that tithing was a standard for us to go by. A "shadow" or an example if you
will.
So to start with, if y0u don't feel like giving, don't. Because if it is
given grudgingly it is not acceptable to the Lord. If your hesitant, but really
want to give, start small. Something you will be comfortable with. But bear in
mind. The church continues to function based on what people give.
It's when you
hear Pastors talk about how God will return One hundred fold; "WARNING"! Don't
let anyone pressure you to give more than what you have purposed in your heart.
God will bless who he will bless. But it's not necessarily about how much you
give financially. Especially if your giving for the purpose of getting back.
There may be those times, for those who can afford it, that you feel led to give
above and beyond your normal giving. Amen. But if your doing it for the purpose
of getting back "One hundred fold" in return, get ready for disappointment. Our
giving should strictly be because we love our God and want to bless Him. Not
because were expecting a return.