Sound financial advice (3)

“The godly love to give!”     Pr 21:26 NLT

The level of financial blessing God will entrust to you depends on three questions: (1) Are you mature enough to handle it? (2) Are you hoping to reap but unwilling to sow? (3) Are you a hoarder or a giver? God knows we can’t all give the same amount. Jesus honored a widow for giving her last two cents, saying: “Others gave what they’ll never miss…she gave her all” (Mk 12:44 TM). On the other hand, businessman Barnabas “sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet” (Ac 4:37 NIV). The more God blesses you with, the more He holds you accountable for. Jesus said, “Much is required from those to whom much is given” (Lk 12:48 TLB). At offering time, a pastor told his congregation to reach out and grab the wallet or purse of the person sitting in front of them. “Now,” he said, “Open it up and give as much as you’ve always wanted to give but felt you couldn’t afford!” The truth is, we’re not all called to give equally but we’re all called to sacrifice equally. That levels the playing field. Isn’t it interesting how you can go to dinner at the home of somebody who doesn’t have a lot, and leave feeling like royalty because of their hospitality? That’s because the essence of generosity is self-sacrifice. God entrusts financial blessing to people who aren’t controlled by the love of money. How can you tell when you’re controlled by the love of money? Because instead of giving when God tells you to, you withhold. Understand this: When God impresses on you to sow a seed, there’s a harvest coming your way.

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