I preached on Wednesday from Romans 8:1–11 on the things done in the flesh versus things done in the Spirit. If you give in order to get, that’s giving done in the flesh. But if you give cheerfully and willingly, that is giving done in the Spirit.
For our “Be Debt Free” Sunday coming up in a couple of weeks, the only kind of giving that pleases God is that which is from the heart. I’d go so far as to say that if you can’t give it biblically… don’t! This isn’t about the money. God’s got plenty.
Instead, it’s about getting in on God’s blessings! The Andrades said that so well in the video last week. Tithes and offerings are not really a sacrifice at all… it is a blessing to give! Spirit-filled giving is not giving to get from God. He’s not a vending machine.
But you know what? He sure does bless. We have been talking about this “Be Debt Free” offering since the end of last year, and God has blessed me in one particular area right down to the month when we committed to give. We’ve had a little side income going steady for over 10 years, but when we committed in December to lay funds aside to give, that month doubled. And January too. February and March tripled.
Skeptics call it coincidence. I call it God.
Lets get in on what God wants to do. God is at work. Souls are being saved. People are being baptized and discipled and trained in the Word of God. We are not perfect, but we are active about obeying the Great Commission, and we are trying to help people.
This is the work of God.
Thank you, church, for serving Him from your heart.
-Pastor Ryan