Proverbs 11:24  One person gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.

The verse in Proverbs states a person who freely gives will not only receive back what he has given, but he will also receive even more. 

This verse is not for frugal financial planners who see a way to earn more money to put away. The verse is not a financial contract. It is God’s reaction to those with a heart to give to God, organizations, and people in need. As you give from your heart, beyond the tithe, to give to the needs of others, you are getting God’s attention. He will bring blessings back into your life.

The blessings you receive may not always be financial. It can be through relationships, healing, and benefits in the families. God sees and is also a giver. He loves a cheerful heart of giving.

Cornelius

Acts 10:1- 4 “At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing.” ( Devotion to following God meant he already gave the church tithe 10% of his income.) “he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Cornelius also gave to those in need and the poor. He was a giver in his heart.

GOD’S RESPONSE

 3 One day, at about three in the afternoon, he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”  Notice the angel did not say his tithe giving came up as a memorial to the Lord; it was his prayers and gifts to the poor that got God’s attention. Continue reading in Acts 12 how God brought Cornelius and his family the gift of receiving the Holy Spirit. 

Building Barns

Luke 12: 16-21 “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

There is nothing wrong with enjoying your money. But when you choose to supply yourself with larger and larger things while others are suffering around you, God also notices. God says about this man, “Who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This man came to poverty in his heart even as he hordes all his wealth.

Become a giver. 

Give God the portion He requires and see the blessings. Malachi 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 there will not be room enough to store it. 

Give to people and organizations dedicated to helping those who need help. This Thursday, Grace House has its banquet. The other centers in Indiana will also begin to have their banquets and fundraisers. 

I challenge you to give as I am and expect God to notice and respond in your life.

To give now, click Indiana-atc.org

Let your Lightnside glow brighter by giving to the needs around you.