Mat 22:37-39 (KJV) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself
Tessy has a dilemma. She is a young believer who came to Christ not so long ago. She is a regular income earner and prior to her new life in Christ, she spent her money however she chooses. However, now that she is a believer, based on the teachings she has heard and the conviction of the Holy Ghost in her heart, she has come to know that there is a way God wants her to spend her money. So, one day after the service, she approached her youth pastor asking how God would have her give. So, he answered her:
Firstly, you must understand that all our good works are to be done as unto the Lord. Meaning that, whatever we do, we must do it seeing it as a service to God. And again, when it comes to knowing God’s mind concerning any matter, the word of God is our surest guide.
Parents: It is God’s precept that children should honor their parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1,2). The Bible also teaches us that giving is part of the display of honor (Matthew 15:4-6; Prov 3:9), therefore, in honoring our parents, we must learn to give to them as well.
To the Work of the Ministry: Right from the building of the tabernacle (in Moses’ time) right down to the building of the temple in Solomon’s time, the people of God were required to give to it (Exodus 25:1-9; 1 Chron 29:1-9). Some of Jesus’ followers also gave to his ministry (Mark 15:41). It is a mark of irresponsibility not to support the gospel in your local assembly, if your heart is there, your treasure should also.
To Ministers of The Gospel: God has ordained it that ministers of the gospel are entitled to be taken care of by those they minister to. Just like Levites were apportioned a part of the temple sacrifice for their sustenance, likewise even the new testament ministry gifts (1 Cor 9:6-11; 21 Tim 5:17-18; Luke 10:3-7). This might rattle a few cages, but it regardless remains the truth.
To the Poor: The Lord is particularly interested in the welfare of the poor, hence he has ordained that we give to the needy as much as lies within our abilities (Prov 28:27; 19:17) Mark 14:7 and John 13:26-30 suggests that Jesus had such a practice of giving to the poor.
Fellow Believers and Others: It is God’s will that we do good to and give to fellow believers as often as we have the opportunity to do so (Matt 25:34-40), He also wants us to do good to all men as much as it lies within our power (Gal 6:10)
Go into today with the assurance that God gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower and he will multiply all grace towards you, so that you having all sufficiency in all things, will always abound unto every good work.
Say these words: God is my source, I am a giver, grace is multiplied towards me and I abound unto every good work.
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—Ikechukwu Mpama
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Yearly Bible Plan: Joshua 11-15 (In the Devotional Audio)
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