SOLID GIVING: YOUR GOAL vs. GOD'S GOAL

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

   He throws caution to the winds,
      giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
   His right-living, right-giving ways
      never run out, never wear out.This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. ( 2 Cor. 9:6-11)

Have you ever drove past a farmers field that has a few plants or stalks of something?  Or have you ever been over a friends house who boasts about their garden that has only one plant?  Or what about you.....when you plant grass seed, or tomato plants....etc. when you open that pack or by the flats do you buy just one or plant just one seed?  I'm certain you don't, so what about how you handle your life?

This entire week we've been talking about giving, and for the most part being mature and ever developing in our giving.  Today, I just want to land the plane and ask you what are you going to do with this blessing called life that God has given you today?   In this scripture God promises those that choose to give that He is going to take care of them.:

1) First when we plant/sow seeds He will provide us with more seeds.   (Just like one apple seed produces a tree with many apples, with many many more seeds)

2) Secondly you will reap a righteous harvest where we will get ultimately MORE of Him (of His character, His heart, His vision for living......we can definitely use seeing each day as a blessing and opportunity!!!)

3) Thirdly, He protects your finances.  Although we might see or hear of farmers crops struggling due to the weather, but I can't remember hearing a farmer or their families going hungry.   GOD ALWAYS TAKES CARE of HIS CHILDREN and THEIR NEEDS.

4) Lastly, it says you will be made rich so that you can be generous in every occassion.   Dave Ramsey's FINANCIAL PEACE asks the question that many of dream of:  "If you were debt free, what would you do?" The majority of the answers are "WHATEVER I WANT ....cause I CAN!"

This is only possible though if your GOAL in GIVING is to GLORIFY GOD, and CHANGE THE WORLD.  This message wasn't just about tithes & offerings, but rather about your life.   Think about it......where do you give the most at, and what has your return been? It pays to give to the right things.  If you are like me, you've given monies and time to things that were a waste before, and prayerfully you've figured out....that was dumb.   So......prayerfully you have realized that your seed sowing should be GLORIFY GOD.  That the seeds you sow, will produce PRODUCE in your children's lives, your spouse's life, your work life, your community's life..........etc simply for GOD's glory, and while you play the background, GOD supplies all of your needs.  I'm sorry, but it all goes back to LOVING GOD, and LOVING PEOPLE..when you're done.  Have a BLESSED AND SAFE HOLIDAY!