Are you concerned about your finances? Are you worried about having enough? Do you hesitate when you think about giving?
The Bible calls us to use our wealth for the kingdom, but how are we to honor God with our finances, especially if we don’t have much? Will God meet us there—like He does when we pray and minister?
God instructs us to give because it’s for our good. He doesn’t need our money, per se, but He greatly desires our partnership (Matthew 6:21).
As we confront the fear of lack, and begin to give God lordship over ALL of our finances (not just the ten percent tithe), we experience the joys of financial power encounters! These are times God gives us special joy in giving and manifests provision in surprising ways.
It is here that the kingdom advances, the prayer movement is established, the lost are saved, and the oppressed set free. God has chosen to accomplish these things through the prayers and giving of the saints, and we can joyfully take part in this work—regardless of how little or how much we have!
Talking about the widow who gave two mites, Jesus said: “This poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had” (Luke 21:3–4).
The Lord rarely requires us to give away everything that we have, but He wants to be Lord over all that we do have, because all things are from Him, to Him, and for His glory (Luke 18:22; Romans 11:36).
Once we see that all that we have as His, and recognize our role as partners in building His kingdom, we can ask for wisdom on giving in ways that honor Him.
Some don’t see giving as a supernatual act, but it requires God’s power and grace just as much as other miracles.
Scripture tells us that it is God who gives us the power to get wealth and prophesies of the day when He will shake all nations to cause their wealth flow to the building of His temple (Deuteronomy 8:18; Haggai 2:7–8).
In these days of greed, concern, and instability, we have the chance to manifest God’s glory and goodness by giving extravagantly to His kingdom work. This is a prophetic act, telling others that Jesus really is coming soon, and that we are investing in the age to come by loving Him and through Him, people in this present age.
One practical measure of our love for Jesus is shown in our decisions about how we spend our money. Do we trust His leadership? Do we truly have a commitment to justice and the prayer movement? God gives us no limits on how much He wants us to give—that measure is up to us and our faith in Him. Giving allows us to develop a personal history with God that He treasures.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over . . . For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
When was the last time you refused to heed that nudge from God to give?
