I am so proud of our church for stepping up and helping many families in the central Texas area with their medical debt. I truly believe that we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others. But here is something remarkable: you cannot outgive God! We do not give in order to get, nor do we give generously thinking that God is in some way obligated to us. No, we give out of a cheerful heart, knowing that this pleases the heart of God. Does God bless us? Yes He does! Big time! In my 11 years as the pastor of GHBC, we have never been this far ahead in our giving at this point in the year. Is there a connection between us stepping out in faith and blessing these dear people who were struggling? I believe there is, both according to our text today in Proverbs and based on what Jesus said in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
No, I am not a proponent of the prosperity gospel, nor am I a health and wealth preacher. But I do take God at His Word, and when He promises something, then we should act in faith and obey Him.
How generous are you toward others? ...toward your church? What about toward those who could never repay you? Here are a few verses from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. I pray that God speaks to you and that you obey what He tells you.
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."
Blessed to be a blessing.
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