EPISODE 1033 – DON’T RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN

DON’T RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN

“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward”

Philippians 4:17 (TPT)

The generosity of the saints or giving of the saints towards God’s Kingdom mission is an opportunity God gives to the saints to demonstrate their love towards His Kingdom.

Giving into the spread of the Gospel or the work of the ministry imparts your heart and gives you the opportunity to participate in the impact of the gospel.

Whatever the Lord inspires you to do for the advancement of His Kingdom, builds and enrich your heart.

There is a reward or profit which abounds for you because of your generosity.

This is part of the reasons your giving is an opportunity or privilege.

Today, I want re-echo one very crucial benefit of giving (or the generosity of the saints).

Your Generosity Leads to the Increase of Resources.

Read Philippians 4:17 from the GOOD WORD Translation:

“It’s not that I’m looking for a gift. The opposite is true. I’m looking for your resources to increase.”

 Though your generosity blesses lives, it is also to your advantage. The fruit of your generosity brings reward to you.

Whenever you are asked to give or whenever there is a conversation about your generosity, don’t just think it’s because your gift is needed.  

See the opportunity to receive a bountiful supply.

This was the situation with the Church in Philippi. They saw their giving to the ministry of Paul as an opportunity.

Paul didn’t just appreciate their giving; his heart was filled with joy and was greatly satisfied by their giving.

“My heart overflows with joy when I think of how you showed your love to me by your financial support of my ministry. For even though you have so little, you still continue to help me at every opportunity. I’m not telling you this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be satisfied in any circumstance”Philippians 4:10-11 (TPT)

These saints didn’t give just because they had an abundance of resources. But even with the little they had, they were determined to give bountifully.

Paul again wrote on this to the Church in Corinth concerning the Churches in Macedonia (which includes Phillipi, Thessalonica, Berea and etc). Philippi is a prominent city in Macedonia. This means, when Paul wrote about the generosity of the saints in Macedonia, he was also talking about the Philippians.

“Beloved ones, we must tell you about the grace God poured out upon the churches of Macedonia. For even during a season of severe difficulty and tremendous suffering, they became even more filled with joy. From the depths of their extreme poverty, super-abundant joy overflowed into an act of extravagant generosity. For I can verify that they spontaneously gave, not only according to their means but far beyond what they could afford.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (Amplified Bible).

These Macedonians love the Lord so much that they were not hindered by the outward limitations but took advantage of the grace of God to give by conviction.

No wonder Paul the apostle desired for their resources to increase. It is not just Paul who had this desire; it is a Kingdom principle:

“He that is faithful in little, is faithful in much” (Luke 16:10)

You are entrusted with more when you demonstrate faithful stewardship in the little things.

When you receive more, you increase your giving capacity. And the more you give, the more you enjoy the increase of generosity.

“Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed].” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (Amplified Bible)