Before you read this, bear this in mind: If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t share. I had to learn its importance myself, and I’m very glad I finally did. I can recall the day the penny dropped for me, the day I finally grasped the importance of reaping and sowing. Bad, or good, everything I do – every seed I plant – will reap a harvest of its own kind. God’s principal of seedtime-to-harvest was initiated in Genesis 8:20: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” As we say in Texas, “What goes ’round comes ’round.” The Bible puts it like this: “God is not mocked. As a man sows, so shall he reap.” Also, “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 tells us, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” I have found the reaping and sowing concept lends itself to nearly every aspect of life I can think of.
For instance, if you want friends, show yourself friendly. Then there’s the “Golden Rule” which says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Notice, you are responsible for getting the ball rolling first. This principal applies to relationships, finances…everything. Over the years, I have learned the importance of sowing my financial seed into the world as needs are presented to me, as I feel led. I’m proud to have married a woman who feels the same way and is quick to write a check when an opportunity to bless arises. I’m also extremely blessed to be part of a church that NEVER takes an offering. Instead, we have a jar by the door and, when the Spirit leads, folks will obey and stop and contribute to that jar. I’ve learned that God can do so much more with my money than I ever could. Back in my ‘hungry days,” I remember having 82 cents to my name when I realized that my own “widow’s mites” were much more valuable with God than with me.
Why? Because those coins were attached to my heart. “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be.” I’m always amazed at how little Christians sow into God’s Kingdom in comparison to how much they’ll sow into the kingdoms of this world. The amount they tip a waitress, the amount they spend on gifts, the amount they spend on junk “that moth and rust destroy.” Oddly enough, their garages, attics, basements, closets and storage units are loaded with items they chose to “bless” themselves with while ignoring God. Understand this: God doesn’t want our money; He wants our hearts. So many express concerns about whether they are obligated to give 10% of the net or the gross. Well, how much do you want to be blessed? Folks, I’ve learned that we simply cannot out-give God! Truth is, “tithing” (which means 1/10th) is an Old Covenant concept. Under the NEW Covenant, we are to give EVERYTHING to the Lord. Guess what? He gives it right back only with interest! I was once the Assistant Pastor of a college church. I couldn’t help but notice the pastor never, ever took up an offering. When I asked him about this, he chuckled and replied, “These kids don’t have any money…” Really? Many years ago, I read the average kid spent $80 every time they went to the mall! On those rare occasions when I meet one of those former college students, they’re all struggling financially.
We did those young people quite a disservice by not teaching them to sow seed. Some have used, as the argument AGAINST tithing finances, “Well, it doesn’t have to be your money… you can tithe your time and talents, too!” This comment begs two responses: (A) “ARE you tithing your time and talents?” and (B) “Yes, we should give of our time and talents AND our finances…everything belongs to the Lord.” Over the years, I’ve been criticized on a number of occasions by people who accused me of being just another preacher “getting rich off the people.” If they only knew! Others have made negative comments about me and my “staff.” Laughable! What’s worse, these comments came from professing Christians! Our Father loved the world so much that He GAVE… (John 3:16).
Let’s show our love to Him by giving. Nothing comes as close to a human sacrifice as giving financially. Our time, talents, blood , sweat and tears go into earning every red cent. Yet, when the things of this world entice us, we are often so quick to part with it. Little is much in the hands of God. Like Moses’ staff, it was just a stick until he released it to God.Likewise, your money is only paper until it’s in His hands, too. Give to the Lord, give to those in need, give as the Lord leads you for whatever He tells you. Give your time, your talents, give of yourself.
Luke 6: 37, 38 says, “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.” One final piece of advice: Use Dave Ramsey’s “Envelope System” and make sure there’s an envelope with “GOD” written on it.
It works!
Every blessing,
“PastorMike” Founder, The Church @ Work
214.476.8792