I was born in a Christian home and I grew up bonding with fellow members of the church. My Hindu-converted Christian parents always taught me that tithing or giving is to be considered as a joy and blessing. However, the widespread cynicism towards giving in our Christian community saddens me.
Today, believers have not only stopped giving, but many have turned away from Christianity only because of religious leaders and pastors’ greedy attitudes towards money. It’s not uncommon to hear that some churches have mismanaged funds, how pastors are “promoting’ the prosperity theology or how a few unscrupulous television evangelists are giving tithing a bad name. The way these religious organizations have tried to bilk innocent people has changed the way believers think about money. However, is it fair that Christians refuse to make offerings to God only because of the mad and greedy attitudes of some people?
I’m not telling you this because I’m in some “spiritual enrichment” business. I have attended a large number of churches for varying periods of time and I have been a member in most of them. The fact that I have been a part of those churches led me to see how many religious leaders can trick people into blindly donating their money to the church while they would use that same money to lead luxurious lifestyles.
Personally, I had a lot of bad experiences in churches because of this. Sometimes, I couldn’t go to church because they only wanted to empty my pockets. And, if you don’t give your money, they have the ability to make you feel guilty. It was a miracle to walk into a church that doesn’t ask for money.
Let me tell you that not every religious leader is a true Christian. Many fall short of the glory of God because they have misled and tricked God’s people into giving their money. But, let me tell you that these shepherds, leaders and teachers will be judged more strictly by God (as per James 3: 1).
Now, I want you to forget all that’s happening in today’s churches and what the world is saying and focus on God’s principles and Jesus’ parables that shed light on a Christian’s financial life.
Sowing and Reaping/ Giving and Receiving
The Bible has much to say about these principles, but many believers fail to understand their importance.
It’s very simple. Let me give you an example: If you want to eat an apple, you’ll have to buy and pay for it. Or, if you want an apple tree in your garden, you’ll have to plant it; it won’t grow on its own.
The same goes for your financial life. If you want to be able to pay all your bills, provide for your family, make ends meet and grow and be blessed financially, you’ll have to sow in the kingdom of God. A Christian’s life is like that.
We read in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you.”
In Galatians 6: 7, we read: “…for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
These Biblical scriptures aren’t meant to pressure you into giving your money, but rather encourage you to sow in the kingdom of God with love and joy so that your financial blessings come naturally.
This is the testimony I’ve heard recently of a man called Jerry:
“I was completely broke and the financial crisis led me one day to sit with a loaded .45 gun in one hand and a Bible in the other. The, I happened to see Gary Keesee’s teaching about the mysteries of the Kingdom of God on television. I thought maybe all was not lost yet. So, I took the last $ 30 I had, prayed over it and sowed it into the kingdom of God. I believed and prayed that through this I would receive the $ 2000 I needed to pay utility bills that were long overdue.
A week and a half later, a man I knew came by my house and told me how a week ago, during his praying time, he felt the powerful urge to give his friend a check for $ 2000.
I was stunned. But, I was more shocked when I took out the piece of paper on which I had written the day and time of my spiritual seed and it matched with the date and time the man said he received the revelation of giving me the money. That spiritual act changed my whole life forever.”
That’s one of God’s principles.
If you are in desperate financial need like Jerry, take out the little you have and sow it in God’s kingdom. You can then later on share your testimony in the comment section below!