Catch up with the news!

By Funmi Komolafe

Welcome to the month of October and happy anniversary to all Nigerians. May the Lord bless our nation and guide our leaders to serve in the interest of the people.

In today’s edition, we are looking at another aspect of our Christian life, which we often downplay but which is very crucial to our prayers being answered.

That is giving,  do  you give? To whom to do you give and for what purpose?

The mother of  one our nation’s political leaders, a Christian once told someone  in her home that she doesn’t like going to church because, they often ask her for  money for projects.   Can we truly call her a Christian? Obviously, she is not a cheerful giver though according to her late husband,  who was not a Christian, she goes  to Jerusalem every year.

Away from her, the point being made is, what is the essence of giving in Christianity? These days, Pastors call it seed sowing.  First, let’s consider  sowing in  the life of a farmer.   He sows, waters and expects rainfall for more water.  After the rains he is full of expectation for a bountiful harvest.

In the same way, when we make donations to the church, Pastors or less privileged members of the church, we have planted a seed. After planting and rainfall which in this case means, God’s acceptance, blessings will definitely flow.  This is why the mood in which we sow is so important.

Let’s return to the word of God with regards to giving.  Mark 4 vs. 24  is our authority. “ And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given”.

Note- “ with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you”.

Let’s consider the more popular verse on this issue, Luke 6 vs. 38 “ Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with  the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be  measured to you again”.

From the above passages, it is clear that your  seed determines your harvest.   Though not in all cases.  You may be the highest contributor in your church but if you do so grudgingly, your reward if any,  may fall far  below your expectation.

2nd Corinthians 9 vs 7

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”.

Brethren, how do you give?  Cheerfully or grudgingly.

Do you  see  your contribution to  church projects as a financial burden?  If you do, you need to ask for forgiveness.  Ask yourself, how much do you pay for the oxygen that God gives to you freely everyday?  How much can you pay for His grace that has kept you alive?

I’ll share with you the story of a woman who was trusting God for the fruit of the womb.  I’m sure you understand that she has no child.   This woman came into the church one Sunday and had cause to see someone at the children’s section. She found that the walls of the children’s hall looked dirty and needed to be painted.

She called the Pastor in charge and told her that she would like to send a painter to beautify the auditorium.   She  picked up the bill and the place looked quite attractive.  Of course, the children were happy. Without any doubt, God himself was pleased with what she had done.

Note that the children were not in a position to give her anything for her  generosity .

Today as I write, this woman who was considered barren for about two decades,  is now a mother of three children including a set of twins.   She beautified the house of the Lord and  God  beautified her life with  children. Her reproach was taken away and her mockers bowed to her maker.

Brethren,  you have been praying since the beginning of the year.  Isn’t it time for you to think of something that you can give to God. It’s not all about money.  Where you do not have money, then you can give your service but by the grace of the Almighty God, you will have more money than you need  in life.

Proverbs 10 vs. 22 “ The blessing of the LORD , it maketh rich , and he  addeth no sorrow with it”.

When God blesses us, as Christians we are expected to use the money for his glory not just to live a life of affluence .   A part of the money we spend to organize elaborate weddings, burial parties, etc. should be used to fund the work of God.

We should also not wait until we become multi millionaires before we consider  supporting the work of God.   For us to preach the gospel as recommended by our Lord Jesus,  finance plays a crucial role.  Therefore, we must support the growth of the Word.

What is that  miracle you are expecting from God, which is yet to manifest after several days of prayer, it is time for you to change your strategy, sow  seeds and expect a harvest of miracles.

Brethren, let’s consider this word on giving from Living Faith Church a.k.a. Winners Chapel,  Ibadan branch,  It states about giving: “Your giving begins with the mystery of your greatest seed.  Your  seed is not your money or property.

( Prov. 23:26).  Your heart is your greatest seed, which opens up every area of your destiny.  Giving your heart is where your giving adventure begins.  Having given God your heart, giving your substance will be a non- issue. ( 1st Kings 8 : 17-18).  A heart for God  will empower  you  to do well at all times. ( Romans 8:28).  Nothing motivates giving like a heart for God and no one maintains a heart for God without making a mark on earth. Everyone needs a heart for God to make the most of this journey. Love is the most effective facilitator of giving “.

Winners Chapel identified the channels of giving as Tithing , which  is commanded by God in Malachi 3 vs. 10,  Worship offering: Deuteronomy 16 : 16-17, Kingdom promotion :  Haggai 1vs. 5-10 and giving to the poor : Psalm 41vs. 1-3.

Brethren,while giving  through any of these channels, the quality of offering is important.  Why must you give a tattered note as offering in the church, why must you give such to a beggar?

Remember the offering of Cain and Abel. What gave Abel the edge was the quality of his offering.  Gen. 4  vs. 4-5. We start from the latter part of verse 4 “And the LORD had respect  unto Abel  and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had no respect”.

Let it  be clear to us that God appreciates  quality offering.  The one who gives quality offering cheerfully, is bound to receive a harvest of blessings.

Knowledgeable men and women of God tell us that when we give, we are loading the cloud and provoking heaven to open  up.

This season, by the grace  of the Almighty God  as you choose your channel of blessing and give cheerfully, the Lord will rain a harvest of blessings into your households.

Parents, teach your children to give. It is not only those that are waiting on the Lord for children or other blessings that should give. We have a duty to teach our children to give.

By the grace of God, by the time this year gets to an end, shouts of Halleluyah will be your portion in the name of Jesus.

The Lord will give you total victory over that challenge in Jesus name.

Let’s share this prayer point. “ O Lord give me a miracle that will change my identity, a miracle that will advertise your name. “.

I pray that October will be your month of overflowing blessings in Jesus name.