Daily Devotional for Monday December 13, 1999

Quit Talking About Money

(Deuteronomy 16:17, 2 Corinthians 9:7)

Quit talking about money! In one of my first evangelistic meetings many years ago, I was at a small African-American church in Chicago. It had been a great evening, the Spirit was flowing and several people accepted Christ during the invitation. After the service, I was having a bite to eat with the pastor, a wise gentlemen who had been in the ministry for 40 years. I was still excited about all that had happened and commented what a great evening it had been. He looked at me and said it was wonderful, except that I had robbed the people. The statement surprised me and I defensively told him I had given everything I had to give, how did I rob the people? He told me that I had forgotten to take the offering. It than hit me that indeed I did forget and asked him why forgetting to take the offering was robbing the people. He walked me through many scriptures to show me that God blesses His people for obedience. Ever since the first tabernacle and priests, it had been God's plan for His people to support the work of God. Giving was NOT an option, but what God expected and was an act of obedience. It is the ultimate act of surrender when you accept that not only your life, but your treasure is His. As in other areas of our life, God blesses His children for their obedience in following Him.

One of the greatest criticisms of unbelievers and believers alike, is that there is too much emphasis on money. I am not going to sit here and defend or criticize what other ministries, churches, or organizations do. God showed me a long time ago, that I am only going to have to answer for my actions, not those of others. My view on giving is this. Your tithes go to your local church. Special gifts go to those places where you are being fed spiritually, or that God places upon your heart to support. I am a firm believer that you must be led by the Spirit in your giving, both to whom and the amount. Never forget, you are ultimately giving to God, not a person or organization. Many times, God asks you to give as a test of your love for Him. How deep is your love? Is it in word only, or also in deed? Does your love stop when He leads you to give money to His work? Think of this next time God is leading you to give. Everything you have, your life, your time, your talents, and your treasure...money...all belong to Him. Of course He expects you to use the common sense He gave you, but never forget you have been entrusted with resources, some more than others, to live and be a blessing to others. Lastly, the bible is so clear about giving according to ability. God doesn't expect you to give what you don't have. Again, use common sense. But He does call you to be faithful with what you DO have.