THINK IT OVER--BEFORE IT’S ALL OVER!

Does a person really love Christ who does not give liberally to support the work He wants done? Would
you say a man loved his family if he refused to support them? Long ago I heard of a man who made good
money, but his wife was not allowed to see much of it. She had very little clothing and no spending money at
all. But her husband had thousands of dollars saved. Very few women would say that such a man loved his
wife.
Today how can we say we love Christ when we have been so wonderfully blessed by Him and yet do not
give as we should to His cause? Paul told the Corinthians that their gifts revealed their love. Thus in our
giving we say, “I love you this much.” When our Lord is aware of how much we use for our own pleasures
and sees the gifts we make to His church, He knows exactly how much we love Him. All the talk we can do
will not take the place of demonstration.
Think it over--before it’s all over! “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to
make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every
good work” (2 Cor. 9:6-8).
Are we telling the truth about our giving? Do you recall the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira? “But
a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his
wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said,
Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the
land? While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is
it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias
hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. And the
young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him” (Acts 5:1-6). Think it
over--before it’s all over!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Most failures are experts at making excuses.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse