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Romans 12:1-8
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Normally when we think of wealth our 1st thought is of earthly wealth rather than spiritual or heavenly wealth. In Matthew 6:21 Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” That statement does not apply just to money. Jesus is revealing to us a universal truth. One writer says, “your heart and your treasure go together – they both need to be in heaven. Jesus is not saying that if you put your treasure in the right place, your heart will then be in the right place, but that the location of your treasure indicates where your heart already is.” Read Proverbs 3:9-10. Is that how it is with you and your philosophy of giving to the Lord? As Christians we are governed by 2 sets of laws. Both sets are decreed and directed by God. The 1st set of laws are physical laws; the law of gravity, the laws of physics, the laws of thermodynamics, and all the other laws that govern the physical universe. The other set of laws are all the spiritual laws of God. Those spiritual laws of God are always to be the primary or 1st laws governing all parts of our lives whether physical mental or spiritual. So let’s begin our study with God’s Law of giving. God has already given all that is required for us to be redeemed. He gave to us what we could never hope to have in and of ourselves. However, we must understand God has NOT given us all He is ever going to give us. We will continue to receive from Him throughout eternity. Here is a truth you must learn about redemption: It is only the beginning of God’s giving to us as His adopted children. Giving to God is then a response that finds its origin in our hearts because we realize how great a gift God has already given us just in our redemption. Go with me to Luke 6:38. Notice that the law of giving God’s way is – that to receive we must first give! The emphasis being on give before we receive! That concept is exactly opposite the world view, which says, “You give to me first, then if I can give to you without it costing me anything I’ll consider it.” Read 1 Kings 17:8-16. Note 3 truths that I believe caused the widow to act even though she did not fully understand. First, she heard “do not fear.” V. 13. We are not to be afraid to give when God tells us to give. God is never going to ask us to do something that will result in financial disaster. If God instructs you to give, then rest assured He already knows your entire financial situation so that you can give what He is asking you to give. When God tells you to give and you don’t give immediately – your fear of losing the little bit God is asking you to give is greater than your desire to receive the greater blessing God has prepared for you! Beloved, that truth applies to every part of your life – not just your pocketbook! The 2nd truth is God will always give back more. See v. 13 – read, now read 14. In return for “a little cake” God gave the widow enough flour and oil to see her through the drought. The 3rd truth is God gives back over an extended period of time. God did not give the widow vats of oil and grain bins full of wheat. V. 16 says the jar – singular and the jug – singular were never empty. God gave her what she needed, for as long as she needed it. I think one of God’s most amazing blessings that His adopted children experience is to give without any thought of receiving because they know God will always give to them out of His abundance. And they never have to be afraid to give anything to God because they know he will always give back more! To the true man or woman of God whose heart is in heaven it is just a fact of life that giving is in its self a gift!
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