CHAPTER 29: THE ART OF GIVING 2023

How do you give? What do you give? What has God given to you? What have you given to God? Is it yourself, your money, time, experience, for all that you have been given, how do you give back? And now the better question, “did you give, have you tried?” If so, good news, ask Him how you’re doing, if not, let’s begin on what to do by noting what not to do.

Luke 18:11-14 New International Version (NIV)
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

I can safely say the Tax Collector is still giving today, simply by the telling of his story through a thousand years of time. It is clear time is an asset that can be given, as is intention, heart and sincerity. Money is an asset, sure? How do we give money? Do we boast? Do we hide because we’re embarrassed by what we don’t give. Are we stingy or a braggart? Do we pray and ask for direction? Do we pray until God sees it our way, or do we pray and seriously listen for the Discernment of the Holy Spirit on this matter and all others as well?

Our business is turned around, lives turned around, families now safe, where’s our attitude? Are we in a better place, a Godly place and big question, do we act like it? I’ve seen it both ways.

Many times people forget that God was standing there in a very terrible time, holding lives together, digging out me, you, families, bringing qualified people to a situation, emergency miracle people, and they were there one day at a time for months, helping navigate the most devastating catastrophic moments of your life, my life.

How do I give back? How do you give to God for what has been done. First of all, it’s impossible. The least I can do however, is try to follow scripture, the Word, the example Jesus.

Use the blessings given to you, business, income, safety, peace of mind, everything, people, places and things, use it for the Glory of God. Or do you use a little for God and a little for me? Maybe even take a little bit of the credit for the impossible change that came into your life? Now you are who? Possibly a bit of the Pharisee in scripture and the tax collector? A little sparkle may come off your “holy” front tooth as you graciously smile towards heaven. Of course this is an exaggeration, but you get the point. The question is, “where is your heart?”

Having made it, do you let go of the people that got you there? Do you let go of the principles that got you there? Do you get back to #1, and begin entertaining what you want, rather than what you need? Do you know more than some, or more than most? When I get like that, I’m on thin ice, it’s a slippery slope. Hey, it happens, sometimes just in your head and sometimes it happens for real. The memory of catastrophic failure, free-fall and the origin of failure is just a distant memory? How can God use me if I forget what He did for me. Who He put in my life to help guide me?

How can I pay it forward if I go back to my past? How can I graciously, wonderfully and lovingly tell my story if I’ve forgotten it.

2 Corinthians 12:9 New International Version
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Remember my weaknesses and finding the power God poured out upon me to secure me and protect all that is dear to me. There’s an old joke about a guy lost at sea, his boat having sunk, he promises God many things, a long list of items he will do if the Lord will save his life. As he begins to swim he sees land and the closer he gets to the land, the less he promises on the list until finally, as he actually arrives at the beach, the list has a lot of “best efforts” promises and “maybe if I have time” phraseology. You see, when I needed God, He was there. My promises, my intentions, my realization must not fade, or I fade with it. I can’t out give God, but I can have brilliant, obedient and loving ways to work for God, and be a cheerful giver. How? Ask Jesus to “put me in coach, show my heart what to do!”

Matthew 28:18-20
New International Version The Great Commission
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

There are wonderful quiet individuals that do the financing of God’s church behind the curtain, under the radar, busy about the Lord’s work. The great “commission” as Jesus has given to tell the gospel and take care of the church where people come to learn God’s Word. You may find them setting up chairs on Sunday morning, Wednesday mid-week they may be on a greeting committee, or walking the halls of church as a security team member. For those strong enough to bash it out on the Worship Team, leading people to worship the Lord in song — a very challenging position, you can’t really understand unless you have experienced “worship leader”, the attacks are relentless, as is the Prayer Team both ministries in constant intercession for the challenges facing Believers in the world today. Satan hates those ministries, and causes division, dissension, broken hearts, disappointment and so on. Satan is fierce in these areas of the church. Giving is a lot of work. Gifting of yourself, your talents, money, all of it done with elegance and humility, in your life across the board is a commitment every day, all day from now on. A life, I might add, that I wouldn’t have without God’s hand. Without God where would I be?

Where is my heart when I realize what Jesus has really accomplished here? Where is my heart when those around me criticize and rebuke my Jesus? Am I sad for them, do I pray for them, or do I hide what I believe? Am I obedient? Do I understand that only by reading the book every day can I learn to have eyes that see, ears to hear? Do I remember and give thanks everyday?

Psalm 138
You have exalted Your name
and Your promise above everything else.
3 On the day I called, You answered me;
You increased strength within me.[b]

Is it always about money? No is is not always about money. However, if I make it about money, then money becomes my false god. Get it? If it is always about the measurement of money, then it is about money and God becomes a line item on the balance sheet. Quit doing that.

Proverbs 3:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the first fruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

What about the helpers God gave you? How have you respected them, re-invested in those relationships, employees, family, professionals that stayed the course with you. One might say, “Yes, I have, but not as much as I should,” Or “that was a service that was paid for and they got paid, I believe in God, I’m a good person, now it’s time for me to take care of myself, I’ve heard enough of fire and brimstone, be grateful, do this, do that, I think it’s time to cut the cord and get back to business, God helps those who help themselves.” When you say that, it’s already too late.

Malachi 3:9-11 New Living Translation
9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.[a] Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Who is an example in the book? Who exemplifies an honorable walk, without any worldly assets. Is there an actual person we can use as an example in the bible of an exemplary, top notch giving? Yes. Consider this recommendation.

Mark 12:41-44
New International Version The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

What if I just don’t feel like it. I’ve been through enough, I don’t want to do it. I understand that thinking, truly I do, I’ve been there many times and I’m sure I’ll be there again. Sometimes we get so sick of it all. Might be easier — just quit trying, even though I’ve been given so much, there’s not enough left of me anymore. I burned, bruised, hurt, broken and I simply want to cut and run. I get it.

That’s different than arrogance, it’s the opposite. Those times, seasons if you will, where I just don’t feel I can make the runway so to speak, I know I’m going to crash. I’m going to fail and I know it.

Please, hear me, kids, when those moments come and they will, know this. God has not forgotten you. He is with you, and the struggle will teach you and make you better. Get some rest, get some food and fly the airplane, so to speak. You’re going to make the runway, He is with you.

Psalm 46:10 New International Version
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I change my mind, ask Him in prayer to find me another way to help, show me again how to be obedient, re-direct my thinking.

Proverbs 11:24-25
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.  The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.

There are those who quit and it is unfortunate. I met a man whose life was in shambles. As I talked with both he and his wife we forged a relationship that brought his company back in order, found a job for his unemployable child that would last her for years, walked along side of him as his faith was restored in God. The whole family went back to church. In a very short time what was so much gratitude and love for the relationship turned back for the worst.

Why? Money began to happen. Lives were restored and then the sickening hand of bad attitude and judgement was restored as well. The very same attitude that cost them dearly in the first place. Sad.

Every Pastor has learned to help those in need. Often those people who are so grateful for the help at the beginning, as things get better, they turn their back on the very concepts that put their lives back in order. It is for us to pray, turn it over to God and I have learned it is honorable for my heart to break as I see them turn the ship back into the Black Forest.
Can you imagine how many people take from God, through a Pastor’s loving direction, they are restored and begin to live again, only to turn on the church and walk away. Marriages are in the balance, businesses, and sometimes with children, lives are at stake. People forget…

Proverbs 26:11
New American Standard Bible
Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who repeats [a]his foolishness.

If you really want to test yourself in the Art of the Blessing, watch how you act when people do things you don’t like. Or when you’re grown kids want you to co-sign things that are not correct and you just want them to love you, so you consider going along with it.

How do you continue to do the Lord’s work when someone angers you or they embarrass you with the truth? How elegant are you when you decline to engage in bad behavior and on top of everything else you are tasked with re-directing disobedience in yourself and others. How brilliant can you be in such negative instances. It happens in life, in the church, in your family and in your business. I ask you again, is it about money? It would seem, it is about everything. As I’ve said before, everything is everything, life is not about options, it’s about obedience, options get me into trouble. For all that He is given to me, how do I use it for Kingdom work, that is the question, and an honorable daily prayer.

Oh yes, my friends with God there comes great responsibility and that responsibility there comes great personal testing.

James 1:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

You’ve been given so much kids, look for, pray for, be excited for — any opportunity to serve the Lord, no matter how small or how great. Chapter 29 The Art of Giving. A quote from the author:

Paint a picture with the hand of God.
Title it “colors in my life, ridin’ with the King”
It’s not for everybody? Maybe not, but make sure it is for you…Amen.