Last week something happened to Hope Chapel that many pastors and Church leaders sincerely pray would happen with their churches. This blessing happens to Hope Chapel every year, usually throughout the last two weeks of December, Hope Chapel receives year end tithes and or offerings from Hope Chapel “extended” family members. These are people who in the past faithfully attended Hope Chapel, but no longer do however their heart to give financially Hope Chapel continues. One offering in particular this year was much more than we could have ever imagined and it affected me in a way in which I needed a few days to reflect to what God was speaking to my heart concerning it.
Before I go any further, I need to make a few points clear. First, there might some who might want to know the amount of the check and or who sent it. This information is not relevant to the spiritual points that God has put on my heart that I want to share with you. In addition, I am NOT implying for anyone to stop continuing being faithful and obedient to God by discontinuing giving or sending your tithes and offerings to Hope Chapel. They are still very much appreciated and needed.
When we received the check and saw the amount, I was dumbfounded and humbled. I experienced a “flashflood” of thoughts and emotions. When I finally returned to reality, the Holy Spirit immediately began to speak to me about how I was feeling. One of the many questions He asked me was, “do I feel this way when someone surrenders their life to Jesus and receives Him as their Savior and Lord of their life”? If not, why? Ouch! I really thought I had that area of my life and priority totally surrendered to the Lord but apparently not.
There is nothing wrong about being joyful for the many monetary and material blessings God blesses Hope Chapel with such as last year God providing entirely free of charge a new roof for the Hope Chapel garage. Also, for the last few years, our annual church Christmas luncheons have been anonymously paid for. However, these and numerous other blessings from God very much helps Hope Chapel financially, but these are temporary and not eternal. What is eternal is the God’s salvation in a person’s life and work that God does or is doing in a person’s life.
I remembered another spiritual fact that the Holy Spirit taught me in June of 2012 that I needed to apply concerning this offering. I never want to give a person special recognition or give them special importance because of what they have given or will give to the Hope Chapel materially or monetarily. When this happens, I will only value that person for what Hope Chapel can get from them and not for whom that person is in Christ Jesus. Also when I do this my priorities will also be wrong, I will also place greater value and anticipate the monetary or material gift over experiencing who Christ is in that person’s life. This is exactly what the apostle Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Philippian congregation when they sent him a much-needed offering with Epaphroditus.
Philippians 4:14-18, 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
When Paul said in verse 17, “…but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.” One Biblical commentary says it is, “The investment value” of the Philippians’ gift is not primarily what Paul received but the “spiritual dividends” they received.
When we look at this meaning and application of “credited to your account”, it is referring to something we are all familiar with which is similar to a bank account where we make deposits that are also available to us to withdraw from when we need it. Another characteristic of a bank account that is also a spiritual principle, is that depending on how much we deposit, only that amount will be available to withdraw later on when needed.
This spiritual principle is clearly explained in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. Verse six says, “Remember this: Whoever sows (deposits) sparingly will also reap (withdraw) sparingly, and whoever sows (deposits) generously will also reap (withdraw) generously.” Paul goes on to explain in verse ten why we are able to “reap (withdraw) generously” from our account which he calls “your store of seed”; it is because of all the wonderful things that God does for us and also God does to our “store of seed” or account. “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Finally, verse eleven explains a three-part result of how God will bless us: a) “You will be made rich in every way b) so that you can be generous on every occasion, c) and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
A Christian who is generous, is not generous because they have a lot to give away. A Christian is generous because of Who they have in their life (Christ Jesus). A Christian is generous because they not only have surrendered their life to Him but also their finances. A Christian who is generous will give from the little they have not just from their abundance of material or financial wealth.
I love what Jesus promises us in Luke 6:38. There will always be an abundant return when we give. However the promise is conditional, to get back from God we first must give. Also, our receiving from God is based our actions that reflect our heart. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Pastor John
