- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Money matters
'"Test me in this," says the Lord' Malachi 3:10
We think nothing about forking out a fiver for a chippy dinner, ?50 for a concert ticket or ?100 for a new pair of trainers, but sit in church whilst the collection plate passes and we're scratching around looking for a little bit of loose change to chuck in. What is that about? Why do we find it difficult to give our money to God? We're happy to pay to go see the new box office hit at the cinema - but church?
God wants us to be generous, just like Him, and when we do, we open ourselves up to a whole new world of excitement - honestly! Listen: 'Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back' (Luke 6:38). Psalm 24:1 says 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it' (NLT). Therefore what you have belongs to God. None of it's yours really and God wants you to be generous with all He's given you.
So give the paper stuff next time you're in church, and no walking past the Big Issue seller - instead, pay over the odds. And fork out for a friend's take-out too, not just your own. Be generous and see what God does: '"Test me in this,"' says the Lord.'
written by Bob Gass
'"Test me in this," says the Lord' Malachi 3:10
We think nothing about forking out a fiver for a chippy dinner, ?50 for a concert ticket or ?100 for a new pair of trainers, but sit in church whilst the collection plate passes and we're scratching around looking for a little bit of loose change to chuck in. What is that about? Why do we find it difficult to give our money to God? We're happy to pay to go see the new box office hit at the cinema - but church?
God wants us to be generous, just like Him, and when we do, we open ourselves up to a whole new world of excitement - honestly! Listen: 'Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back' (Luke 6:38). Psalm 24:1 says 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it' (NLT). Therefore what you have belongs to God. None of it's yours really and God wants you to be generous with all He's given you.
So give the paper stuff next time you're in church, and no walking past the Big Issue seller - instead, pay over the odds. And fork out for a friend's take-out too, not just your own. Be generous and see what God does: '"Test me in this,"' says the Lord.'
written by Bob Gass
