(An excerpt from Pastor’s Book, “How to Make Your Life Count for God”)
I am sorry to tell you that I spent too many years in the ministry without understanding what giving to God was all about. I knew tithing was right; my wife Joy and I both came from tithing families. We knew that we needed to tithe, but any offerings above the tithe were a big, big deal. At that time we did not have the full revelation of worshiping God with offerings above our tithe. There we were, preaching the Gospel and wondering how we were going to pay our utility bills. We were suffering from what I call financial friction. Let me tell you Joy and I understand friction very well. Friction means two back payments rubbing up against each other. Friction is a symptom of poverty. Poverty means not having enough. We have probably all been there. Your seed will meet your financial need and the harvest will affect your entire life. Paul said, “…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19 emphasis added). We discovered your seed will meet more than your financial need.
I am not saying that the blessings of God can be bought. However, I am amazed at the things that I have seen God do for people who give to Jesus. He meets their need on every level of life. Joy has said it more than once since our daughter has needed around the clock nursing care. A gift has been given to us much greater than money could ever buy; in the precious caregivers that have given of their time to come and help. We could have never orchestrated this on our own. But God has supplied the need. We are so grateful for the seed that is being sown by these precious caregivers.
There are people who prospered by giving tithes and offerings, but once their harvest started to come in they decided they stopped giving. They decided they did not need to give those tithes and offerings anymore. That is a very dangerous position. Whatever it took to get you blessed is what it is going to take to keep you blessed. Everyone knows the only way an airliner can stay at thirty-thousand feet is to keep the power on. If you turn the engines off you will be able to glide for a little but eventually you will crash into the ground. In the same way if you stop sowing seed you will cut off your harvest.
The harvest that your seed produces is more than money. You may have a need that cannot be met by money. You may need a physical healing, help in a marriage relationship, or your children may have needs. Your giving is not just for you as an individual; you are planting seeds for your children and grandchildren. Sure, you will get blessed in the process but that is not the end of it. I am planting seeds for all of my family. It is not just about Joy and me. I plant seeds on a regular basis for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. They will never have to look back and say, “Granddaddy was tight with God.” I want my family to know that Joy and I were givers to God. I want them to know that we did not stop giving once our financial situation was better. Giving and believing God for a harvest is a way of life for us.