Today is the 6th Day of New Life Covenant’s 21-Day Fast. We are fasting and praying for many things…one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives. To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements. Thought we’d share them with you. Be blessed!
GIVE TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL
(Read 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 in their ENTIRETY if you can)
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, NLT)
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. (2 Corinthians 9:10-13, NLT)
Giving is ministry. It is aid or service rendered from one person to another for the Glory of God. People who understand this are SUCH a tremendous blessing to the Body of Christ, the unsaved, and those who are called to preach and teach the Gospel! Givers grasp that to do the work of sharing the Word, shepherding and caring for a flock, going overseas for foreign missions, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, and seeing captives set free is intensive labor. They realize that many have laid down the possibility of much more lucrative opportunities and pursuits for the sake of the Call, and that God has blessed them specifically to be a blessing. Ministries constantly require funding to be able to present the Gospel in various ways to an ever-expanding audience if we’re going to take the Good News to the ends of the earth. Our giving is an important part of fulfilling the Great Commission.
Individuals who are really generous care as much about the spread of the Gospel and people’s discipleship as any leader. They know that for quality ministry to take place entails radical generosity, just like any other pursuit in the natural that builds, develops and heals. We don’t struggle with funding schools and universities, or getting capital for businesses. We know that doctor and hospital bills must be paid, because we see the benefit in all of these things. I pray that one day, we will see the value of souls being saved and lives being transformed by Christ, and that it will manifest in more consistent giving to the Gospel. Even the poorer churches in Macedonia were so committed to the spread of Christ’s Word to the world, that they gave both of themselves and of their very limited resources to see it happen.
Those who sow bountifully into the Kingdom will reap bountifully. (2 Cor 9:6) They are fixated on loving Jesus and others as conduits of God’s blessings. Paul said they will themselves be cared for in their time of need, will reap eternal rewards, and their giving will bring expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God. If New Life Covenant has been a blessing to you in any way…give glory and thanks to the LORD for a few generous souls. Without them, we would NOT be here.
Sadell
