The heart's desire of God's people is not to gain wealth for their own lusts, but rather to minister to the needs of people in every area of life.It is important to have the money necessary to help those in need, to have the funds to underwrite a mission project, or to be able, for example, to help support a home for unwed mothers.
There are many desperate needs that require godly people with the wealth and faith to minister to them. I believe God will help you to rise up and increase in order to do your part as a giver to the ministry.
There are many critics of this sort of teaching. There have been abuses and even those who have used manipulation to persuade people to fund their own ideas rather than those of the Spirit of God. That is why true Bible teaching is so vital. When God's people grow up and truly respond to Him in their giving, the ungodly and disobedient will no longer get their hands on the money of the saints of God.
God has promised that He will cause us to increase. In the context of this portion of scripture, Paul said, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9 NAS).
The richness Paul is dealing with is not only spiritual. The context of this entire chapter is the money that these people would give as well as the result of God bringing His increase into every area of their lives.
God said that He wanted them to become rich, and that would include finances. That means more than enough to do anything they needed to do.
Now look at the apostle's recommendation: "Here now is my advice. About a year ago you were eager to make an offering, but you never finished making it. It is now time for you to complete it. You must match your inner willingness with your outward behavior by completing it according to what you have" (2 Cor. 8:10-11 HOP).
Match your inner willingness with your outward actions. It is time to reach out in your giving in order to do two things. First, to minister to the needs of people who need the gospel. Second, to begin to increase as you never have before.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus taught a parable that clearly links a person's money with the effectiveness he will have in other things: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you?" (Luke 16:10-11 NAS).
The true riches are the souls of people. How can you be trusted with people if you are unwilling to deal with money in a godly way? Trustworthiness, according to Jesus, is demonstrated by your willingness to subject your money to God's laws.
When you give as He has taught, then you will increase not only in your wealth financially, but also in your influence toward people.
Excerpt permission granted by Dennis Burke Ministries
Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: the Way to a New Life magazine, books, eBooks, CDs, and mp3 resources, Dennis has brought revelation knowledge on the truths of God's Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and overcome the challenges life brings through faith in God's Word.
