Once I was visiting a church in a major city when the minister got up to take the offering. And that’s just what he did. He took it.
He started by saying that God loves a cheerful giver. Then he went on to say that even though God loves a cheerful giver, that he liked any kind. He just wanted the people to give to his church.
Another time I attended a convention where a strange offering was taken. The convention speaker was from out of state and was relatively well known. When he took the offering, he told the people that God would only speak to them if they gave him seven dollars each.
He had all the people leave the meeting one row at a time. They filed past him and gave him seven dollars each. Because it was a convention, the crowd was quite large. It took several hours for all the people to get out of the building. What a joke!
Giving to God is a type of worship. Giving to God is a command of God. We are to worship him with our tithes and offerings; however, we must give with a cheerful heart.
Anytime you talk about giving, there are those who get turned off. Let me say this: I understand.
There have been many abuses by ministries, churches, and church related organizations. I understand why some people are skeptical, but we must not ignore the commands of God because of the abuses of some. Frauds and thieves will be with us until the return of Jesus.
The con artists were here on earth 2,000 years ago when Jesus was here and they are still here today. Things have not changed much, but let me say this. God’s Word has not changed at all. So with this in mind, let’s see what God’s Word says.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6 the Bible says, “But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Let me clear the air on something else here. God doesn’t need your money. The God who spoke the universes into existence doesn’t need your two dollars and fifteen cents. What he does want, though, is your obedience.
In 2 Corinthians 9:10 the Bible says, “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness….”
When we give to God, the Bible refers to that as sowing seed. When we sow, we reap, and the harvest is larger than the seed sown. The unique thing about this is that God is the one who gives us the seed to sow. The more we sow, the more we reap. The more we reap, the more we sow, and on and on.
I heard one man say it this way. We keep shoveling to God and He keeps shoveling back. The only difference is, His shovel is bigger than our shovel.
In Luke 6:38 Jesus said “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use it will be measured back to you.”
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.