ON GIVING 
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Memorize: He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. Proverbs 21:26

Read: Proverbs 21:25-26

Several years ago, someone came to my office and gave me an envelope containing N100 with a note. On the note he wrote: “I did not want to give you this money but God said I must”. I told the Lord, “I don't need this N100 now, why did you compel this man to give it to me?” When I got no answer, I kept it.

Later that evening, a man came from Kwara state, Nigeria and after we had discussed, he asked to spend the night in my house which I obliged him. The following day, he told me he had no transport fare, and then I remembered the N100 given to me and I gave it to him.

About a week later, another fellow sent me an envelope containing N100 but without a note. So I knew that this second gift was for me. God is looking for those who would be His treasurers and channels of blessings.

As He finds them, He will pour on them financial blessings so that they can bless others in need. Are you one of God's treasurers? God operates by principles. Luke 6:38 says the way to get is by giving. Many of us ask why the Muslims are so rich when they do not have Jesus Christ. Some of them practice the principle of giving and they receive more in the process.

They may be doing it the wrong way, yet, as long as they give, they will have more. If you go to the house of a rich man in northern Nigeria, you will see how many people would be gathered outside early in the morning. As soon as he comes out, they will greet him and he in return will give them money or food.

You may say they are doing it to show off or for ulterior motives; motives aside, some poor are getting blessed. God wants to help the poor and He will use anybody who makes himself or herself ready. According to today's Bible reading, the righteous man is identified by his giving. The one who always gives never lacks what to give. The one who is always sowing will never lack seed to sow.

Some people will say they will begin to give when they are rich. If you don't give when you are poor, you may find it difficult to give when you are rich. How often do you give to others?

KEY POINT: When what you were meant to give out remains with you, it becomes stale and stagnant