Done Right!

Done Right! 

There are those who generously scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.

Proverbs 11:24 AMPC

It is only from God's perspective that the words of today's extract makes sense. God has laid down the perfect example of what giving looks like: you read a verse that says: his divine power has given us all that we need for life and Godliness. It means that all that I need to succeed both in the physical and the spiritual planes have been made available and in very abundant measures too. If God could give up this valuable a gift, is there anything else that will be too difficult for Him to give up? If He then commands me to do as He has done, it means that He has supplied the grace and strength for me to obey.

This is where the power of choice comes in. God does not force Himself on anyone, or compel me to do as He commands. My obedience will flow out of a heart of knowledge: that I know who God is, and I am glad to obey. And there are always two choices to make, never three. Indecision itself is a decision. If I refuse to obey, that is a decision; if I sit on the fence, if there is one, not committing to anything, that, in itself, is also a decision. 

So, the call comes for me to flow out to other people what I have also received by grace. I get to make a decision: give or withhold. With God again, some natural laws are suspended because of my obedience to God. How does my giving up things lead to more increase for me, if God is not involved? How does my scattering abroad lead to more increase if not that God honours and rewards obedience? If I seek this kind of increase, I must be eager and willing for the kind of obedience that commands increase. I cannot withold unnecessarily, yet expect God to reward stinginess. 

I note: it is the heart behind the giving that seems to be in focus here. One man scatters generously, not out of a heart of show off, or one that seeks popularity, but one that knows the value of generosity. It is a heart that knows what it has received and is not afraid to extend that same grace to others. There is the other person too who withholds more than is fitting or just. It is not a crime to save for the rainy day, but it is also important to be available for God to direct your heart as He pleases. After all, I am a steward of whatever it is that I hold in my hand. I really do not own anything: all the 'my' house, bank account and property portfolio only applies as long as I am still breathing. When the One who actually owns my breath makes a demand for it, there is no monetary policy that can change or stop it.

So, while I breathe, I strive to leave my heart free of the deceitfulness of riches. I ask God to clean my heart from all the false sense of security possessions give men. I ask God to help me know the place and limits of all that I hold, so that whenever He asks me to give it out, I can do it without any iota of regret. After all, with God, I have to give up that which is in my hands now, if I will receive anything further from God. If I am preoccupied with what I hold now, I cannot recieve anything else of value. So, is there anything now that I am sure God wants me to give up? Obedience is the key to the fullness of all that God is, and is able to give me. His time of favour is here.