Acts of charity
One of the mysteries of the kingdom of God is giving
to receive in leaps and bounds as stated in Luke Chapter 6 verse 38. How does
giving increase a person? It is the principle of sowing and harvesting. A seed sown is never harvested as a single
seed. It is harvested in multiples. A grain of corn produces a stalk of corn
and many cobs of corn that have several seeds for eating, selling, giving to
the poor and replanting for a fresh harvest. A mango seed that is planted produces
a mango tree that fruits several mango fruits with every fruiting season. It
only stops fruiting when the tree is cut down. While some seeds are harvested
as seasonal or annual crops only when they are planted, for example the grain
of corn; there are seeds like the mango seed that does not have to be replanted
for a fresh harvest. Each year, the mango tree produces a fresh harvest without
any seed being replanted. However for the purpose of expanding beyond a tree to
an orchard, a mango fruit farm for processing mango fruit juice, more mango
seeds can be replanted; preferably on a large expanse of land so that fruits
that fall and are not picked up will germinate to more mango trees, fresh
harvests and a growing orchard or farm.
v
Use
the gift of liberality for profit.
v Give cheerfully.
v
Give
to meet needs so that people will be happy, grateful to God, pray for you and
your account in heaven is credited.
v
Give
out of love for God.
v Thank God for every opportunity
to give.
v Thank God for the ability to give.
v Thank God for accepting your
gifts. It is not every person who gives that God accepts their gifts.
Events
are one off activities. Daily living entails living out the realities of life
on a day by day basis. Events are good and important but what really counts is
living out the realities of life on a day by day basis according to the word of
God, His plans and purposes for your life. Thanks-living instead of
thanksgiving is the norm and ideal for every Christian. Every day of life is
actually a time and opportunity to thank God for who He is, His faithful
provision, protection, care, forgiveness, direction, love, favor, gifts and
many other blessings too numerous to count. The Psalmist captures this neatly
when He says in Psalm 107 that “Oh give thanks unto the Lord for His mercy
endures forever”.
All
giving should reflect the love of God as well love for the people of God. God
knows how to touch the hearts of His people to give to Him and for his projects
on earth.
Finally,
always give to reflect where you are going. Give to activate abundant wealth.
Do not give to reflect poverty and lack. Giving in spite of prevailing
circumstances is a demonstration of your faith in God as your Provider,
Promoter, Multiplier and Compounder of resources.
1. Service
Jacob
the patriarch who later became Israel earned bread, seeds, wives and children
through service sown as seed. He served his uncle Laban for more than twenty
years and received in exchange everything a young man could ask for in life.
Jacob served to get what he needed – human resources, financial resources and
livestock. He did not make Esau’s mistake. In serving Laban, he took over
ownership of Laban’s two daughters, the many children born to him by the two
sisters, their maid servants and the many children also born to him by the
maidservants; and lastly, a very good portion of Laban’s wealth. Esau would
have been very contented with all of these. But not Jacob who had purpose to
fulfill! He moved on, away from Laban to fulfill God’s plans and purposes for
his life in the land of promise. Service can be exchanged for seed and bread.
Ruth
gleaned for bread. Her good character coupled with her positive attitude earned
her more than bread. She became the wife of Boaz, the owner of the field she
gleaned from as well as co-owner of the field.
It
is significant to mention here that gleaning is not servitude. It is not a
platform to be insulted and treated like scum. Gleaning is not a reason for the
owner of the field to be arrogant and nasty. Boaz treated Ruth with respect.
Not once was she humiliated. Naomi also treated Ruth with respect and even when
she had settled Ruth comfortably in Boaz’ house, she did not humiliate Ruth.
This goes without saying that owners of fields should endeavor to behave like Boaz
and Naomi.
2. Your brand
Your
brand is a great seed, again the seed that has the capacity to self seed. Jesus
Christ is the greatest example in human history. Till eternity begins, the
Jesus brand is still self seeding. Other strong biblical brands but not in the
category of the Jesus Christ brand are Joseph and Daniel. Their brands spoke
for them anywhere they went and before whoever they stood. Their brands grew
stronger and prosperous with each new usage.
Your
brand like the mustard seed, the smallest seed has the potential and capacity
to be diversified. The mustard seed best illustrates and is very explanatory of
how small beginnings rooted in God grow to great and global expansion. However,
for small beginnings to expand, the small beginnings have to be implemented
just as the mustard seed is planted. Exploit your talents, ideas, skills from
the very base level and continue working on them till you grow and expand to
God’s heights for you. In like manner, your brand has to be showcased, marketed
and sold just as the mustard seed is planted and nurtured from the tiny seed to
the great tree it becomes. Sam Walton set out to establish a great store that
will make shopping a delightful experience for people. That one store tended
lovingly and wisely multiplied and compounded into several stores globally.
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