UNFAITHFUL GIVING
MALACHI 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings”.
Unfaithful giving burdens the work of God, “The work of God on this earth should run as a swift chariot but it often drags as wheels without grease,” to quote an old time Bible preacher. Another wrote “The Work of Christ is suffering, not because of Satan’s many devices but of the Saint’s many excuses.”
Instead of going forth as a mighty army, the work of God is limping as a cripple because of unfaithful Christians. They hesitate to give Him of their time, talents and treasures. Great blessings are promised by Him who cannot lie, to the faithful ones. Faithfulness to the Lord means tithing and more than tithing, it means responding to the call of God whenever and wherever it is given. It means giving and serving with an attitude of cheerfulness because of love in the heart.
The key to faithfulness is God’s love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. Love is the only motive God accepts for service. The Ephesian Church worked but had left their first love and they were told to repent or else their power would be removed, and with it the presence of the Lord. Faithfulness to our call involves setting biblical standards in our lives. By setting standards, I mean, living by them. There are many who know what is right or wrong, but they make no commitment to do it. We must not only consider things that are definitely declared sinful in God’s Word but questionable things, also. Things which may offend others. Things we have liberty to do or not to do, but in the eyes of others, may be offensive.
It is a blessed truth that a faithful local church can affect the world, not only its own community. It can make an impact there but also reach out to communities around it and to other states and other nations by sending missionaries God has called. When we see the world as the field, we get Gods view. And God’s plan is to reach and disciple of all nations. Faithfulness is also a challenge to other Christians, we can “provoke” others to good works by being faithful ourselves. Our influence will be to them for good.
To consider that faithfulness is going to be the basis of Christ’s judgment at His judgment seat is another great inspiration to us to be faithful. “Well done good and faithful servant” will be the words spoken to faithful laborers. What a wonderful privilege it is to labor for the Lord. It is indeed a work of faith and labor of love.
In His grace,
Pastor Ed Bowen
