Are you aware that there is an anecdote for the struggles we have with money? When people come to me and say they are having issues with debt and materialism, my first question to them is, “Are you tithing?” Seem a strange question, but based on scripture, I do not believe we will ever conquer our issues with money unless we are good givers. Through personal observation as a faith-based financial planner, I can attest that those stewards who focus on giving first have very few debts and materialism problems.
Giving breaks the power of money over us. I will rearrange the question….have you ever seen someone in severe debt or living paycheck to paycheck their entire lives being a cheerful giver? Probably not. From a teaching position, God has instructed us time and time again throughout scriptures the importance of giving as stated below:
2 Corinthians 9:7 KJVEvery man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
1 John 3:16-18 KJV: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Leviticus 25:35-37 KJV: And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Acts 20:35 KJVI: have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
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