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The Dynamics of Giving and Receiving
First Words
I was never taught to give in the denomination in which I was raised. Like all the other children, I always had some coins to put into the offering at Sunday School. Later, as a teenager, I reluctantly accepted a set of small envelopes as an "aid" to my weekly giving. It was pointed out that to give to God in this way was the right thing to do. So I felt I was doing God a good turn by placing my twenty cents in the envelope each week. The system was there, but no one had taught me to associate blessing or benefit with giving.
Later in another church I was introduced to the law of tithing. I well remember the discussion among the young people as to whether the tithe should be based on the gross salary or on the net salary after taxation. In this particular fellowship we were to taught to "give until it hurts" -- and this we did. But there was still no emphasis and very little mention of blessing as a result of giving, apart from spiritual satisfaction.
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Some years later as the pastor of a congregation of believers, I resolved to preach at least once a year on the subject of stewardship. I emphasized the scriptural requirement of being faithful stewards of our time, our talent, and our treasure. Of course, under the last heading I made suitable remarks in favour of giving, and in particular, of tithing. I was subjected to some criticism for this teaching, and it was even suggested that I believed this way "because it was to my advantage to do so". Many people gave willingly, and yet there was not material evidence of blessing in their lives.
I now know that God's plan for His people is to enjoy the more abundant life in every area of our daily lives. I now know that when we give, we should expect to receive -- "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure..." are among the most clear and positive and prosperous words in the Bible.
Thinking people have seen glimpses of light on this subject, even to the point of questioning whether poverty was a spiritual virtue or a common vice. The truth is that poverty is a degrading experience and certainly does not have the blessing of a loving Father Who wants the best for His children.
The "poverty and penance" teaching has its heyday in the Middle Ages, and yet still persists in the consciousness of many dedicated Christians even today. Many will read this book and still want to "spiritualize" the plain statements of the Word of God. They will acknowledge the conclusions drawn but will want to apply them exclusively to spiritual virtues. However, a clear statement to the contrary is found in the Sermon on the Mount: "Therefore, do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:31-33). No one can stretch these verses to teach an exclusively spiritual message. The truth stands firm: seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and having found them, enjoy the supply of your material needs. Any suggestion of poverty as a virtue is entirely absent.
The Bible is the greatest textbook on prosperity ever written, and in this book I quote it constantly and unashamedly. The Word of God is written for those who will to believe, and since it is God "that gives you power to get wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18), then working together with Him to bring prosperity into evidence in your life will be an exciting and challenging adventure.
This book is not about what people are doing or have done, but about what God has done for you and how you may enjoy to the full His bountiful provision. I have resisted the temptation to include recent experiences of those who have profitably applied these truths. However, their gifts of thanksgiving to God from their increase has made the publication of this book possible. Experiences make interesting reading but do not usually provide step-by-step help for the reader. Your economic status, your background, your needs may be very different from those of another person, yet all may follow with confidence the principles taught in God's Word and reap the results The Word has promised. Therefore, apart from an occasional personal anecdote, I have limited myself to an explanation of Biblical statements on this subject, to the best of my ability in a clear and lucid manner, so that all may understand, believer, and prosper.
Finally, I owe my thanks to a vast array of preachers and teachers, both living and dead. To name one would mean naming perhaps one hundred who directly and indirectly increased my knowledge of the integrity and accuracy of God's Word. They shared their knowledge in the expectation that some would believe and apply it. My reward, likewise, will be those who believe the truths presented here and who enjoy to the full the more abundant life.
-- Peter Wade.
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Copyright © 1975 Peter Wade. Revised 1996. ISBN 0 909362 01 7. The Bible text in this publication is mainly from the King James (Authorized) Version (KJV), or is the author's literal translation placed within the framework of the King James Version. This article appears on the site: http://www.peterwade.com/.
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"IN CHRIST" QUOTE FOR TODAY
