Matt. 10:8 - Freely Give

cmp.2007.03.07
ed.2008.08.30.11 (Public Review)

Pastor,

Greetings in the name of Jesus! I heard that there were some dissensions about the very extravagant gift you had recently received. Jesus gave very specific commandments regarding stewardship and giving, and I believe that we must remind the Church, even the leadership, that we have freely been given all things. And, as Jesus commanded, "Freely you received, freely give."

It is our willingness to accept that all good things come from God that brings us to acknowledge Him. And in our praise, God finds a dwelling place. It is our determination to be faithful and accountable with every gift that God has given us that lets us know that we should accept these gifts. Otherwise, if we are not faithful, we are more than guilty of those accusations that we are full of greed and selfishness.

It is written that seed is given to the sower. A sower by definition is someone who takes seed that they have and buries it into the ground. And through its death, new life is given. And we also understand that all seed is given to us to be planted.

It is also written that the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. Even when God gives us more seed to be faithful with, we are not excused from being accountable for what He has given us before. Our responsibilities grow as we grow in favor. If those in the Kingdom are called to plant seed, the Word of God, then everything within our means is simply a tool for that purpose.

To clarify, Scripture speaks clearly concerning wealth and prosperity. Consider prosperity as the ability to make an increase with what we are given and alternatively, wealth as the act of storing that increase. It is certain that His desire for us is to prosper. So in this light, we can understand why Jesus spoke against those who stored up their wealth, but not against prosperity. "Bear one another's burdens, and in this, fulfill the law of Christ."

We will be held accountable for those gifts that we were given and their potential for increase. We have to let those things die to us by releasing our authority over them and placing them under the authority of God. Now, when I say that we must let those things die to us, I am referring to a common truth. When a man dies to the law, the law no longer has authority over him. If we have died to the law, the law has no right to reclaim us or enforce its constraints.

In the same way, if we let something die to us, and if we truly make an offering to God, we surrender our right to take it back or impose constraints on our offering. A sacrifice in every sense of the word implies that our offering literally leaves our possession and given to another.

What do we do then if we offer up our gifts and they return again? We believe that God is honoring His Word that just as our bread is cast upon the water, it has returned to us. Therefore, we continue in obedience and sow that seed again and again knowing that what He has given will always be ours. And, our faith in His Word is evidenced by us freely giving it away over and over.

We so often justify our income, our possessions, gifts and even our lives by claiming that a workman is worthy of his hire. If we negotiate a wage, then we are paid in obligation. Those who are paid through a wage have received their reward. If we are given more above that wage, then what we receive is an act of favor—grace. Therefore, as gifts given in favor there is no possible way to justify why we received them; only when there is a law, an agreement, can we justify why we should be given a wage. Otherwise, our only explanation is favor.

And so, we give again and again knowing that whatever gift that we give for God will be returned to us to give yet again. And in this, our actions are evidence that we truly believe that investments in this life, and rewards in this life, cannot compare to what we believe are in store for those who love God and are called according to Hs purpose. The gifts of God are without repentance, so they will always be ours to give. But, they will never be ours to keep to ourselves. Even concerning the rewards to come, we will lay them down at His feet.

I pray that you grow you favor and peace in God through Christ Jesus, amen.