One of the most unpopular concepts in the Christian life is that of giving and receiving in the realm of finances. It’s been that way since the inception of the Church. Writing to the church at Philippi nearly 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote:
“Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.” (Philippians 4:15)
We must admit, in our modern age, one reason this concept is not popular is due to the gross abuse that has taken place around giving and receiving. There are those who have, in essence, sold the blessings of God which have made freely available to the believer by grace. However, the truth is that there are spiritual laws that God created and to experience God’s best in this life we need to work within the confines of these spiritual laws. One of those is that of seedtime and harvest.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” (Genesis 1:28-29)
In the beginning, God pointed out to man two things that were necessary for them to understand in order to walk in their purpose: dominion and seed. Notice, the world man was placed inside was a finished work (see Genesis 1:31). However, we must understand that finished work doesn’t equate to automatic work. There are principles and spiritual laws we must use.
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”
(Genesis 8:22)
Genesis 8 was written before the Old Covenant. Therefore, we can’t claim seedtime and harvest is an Old Covenant principle. God did not say, “Until the cross, seedtime and harvest shall not cease.” The one condition He specified was “As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest will be in operation.” The principle of seed does not negate the grace of God. In fact, the grace is often in a seed (see 2 Corinthians 9:10). Everything in life has the potential to be seed—words, thoughts, actions, and even our finances.
Let me make this point: you are not paying God to take care of you. If you are a believer in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus then God is your Father. As your Father, He delights in providing for you. Jesus taught a very important lesson concerning this:
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26)
Don’t read over that. Jesus said, the birds don’t operate according to seedtime and harvest, yet the Father takes care of them. One day, I was sitting on the porch simply observing nature. Suddenly, I watched a bird fly down onto the ground, snatch a worm quickly, and fly away. God used that moment to teach me a lesson. That bird did not give an offering for that worm. He simply knew it was available and received it. It was that easy. Likewise, all that’s required on your end for your Father to take care of you and meet your needs—is believe it’s His will and receive it.
However, God wants much more for us than to just have our needs met. He wants to bless you in such a way that you become a blessing to others. He desires to get you to this place where you aren’t just having your needs met, but you become someone who is freely helping meet the needs of others—all the while pointing people to your good Father.
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”(2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)
How do we get there? We must cooperate with the spiritual law of seedtime and harvest or sowing and reaping. God’s way is not like the world’s way. The world teaches us to work as much as we can, hoard everything we get, and be stingy with all we have. However, God’s path to increase is through giving—without guilt, shame, or any bit of obligation.
“Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
God wants you to give. There’s no way around it. God desires you to grow in the gift of giving just like He wants you to grow in understanding, faith, and love (see 2 Corinthians 8:7). He wants you to bless the poor, widows, orphans, strangers, friends, family, and others. The Scriptures teach this truth repeatedly. We should develop a lifestyle of giving.
One of the greatest needs we can give into is funding the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. In fact, Jesus pointed out the blessing that comes with what we give both for and into the Kingdom:
“So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)
Contextually, I admit money isn’t mentioned here, but Jesus is teaching an important principle. Anything you give for and into the Kingdom, you will receive the same back hundredfold. I’m aware that there are those who have abused these Scriptures and it’s caused people to give, do the math, and then when that number is not the result they receive, they grow bitter and angry. I am not advocating for that type of view of these verses. Rather, I want you to catch the spirit of what Jesus is preaching—seedtime and harvest. What you give, you don’t lose—you gain. We should never become greedy and covetous to the place where the sole purpose for our giving into the Kingdom is what we can get. No, we desire to see people born again, lives changed, bodies healed, and captives set free. This is our purpose. However, God has set it up in such a way that we know there will be a harvest for every seed we have sown—whether it be our giftings, time, encouragement, or finances.
Also, Paul taught in his epistles that we should seek to bless those financially who have taught us the truth of God’s Word.
“If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?” (1 Corinthians 9:11)
“In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.” (1 Corinthians 9:14 NLT)
“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” (Galatians 6:6)
Along these same lines is the teaching of partnership. Partnership is not a modern church creation. Paul claimed the church at Philippi were his partners in spreading the Gospel (see Philippians 1:5 NLT). It becomes obvious in Philippians 4:10-18 that what these partners sent him was of the material nature. Jesus also had partners who ministered to him the same (see Luke 8:1-3).
There is something special about partnership. On my partnership page, here on this website, I have written a letter that gives more detail to the purpose and blessing of partnership.
I would be honored for you to consider sowing into this ministry—whether it be a one-time gift or through a monthly partnership. My desire is to not charge for the teaching offered through this website. I will be making available full-length audio messages weekly on this website free of charge. Also, I will share articles and other resources on a consistent basis. However, with your help—we can do more.
The goal is pure: to see people grow in the Word of God and experience the abundant life Jesus came to give them. I am not seeking the gifts for the gift’s sake. However, I know that your giving will not be in vain. You are blessed and you will be blessed. Together, we are going to take the Word of God as far as we can. My reward will become your reward as we partner together to see lives forever changed.
