HOW ADDICTED ARE YOU TO GOD'S KINGDOM? (PART 1)
TEXT:
"But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well."
(Matthew 6 verse 33, Contemporary English Version).
Given the current economic and financial challenges of the time, the most crucial concern with men today is how their daily needs will be met. But with the Lord Jesus' sermon in Matthew 6, from which our Scripture reading for today is taken, we are counseled to "take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?"
(Matthew 6 verse 31). Rather, we are "more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." (Matthew 6 verse 33).
Let me point out at this juncture that we need to understand that most things of the spirit are paradoxical in nature. For the avoidance of doubt, a paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true. For instance, the Bible says in Proverbs 11 verse 24 that "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." Naturally, it seems contrary to common sense that the one that gives generously will experience an increase. See also Isaiah 40 verse 31.
In the same vein, today's Scripture verse tells us to "more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." In other words, as we seek the advancement of God's Kingdom with our substance, doing what He bids us to do, then He will provide us with all we need in life.
The pertinent question to ask is, where is the advancement of God's Kingdom in your increase? Like the rich fool in Luke 12 verses 16 to 21, are you stockpiling just for yourself, laying up treasure for yourself and not rich toward God?
Truth is, covenant alignment is the key to heavenly abundance. As you give your substance for the advancement of God's Kingdom, He ensures that your needs are adequately met. Each time you give towards the advancement of God's work, or you give as He bids you to do, it serves to put a demand on His faithfulness to respond to you as He has promised in His Word. What I'm sharing with you has worked in my life very tremendously!
Henceforth, should you desire to see an increase in your finances, learn to let the advancement of God's Kingdom not only have a place in your heart, but also, to let it have its share in your increase. Toward this end, neglect not to tithe correctly. Let your offerings be commensurate to your income (see Malachi 3 verse 8). Be cheerful to make contributions towards meeting the needs of the poor, your Pastor and the Church. Learn to play the fool with your substance, especially towards serving the Lord and the increase of His Kingdom and you'll be amazed at how He will meet your needs.
PRAYER:
Lord, all that I am, that I have, I lay down at Your Feet, in Jesus name.