Different kinds of offerings are properly prescribed in Scripture. These include first-fruit, feast, new moon, wood, sacrificial, love offerings, donations, thanksgiving offerings, and others.
You may give an offering thanking God, the church or just to support the church or for projects, camps, crusades, etc. You may also bless the men and women of God in any kind of resource and God will bless you in turn. Have you ever read this verse: “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
By Bishop Pride Sibiya
Giving is sowing and what you sow is what you reap (Galatians 6:6-7). If you sow sparingly you will reap likewise and if you sow generously you will reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Here in Zimbabwe I know people who have given cheques, houses, cars, offices computers, instruments and others to God’s ministers and vision and God blessed them. God is a good investment. Giving is also an act of faith in Jehovah- Jireh, “the lord who will provide all my needs”
Some say, “but Apostle, things are not well, I am very poor and our economy….” 2 Corinthians 8:2 says that, out of the Macedonians’ severe trial and extreme poverty came rich generosity. The more they were poor, the more they gave. In fact if you are poor it means it is you who has a greater need for God’s blessing. Huh! I think they knew the principle of sowing and reaping. God will not ask for what you do not have and is not a trickster. Mwari handi tsotsiba uye haakunyepere. Ndinzwei, ipa Mwari zvaakakupa (God is not a trickster and not a liar, give Him what He has given you). He is the one who gives you the seed to sow anyway! You are not too poor to give. In fact I realized we are not to be only givers but go on to be faithful stewards of God’s property who take it to Him as per His call for His property which we, as of now, call ours.
Many people claim the word in Philippians 4:19 that God will meet your needs according to his riches in glory, but never look at why Paul said this. Paul had no financial support from any church then but received support from the Philippians at the hands of Epaphroditus. He therefore pronounced this blessing in response to this gesture. It is because they had provided for him that God would meet all their needs. I was taught this by a widow who when I visited her home gave me all the money in her house. I refused because of the three reasons: she was just a widow with orphans, it was all the money she had I was not even in need of the money. She opened the scriptures and rebuked me. She taught me the principle from Philippians and explained that she was just obeying God and would be blessed because of this. And indeed she was blessed!
I therefore encourage you to give bountifully. Have you ever considered how easy it to give that usual average amount you give in church but feel offended if I give you the same amount to go shopping? Saka Mwari ndiye anotenga neUS$1 iwe uchitowona kuti haikukwanire?(so you want God to go shopping with that US$1 and yourself feel it is too little for your shopping). Is it not interesting that people talk ill about the way members of some successful churches give? They will complain that people are being cheated while the alleged cheated people prosper and themselves without anything to show for their “wisdom”.
By Bishop Pride Sibiya
Giving is sowing and what you sow is what you reap (Galatians 6:6-7). If you sow sparingly you will reap likewise and if you sow generously you will reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Here in Zimbabwe I know people who have given cheques, houses, cars, offices computers, instruments and others to God’s ministers and vision and God blessed them. God is a good investment. Giving is also an act of faith in Jehovah- Jireh, “the lord who will provide all my needs”
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| Moving The Church To The Next Level: Give Faithfully |
Some say, “but Apostle, things are not well, I am very poor and our economy….” 2 Corinthians 8:2 says that, out of the Macedonians’ severe trial and extreme poverty came rich generosity. The more they were poor, the more they gave. In fact if you are poor it means it is you who has a greater need for God’s blessing. Huh! I think they knew the principle of sowing and reaping. God will not ask for what you do not have and is not a trickster. Mwari handi tsotsiba uye haakunyepere. Ndinzwei, ipa Mwari zvaakakupa (God is not a trickster and not a liar, give Him what He has given you). He is the one who gives you the seed to sow anyway! You are not too poor to give. In fact I realized we are not to be only givers but go on to be faithful stewards of God’s property who take it to Him as per His call for His property which we, as of now, call ours.
Many people claim the word in Philippians 4:19 that God will meet your needs according to his riches in glory, but never look at why Paul said this. Paul had no financial support from any church then but received support from the Philippians at the hands of Epaphroditus. He therefore pronounced this blessing in response to this gesture. It is because they had provided for him that God would meet all their needs. I was taught this by a widow who when I visited her home gave me all the money in her house. I refused because of the three reasons: she was just a widow with orphans, it was all the money she had I was not even in need of the money. She opened the scriptures and rebuked me. She taught me the principle from Philippians and explained that she was just obeying God and would be blessed because of this. And indeed she was blessed!
I therefore encourage you to give bountifully. Have you ever considered how easy it to give that usual average amount you give in church but feel offended if I give you the same amount to go shopping? Saka Mwari ndiye anotenga neUS$1 iwe uchitowona kuti haikukwanire?(so you want God to go shopping with that US$1 and yourself feel it is too little for your shopping). Is it not interesting that people talk ill about the way members of some successful churches give? They will complain that people are being cheated while the alleged cheated people prosper and themselves without anything to show for their “wisdom”.
In these “giving churches” even ordinary school teachers, nurses, computer technicians, accountants here are better of than their counterparts in other churches “Nhai iwe mwana wechiwono chino newemuapostori washe, Seiko vonodyirwa mari variwo vanopfuma “vasingadyirwe vachifa vachingoti Sibiya itsotsi, vachishaya mari yechingwa chaiyo. Aiwa yavo inodyiwavo neudyi nezvikwambo nezvimwe” (why is it that the alleged cheated are prospering and the wise are dying of hunger overly emphasizing that Sibiya is a fraud.) Critics will continue talking, murmuring, and complaining but as for me and you let us just do God’s will.
In concluding the financial issues let me say that in this church you should always aim higher in life. Everyone must work in one way or the other. You must be able to support your family and church. Do not simply be a lazy busybody who does nothing in life (Titus 3:14). 2 Thessalonians 3 6-14 discourages idleness so do something and do not be shy to sell merchandise or to do “lowly jobs”. God will bless the work of your hands and God will promote you in due season. The norm is “if a man will not work he shall not eat”1 Timothy 5:8 says plainly: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for his family, he has dishonoured the faith and is worse than the unbeliever”.
In concluding the financial issues let me say that in this church you should always aim higher in life. Everyone must work in one way or the other. You must be able to support your family and church. Do not simply be a lazy busybody who does nothing in life (Titus 3:14). 2 Thessalonians 3 6-14 discourages idleness so do something and do not be shy to sell merchandise or to do “lowly jobs”. God will bless the work of your hands and God will promote you in due season. The norm is “if a man will not work he shall not eat”1 Timothy 5:8 says plainly: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for his family, he has dishonoured the faith and is worse than the unbeliever”.
Work and improve your life. This will directly help the vision because all people want to be associated with better things and you will also find it easy to finance God’s work. To be rich is not a sin, money is not evil but it is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Target quality in addition to quantity. Work with your hands, bath, and dress well, comb your hair well or even style it. (only in biblical standards and not unpresentable styles culturally), buy a nice car and house because God is on your side. Aim high and to be better than what you are today. The vision will succeed. Before going forward I will briefly look at a very crucial step in success of our vision which is planning.
Receive Jesus Christ today and go to church for spiritual fellowship.
Follow Apostle Pride Sibiya (Bishop: Glory Ministries) on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Periscope, WhatsApp, Google+, Instagram, Instaclips, and all social media.
Copyright: Brand Pride Sibiya (tempering with the article without permission of Brand is a criminal offense).
The views shared in this article may not necessarily be the same as those of the brand.
Receive Jesus Christ today and go to church for spiritual fellowship.
Follow Apostle Pride Sibiya (Bishop: Glory Ministries) on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Periscope, WhatsApp, Google+, Instagram, Instaclips, and all social media.
Copyright: Brand Pride Sibiya (tempering with the article without permission of Brand is a criminal offense).
The views shared in this article may not necessarily be the same as those of the brand.
