I have been reading this book by Graham Cooke. Actually, I have read this book several times and have been going over this one section in the book. Graham Cooke is an excellent minister who works in the prophetic and has this amazing relationship with God. It is his book, God Revealed, that started me on my journey out of religion and into relationship with God.
Anyway, there is this section near the end of the book that talks about giving. Here are some statements he makes:
”His generosity in your life could save your entire community: That’s how much He wants to give you.” . . . “No one in a city could escape the generosity of God if a church really woke up and saw what was available to them in Christ.” (pg. 58 )
“But He will never give us anything just for ourselves - we are called to give it away, too. We must always keep our eyes open for someone to whom we can give.” (pg. 63)
“None of us inherit a gift or blessing from God just for ourselves; we inherit for our entire community. ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein,’ sang David in Psalm 24:1.” (pg.64)
“He wants to release resources, blessing and prosperity through you to your friends and neighbors. His motive is simple: He wants to save everyone around you.” . . . “We are the opened windows of heaven.” . . . “God wants to give each of us more than we can cope with and enough for our whole community.” . . . “Every time a revived person gets next to someone else, they will have something to give them. But if we don’t see our lives as a contribution, God will not be able to give us anything.” (pg. 65)
“My job on earth is to give out whatever God gives me. The faster I give it away, the better it is for me. I am called to be ridiculously generous – and so is every Christian on earth.” (pg. 66)
“God is out to smash Christianity’s preoccupation with itself and its own needs. We are to be preoccupied with the needs of the community and realize that we are the windows God has opened through which He will pour the resources of heaven. We must stop living as if God is one step away from bankruptcy.” (pg. 67)
Are you challenged yet? Of course, Cooke is not referring only to financial giving but any gift God gives us. For instance, I received healing from depression, now I want to give that same hope to others who are caught in depression. I have learned of the power of the secret place (spending that quiet time with the Lord, just being in His presence and listening for His voice) and I want to share that with others. There is so much to give.
However, let’s not set aside giving financially. Perhaps giving money is more difficult because it costs us something. There are SO MANY reasons why we shouldn’t give. Gas prices are sky rocketing, the economy seems to be suffering – blah, blah, blah. Quite frankly, I’m sick of it. Not the “plummeting economy,” but the whining and complaining about it. . . and all the talk about politicians and who is going to make it better! Why are looking to man to fix this problem? It’s time for a new plan. It’s time to rely on a new source – not jobs, not earthly provision. Do we want to see the windows of heaven opened over us? Do we want to be part of the flow of heaven’s prosperity? I do! So guess what? It’s time to trust God! It’s time to give!!!
Just as the principal of giving seems ironic – give in order to receive; so does hanging on to your money. Hanging on is like having a death grip. You squeeze the life out of being able to receive.
I am challenged. I want to grab hold of this concept. I want to give fearlessly and ridiculously. I want to take this to a new level in my life. I feel like it is time to live by a new set of standards -not the old careful ones, but the ones that challenge and cause the promises of God to flow in our lives. We have been careful – we have listened to the wisdom of this world and have lived according to it’s fears. I want to be an open window of heaven and see the blessings of God flow through me (my family) to my neighbors. They are struggling – and I would love to see their hearts melted by the generosity and kindness of God.
Now I just bought a swing set and pool for our backyard. As I was reading the book, I thought, “Oh Lord, here I am spending money on my family. I’m giving to us first.” But I realized that this was also an opportunity to give.
We have had some issues in the neighborhood with certain children being excluded from certain backyards. The parents had their reasons and shouldn’t be judged. However, I wanted to make our backyard a welcome place for all the kids. And that has been the case. It is a blessing to be a blessing.
Realizing this has made it even more enjoyable to open our yard to others. Last year I actually complained because all the kids were always at my house in our tiny fill ‘n’ spill pool. I felt a little taken advantage of. But a little attitude change makes all the difference and now I am happy to have them.
So I hope you are challenged and encouraged today. Whatever situation you are in, don’t be afraid to give – even the tiniest bit can bring a blessing your way. Are you giving so you can recieve? Well, that’s just the principal in action - but the motivation is love for God and the desire to share His love and Truth! Don’t be afraid - Bfree2Give!!!
