During prayer, devotion, and meditation this morning, I happened to read two different accounts of those who supported the Nazis. Both stories reflected lives of deceit, regret, and disappointment. The reality is we all get only one life to live. We get one chance to do what we know is right. We get one life to give ourselves to God and hear God’s eternal words “well done my good and faithful servant,” or choose the contrary and hear his response “depart from me, I never knew you.” John Wesley said, “I judge all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity (pg 79).”
This is the foundation of The Treasure Principle: only what we do for God will last. Let us commit together to close the gap between what we actually practice in our lives and what we know God has called us to do.
Not only is it important for us to give. It is equally important for us to teach others the importance of giving – encourage them in their giving and hold them accountable when they do not give. Giving is a good deed. Hebrews 10:24 says:
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
The purpose of giving is not to receive an earthly reward (ex. having people talk about how great you are) or to compare yourself with others (“I should be giving this amount because she is giving that amount”). The purpose is to ask God for his guidance and direction concerning the financial resources that he has given you, and to have an open hand to part with those resources for the betterment of God’s kingdom and for his glory. It pleases the Lord when we are generous and submit to him in this way, trusting him to provide our every need, and it should please us to please the Lord.
“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)
Ask God what he would have you give. When God “gives you more, remind yourself why: that you may be generous on every occasion (pg 92, 2 Corinthians 9:11).”
This is the last chapter of the book. We will spend the remainder of the quarter reflecting on some of the treasure principles and how we can be better stewards of God’s resources.
How is your giving? “Are you winning the battle against materialism? (pg. 81)”
© Natasha L. Robinson 2011
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TTP – Chapter 3 Eyes on Eternity
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 
I’ll be honest, I read ahead of the book and have been finished for the past two weeks. I got so excited reading the book, that I just couldn’t wait for the next week’s reading, I just charged right through. TTP really challenged my “conventional thinking” about giving my tithes to the church. I used to think that by giving to the church every time the pastor passed around the collection plate, I was giving directly to that preacher. Now I understand that my tithes and offerings are really given to the Lord. I must trust and believe that the church I have chosen to attend will do the right thing when it comes to being a good steward of the Lord’s money. Thanks Tasha for sharing TTP and your insightful postings with us. It has been a great journey that has helped me in my quest to renew my faith. Coupled with the wonderful church I have been attending here in Massachusetts, I have been able to stick with my resolution to tithe regularly.
TTP armed me with the biblical text references I needed to help me understand my duty to give and how giving would help open my life to the receipt of blessings. I will be sure to share the book with friends and family, offering it as a road map to understanding the importance of tithing in the church and in our lives.
I am glad that the book has drawn you closer to Christ and offered a biblical understanding of the importance of giving. Thank you for reading and sharing. I hope that this conversation can continue even after we finish this quarter. What a blessing to step out on what you feel God has asked you to do. God bless you, my sister. Love, Natasha