The Abundant Life is
Not About How Much You Make, Not About How Much You Keep,
It’s ALL About How Much You GIVE!

High Percentage Givers Inherit the Kingdom

I used to think it was all about how much you keep. Keep it from Uncle Sam. Loopholes, smart investing, minimizing your tax liabilities.

Although a wise man in 1985 told me the best investment was to Give It To God! “That’s your best investment, Keith………..Give it to God. Invest in the Kingdom! Give to the Least, Invest in Missionaries! Give, Give, Give!” As a young man in my late twenties, I was foolish and knew more than these older men.

Until about 2 years ago when I read 2 Corinthians 8. WOW! I am sure you hear that taught often? Right? NOT! You have never heard it taught and nor have I.

How does the Macedonians’ “abundance of joy and extreme poverty overflow in a wealth of generosity”? That just doesn’t make good sense! And Paul doesn’t stop there, he goes on:

“For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints…….”

2 Corinthians 8: 3,4

Greed vs. Other Sins

But why not? We would rather discuss other sins like adultery, lust, false witness, lack of integrity, stealing, killing the unborn, gambling, cursing, drunkenness and homosexuality. I think another reason is that Greed or loving money more than the Father, is a private sin. You don’t need to see my bank account or my finances because that information is none of your business. I give my 10% of my “Net – Net” but of course you don’t know what that is because it is none of your business.

Money = Security

We find great security in our wealth! We protect it at all costs believing it will bring happiness and peace and comfort and eternal life. Well……….at least the first three. Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not referring to non-believers. These are Bible believing Born Again Christians who feel this and practice it. I know this because I know myself and my relatives and friends who are quite wealthy, all claiming the blood of Jesus.

Jesus Sees Hearts

But Jesus knows our hearts, doesn’t he? Jesus said:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven………… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Wow, Jesus always knows how to spoil my fun and get to the heart of the matter. And we all try to justify our stinginess and greed using the incorrect tithing “cop out” of 10%. It’s a favorite of multi-millionaire Christians because it is quite convenient. One prominent Christian Financial Evangelist with net worth close to $200 Million clings to this 10% tithe per year. Still living on 90% of his millions and only giving 10% of his annual earnings.

Does this behavior please Jesus? How does this line up with what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8:9?

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Are we playing games with the Father? Does He know our net worth? Can He see my 401K holdings? Does He even care what percentage I give? Is He the same Father who was pleased with the Widow’s mite? Looking at the heart rather than the external appearance and amount of the gift? Does it really matter for eternity? Does my giving have any effect on my daily walk? Isn’t this a private matter with no real consequences? I mean, come on, “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills” and as my friend Mary Winters used to say, “and the hills too”. He doesn’t need my cash. The Father has plenty!!!

Legacy

The man of God who married us and who gave me the wise counsel in 1985 was audited by the IRS for over 20 straight years. Why? He was a giver! Not a 10% giver but a 49% giver and the US government did not believe him. His legacy still lives today after many years, and he is the main reason that we have a heart for missions and the Least in Thailand and Myanmar.

Why? Flesh! Your stinkin flesh hates 2 Corinthians 8 and the Macedonians and the Widow who gave the mite. And Paul’s warning to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6: 9-10. And then there is Galatians 2:10. And Proverbs 11:4. Riches can bring trouble in your life, real trouble.

But I want a Godly legacy! Don’t you? If you have been called by the Father, of course you do. You want to please the Father above your wife, friends, pastor, colleagues and employer. The Father only wants what Jesus asked of the rich young ruler. (Mark 10:21)

Will you give it up for Him?