Guaranteed!

​Payne lives in the United States but is from Great Britain. Payne grew up as an agnostic.  When he came to the U.S., he accepted an invitation to church and heard the minister encourage people to give in support of the ministry.  Payne was surprised when the pastor guaranteed that if anyone tithed and did not see God bless their efforts and consequently lost money, he would return their total gift.  After the service, he went up to the pastor and said, “Let me get this straight.  You are giving us a money-back guarantee if we give and do not see an increase in our finances?”  The pastor replied, “I’ve been pastoring for over 30 years, and I have never lost this challenge—so yes, I’m giving you a money-back guarantee!”

So intrigued was Payne by this challenge that he went home and wrote out a check for what represented 10% of his regular income.  He did this at a point where his finances were tight, and it was a leap of faith for him to make a sacrificial gift.  Later that month, he received a check from his wife’s ex-husband for unpaid child support. It was precise to the dollar the amount that he had sacrificially given.  Then God truly opened his eyes by giving him an unexpected, substantial raise in his job. With eyes enormously open to the reality of God, Payne gave his heart to Christ and became a faithful Jesus follower. Today he is a successful businessman whose testimony glorifies God and inspires the intersecting lives of others.
 
Meditation
2 Corinthians 9:6-8--Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
 
The Apostle Paul knew from personal experience that God provided for his needs through the gifts of other saints. “For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times” (Philippians 4:16). So great was his confidence in God’s faithfulness that he guaranteed his readers, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Php. 4:19).  

If you are discouraged by your financial situation—give to the Lord.  Place your trust in His faithfulness.  Don’t let fear flavor faith. Step out in the confidence that you can trust God and invest wisely in His kingdom. Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Meditation
This is not tithing, where God is given 10 percent and we keep 90 percent of what we make.  This is gratitude expressing itself in miraculous generosity.  One hundred percent giving is normal behavior in the kingdom.  All that we have is placed at God’s disposal.  We are entrusted to manage His resources for Him.—Jan David Hettinga in Follow Me

​©2022 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)