A few weeks ago, I had an amazing revelation. I fell under major conviction after hearing a message entitled “The Blessed Life”. The thing that stuck out the most to me was the reality that I had never related tithing to serving.
Some know, others do not. My wife and I have been through several seasons of transition. After moving to Nashville, TN recently, we found ourselves settled as far as location, friends, church, etc. Where we have not been quite settled has been in the area of provision. I mean, we pay our tithes to God, we help people in need. What else could we possibly do, right? The answer actually floored me. Proverbs 11:25 says,” The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” I realized, I was apparently not living a life of total blessing based upon that scripture. If the life of a person who is blessed means that they are “abundantly” blessed then where in the world were we going wrong? I took a step back and looked at everything as a whole. Yes, I have MANY blessing in my life, i.e., my kids, spouse, etc. A person who is truly living a blessed life should not struggle. That is how it had been feeling. It was as if everything was a struggle; especially in the area of finances.
The “Blessed Life” message revealed to me that the area I personally was lacking in was in the area of my time. I was not giving generously with my time. Basically, I was not using my time wisely. I mean, I was spending time with my kids while my wife was working. I was spending time with my wife when she wasn’t working. I was looking for areas of income, everyday. I still had quite a few hours in each day though, that was unaccounted for. When the message was going forth, the pastor said, ” Every deed is a seed. We’re always sowing where we are going.” WOW!!!!! What a revelation! Since my life seemed to not be completely going in the direction I wanted it to be going, it was now obvious to me that I was not sowing in the right areas. If you seem to never get enough help when you need it; when was the last time you did something without expectations of return? Whether it’s financial areas or other areas in your life; God loves a cheerful giver, not a stingy one who gives spoiled seed with an expectation of “gimme gimme gimme”. Maybe you’ve gone through a tragic experience and you can’t seem to get out of your slump. Try finding someone in a similar situation and help them through it. Start with telling them ,” I can sympathize with what you’re feeling.” You’ll be amazed how quick you forget about your own circumstances when you reach out to someone else. If you are unemployed, when is the last time you said,”I have time. I’ll sow my time and help out where needed?” No man is ever unemployed…they just choose not to work. You know your own value & the exact amount you would be paid for things you do. Call it seed sown & anticipate the harvest! That one was free of charge for you via Pastor Danny Chambers..:)
Here’s the deal. We need to ask ourselves,”Where can I serve? ” We all have gifts, talents, & areas of expertise. If you serve, you get served back. The result is based upon your output. Maybe, you think,”I don’t have anything to offer.” I’m telling you, YES YOU DO!!!! Even if your dish is empty, you can always serve. Always be looking for opportunities to serve. You cannot afford not to serve. You have to quit your stinkin’ thinkin’! Start looking for areas you can offer help to. It’s not up to you what others do with your efforts. Since my wife and I have made the necessary adjustments, those struggles and feelings of lack have started to leave. To quote Adonis Lenzy,”You will know you are a servant by the way you respond when you are treated like one!” Do things with a cheerful heart and unselfishly. You do your part and God will do His. Go, Serve, & Be Blessed!!!
Here is the link for the message I was referring to. It was the second part of a three part series. It’s entitled “The Blessed Life – Wk2″. You can find it in the right side menu. Check it out @ http://oasisworship.com/player-on-demand.php
