How do we enjoy financial blessings?
Acts 4:32~37 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. (32)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #488 My Hope is Built on Nothing Else (#539 in previous version)
God poured financial blessings for the sake of the evangelists and world evangelization on to those who devoted all of their possessions for evangelism and missions. God has a separate economy for evangelism. God also has an economy for missions in His hands. Even the economy that will save the future generations and regions are in God’s hands. What must we do in order to enjoy financial blessings not for our personal wellbeing but for evangelism and missions?
1. Give offering for evangelism, missions, future generations, and life
We need to have a definite financial sense as our finances become more and more difficult, but our hearts become especially weak before offering. The Early Church members gave offering with their hearts in order to save the dying field regardless of their identity and position in society. When they offered everything to God in the midst of hardship, financial blessings poured down upon them.
2. Restore the economy that has become dominated by the forces of darkness
Unbelievers took control over the economy to maintain their desire, fame, and power, but those who have the Gospel must look at the economy in the direction that God desires. It is hard to have the correct economic sense if you become the master of your life and are dragged around by your circumstances. The Early Church members who received great answers through small devotions had their reason for earning and spending money for the evangelism movement. Remember that even the economy that is being controlled by the forces of darkness is under God’s sovereignty; then, restore the economy.
3. Change your views on offering
It is meaningless to give offering out of duty. Whenever people gathered for the sake of the Gospel, prayed, and gave offering, the forces of darkness were broken down and doors of world evangelization were opened. When those who have the Gospel gather for the Gospel, pray and give offering, the forces of darkness are bound and the world that is dying because it is separated from God is revived by hearing the Gospel. If you pray in order to give material devotion, God will give you the Word that you need according to your time schedule. When we give offering just as God’s Word desires, at that time, miracles of creation will arise.
- If you were unable to think about offering due to your difficult situation, begin praying for restoration for the sake of evangelism and missions and make a new, specific plan for offering. Study of Evangelism Message / 2012.2.18