The Power of Giving

What if one of God's most powerful spiritual weapons is already in our hands and fully under our control?

In this episode, discover a secret weapon - our offerings to God.
Giving is the highest act of faith we, as humans, can exercise. It may seem illogical at times, yet unlocks divine favor and heavenly provision.
Your breakthrough is waiting on the other side of your giving.

“Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

- Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the Secret Weapon
• 4:02 Cain and Abel's First Offering
• 7:29 David's Costly Sacrifice Stops Plague
• 16:45 Solomon's 1000 Offerings and God's Response
• 22:17 Principles and Promises of Biblical Giving
• 24:30 Final Prayer and Blessing

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:14

Today I want to talk to you about a topic that I understand is a very important act of faith, important act of faith, and I want to tell you that you know it's a misunderstood topic and most of the times it's not even a topic that's touched on. But I will tell you that today I want to talk to you about giving to god and I want to tell you you might think that this is not even a thing. Maybe it's something that you've you've heard of and something that you've been told in the past. Maybe it's something that you do occasionally, maybe it's something that you think that's not in the Bible, and I want to tell you today it's actually a secret of the most high, and all the secrets that are in the Bible have to be revealed and they have to be unlocked. And I want to tell you today that that's actually a secret and I'm going to reveal it to you. It's a weapon. It's a secret weapon that God has given us and it's a key. The way I like to look at it, it's a key to unlock things of the kingdom of god and today, through the word of god, I'm going to share with you examples and, as I told you. It's in the word of god, it's not me, and I'm going to share with you examples and I'm going to leave you with it. The rest of it is up to you. I look look at giving to God as an act of faith, and the faith of an individual is upon an individual. Peter walked on water. The other 11 who were in the boat didn't. So I'm going to leave you with this from the word of God and tell you very clearly from what I understand of it, it being a secret and a key to unlock a lot of things with God. And I want to start right from the beginning.

Speaker 1: 2:09

The very first book in the Bible is the book of Genesis, and the Bible says that God began with making the earth, and you know, if you're not too sure about how it panned out, you should open the book of Genesis and read it. And it gives you a very clear chronological order of how God worked and how he made the planet and everything around. And then it says after making everything and he was pleased with it, he made man and woman, adam and Eve, and he placed them in a garden called the Garden of Eden. And there's a lot that is there in that particular passage, but I don't have the time to speak about it now, but I will tell you that he puts them in this garden and he tells them that you can eat from anything that's in the garden, barring this one tree, the fruit from this one tree. And then it so goes on that well, they did not listen to God and God banishes them from that garden. And the Bible goes on to say that they leave the garden. And then Adam and Eve have two children. They have two sons, cain and Abel.

Speaker 1: 3:28

And the bible says Cain was a keeper of flock. I'm sorry, abel was a keeper of flock and Cain was a tiller of the ground, which means one used to tend the animals, the other one used to tend the field. And I'm going to you from the word of God in the Bible, from the book of Genesis, the fourth chapter, and it says so it came about in the course of time that Cain bought an offering to God of the fruit of the ground. This is the very first book in the Bible and it talks about offering. And it says Cain brought an offering To God From the fruit of the ground, hallelujah. And then it goes on to say Abel, on his part, brought an offering to God Of the firstlings of the flock and of their fat portions. So Cain and Abel, as they were, one Working on the ground, the other one taking care of the, the flock one brings an offering from the ground and the other one brings, as the bible calls it and I'm going to read out to you on his part, bought an offering of the firstlings of the flock and of their fat portions, which means he bought the best of what he had, hallelujah. And then the fourth verse says, and I'm reading it to you from the word of god abel, on his part, bought the first things of his flock and the fat portions. And then listen this and the lord had regard for abel and for his offerings, but for cain and of his offering he had no regard and of his offering he had no regard. And the Bible says that because of that, cain's countenance fell and he gets angry.

Speaker 1: 5:16

I told you the very first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, and the first children on the planet are Cain and Abel, and the first children give an offering to God. It doesn't say anything about why and why not, but it was in the spirit of man to give an offering to God, and it even says that God was pleased with one man's offering and he was not pleased with the other man's offering. Hey, it's not me, it's in the word of God and I'm not going to get into how the story actually pans out after that. But as I want to tell you and I've already going to get into how the story actually pans out after that, but as I want to tell you and I've already brought to your attention, the Bible says that God paid attention to the offering of one and he did not pay attention to the offering of the other. So between Cain and Abel, the way I see it and the way it's, you know, put very clearly in the Bible that one took time and bought the best that he had and gave it to God, and one just probably picked up whatever he had from the ground and gave it to God, and God liked one person's offering. He looked at the at one person's offering with regard and he ignored the other person's offering with regard and he ignored the other person's offering. It says very clearly he had no regard for the offering of Cain. That's hard, but don't miss it. It says that God had no regard for one person's offering.

Speaker 1: 6:36

And today I'll share another story with you, and it comes from the time of King David. And this is a beautiful story. But, to be very honest with you, I did not even know the story before this time. And I will tell it to you. Most of you know the story of job and some of you don't, but that is this time when the bible says the one who comes to lie, steal and destroy, standing in line to report to god. And then it so happens that, of course, this is not what I want to share with you, but I'm just going to give you a brief. And it so happens that when his turn comes, he's talking about how he's been roaming the earth looking for let's call it somebody who's worthy. And God says have you considered my servant, job? And the very same way, the Bible says there is this time when satan stood up against israel, at the time of the rule of king david. Wow, that's tough one. It's very clear and I'll tell, I'll tell you, I'll tell you where it is also.

Speaker 1: 7:33

So the bible says that there is this time when satan stood up against israel, at the time of the king david. Wow, that's a tough one. I think it's a similar time as that, a similar time as Job. I'll tell you these are very different times. David lived in a very different time and God tells him, through another man of God, to go and count the population of Israel. Okay, through another man of god to go and count the population of israel. Okay, he tells him to count the population that's in israel.

Speaker 1: 8:11

And I want to tell you that the bible says that david stored a bit of a casual attitude while counting the people of israel. That's all it says. And because of that, god is displeased. Okay, and I'll tell you, the Bible says God struck Israel with a plague. It's so clear. First, satan stands up against Israel and God hits it with a plague, which means Satan can only stand and point and God will take the action. Remember that. And I want to point out to you this morning that he would have been confident about David at some level, just as he was confident about Job. He was confident about David. And the Bible says God struck Israel with a plague, hallelujah.

Speaker 1: 9:07

And I want to tell you thatid knows that he has done wrong because god asked him to do something and he had a casual attitude towards it. He still does it, but he has a casual attitude towards it. And the bible says he leaves two portions of his region out. So that count, which is basically a census the population is left out and God gets angry because of that. There might have been some barter happening in the background between God and Satan, I don't know. But he wanted a count and David got it wrong and because of that he sends a plague on Israel. And David knows he's made a mistake and he begins to reach out to God for forgiveness.

Speaker 1: 9:39

And the Bible says that David had a seer called Gad. A seer called Gad A seer is basically someone who had to connect with God on a spiritual level and God would give them visions and speak to them directly. And this person's name is Gad. And the Bible says that God speaks with Gad to go and tell David, and this is in the first one chronicles. So God speaks to Gad and tells him go and tell David. This Thus says the Lord. Lord, I offer you three things. Choose for yourself which one of them you will do. So David makes a mistake and God sends a plague on Israel. And now David is asking for forgiveness from God and God speaks to Gad, through Gad to David, saying I'm giving you three things. Choose and I'm reading it to you from the word of God, from 1 Chronicles, 21 verse onwards Either three years of famine or three months to be swept away before your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword. Wow, I told you these were different times and God was angry with David and I don't think these are choices to pick from, but these are the three options he had.

Speaker 1: 11:10

And look at the heart of David. The Bible says David, a man of my own heart, god called him that. David says in great distress, it is better to fall into the hands of God than to fall into the hands of man, because God has mercies and his mercies are great. So basically, he agrees to the pestilence that will come on Israel. And the Bible says God sent a pestilence on Israel and 70,000 men of the population that he had counted die. And then God is sending an angel, the Bible says, to Jerusalem to destroy it. And this is exactly how the events go. And God saw and was sorry over the calamity and said to the destroying angel it is enough, now relax your hand. So, after God has sent a plague to Israel and now that angel who is destroying things has turned to Jerusalem. God Is sorry over the calamity that's happening to his people and he tells the angel Hold, relax your hand.

Speaker 1: 12:23

And the Bible says very clearly that the angel of the Lord is standing above this particular place, which is the threshing floor of Onan, the Jebusite Onan is the name of a person and he's a Jebusite. And the angel the Bible says is standing by the threshing floor of Onan. And then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven. And those of you who have an imagination, go for it. David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven with a drawn sword and his hands stretched out over Jerusalem. And David and the elders covered themselves with sackcloth and fell on their faces. Wow, that's not a good situation to be in. And David spoke to God for mercy.

Speaker 1: 13:18

And yet again, god, through Gad, speaks to David and says go to the threshing floor of Onan and make a sacrifice, build an altar for me. He says. So the angel is just waiting there with the sword drawn, relaxing his hand, because God has told him to relax his hand and he's just waiting. Told him to relax his hand and he's just waiting. And god now speaks to gad and tells him go and tell david to build an altar for me at the threshing floor for none. And the bible says that king goes, the king david, he goes to the, to the person and he tells him I want your threshing floor. God has told me to build an altar, you for the destruction that's come to us, and or none, who is the Jebusite says take it, oh, my king. The bible basically says he falls down flat when he sees his king coming to him and he says everything that I have is yours, just take it. And he offers it to the king free. And he also tells him here's the ox for a burnt offering and here's the plow that you can use for wood as an offering on the altar and here For a burnt offering, and here's the plow that you can use for wood as an offering on the altar, and here's also grain that comes from the threshing floor that you can give as an offering to God. And listen to this In 1st Chronicles, 21st chapter, king David said to Onan no, I will buy it for you For a full price, and I will not take what is yours for the Lord or For you For a full price, and I will not take what is yours for the Lord or offer a burnt offering which cost me nothing, hallelujah.

Speaker 1: 14:50

So David purchases it From Onan the Jebusite and he builds an altar there. And the Bible says he offered these offerings, a peace offering, and he called the Lord. And he answered David with fire from heaven on the altar for the burnt offering, oh hallelujah. So he does what God asked him to do and strangely, as I said from the word of God I will give you the answers today God asked him to build an altar and make a sacrifice, and he does not take it for free. Besides, to pay in full price to a nun the threshing floor, the cost of the ox and all the wood that he can use for the offering. And let me tell you what happens next. The Lord commanded the angel and he put his sword back in its sheath. The Bible says oh hallelujah, oh hallelujah. So david decides to pay a price, even though he's a king and he could get it for free. He says I won't make an offering to god if it's free. It has to cost me.

Speaker 1: 16:01

The bible says david was a man of god's own heart, something god knew, something about him and I want to tell you this. He makes the sacrifice on that altar, he uses the oxen that he bought, he uses the wood from the plow that he bought and he asked god to send fire down. And god sends fire down. And then he goes and tells the angel, and the angel puts his sword back into his sheath and the plague is over, hallelujah. And the bible says david continued to offer sacrifices there, oh, hallelujah. And god turned away the plague from jerusalem, hallelujah.

Speaker 1: 16:41

And I have one last example to share with you, and again it's from the time of solomon. And just to let you know, solomon is the son of david and the bible says that david's time is up and the Bible says he's ripe of age and he was a very successful king and the longest ruling king of Israel from that day till now, as God had promised him. We all know what's happening in Israel now, but he had peace on all sides and, yes, he did fight battles and because he fought battles, god does not allow him to build a temple. Just to let you know. He says your hands have blood on them, so does not allow him to build a temple. Just to let you know, he says your hands have blood on them, so I won't let you build a temple. But I have appointed your son and I have blessed him and he will build my temple and just as any man of God, david, of course, accepted it. But that's not the story I want to tell you today. The Bible says David's time is up and he has to go. And the Bible says David dies ripe of age and Solomon is now a young man and he's a young King. And now the entire region of Israel has been handed over to him and he's a young man.

Speaker 1: 17:51

And listen to this. The Bible says Solomon is a young king and he goes with his assembly, which is all his. Um, you know, the bible even talks about how king david's entire uh, let's call it all his, his wise men and the people who used to advise him, his advisory committee, let's call it that and his parliament, let's call it that they all swear allegiance to Solomon. So he takes all of them. It's called the assembly. He takes all of them and he goes to a place called Gibeon. Some of you might have heard this place before. Some of you have not, but I'm going to. I'm going to refresh your memory. By the way, gibeon is the place where Moses pinched the tent of meeting and it's so uncanny because the tent of meeting was something you heard about last time on this very same place. And gibbon is the place where moses has pitched the tent of meeting. And listen to this solomon goes to the tent of meeting. I did, I did not even know it. The bible says there's a bronze altar there, at the tent of meeting, and solomon offers 1000 burnt offerings on it. The bible says he's a young man and he must have learned something from his father. Oh, believe me, the bible has. I can't even count the number of times the bible talks about david giving, giving offerings to god. I've not even gotten into it, I've just shared one example. But solomon must have learned something from his, from his father. And he goes to the tent of meeting, where there's a bronze altar, the bible says and he offers 1000 burnt offerings to god. And listen to this.

Speaker 1: 19:27

In second chronicles. I'm reading it from the word of god, the first chapter, the seventh verse Solomon went up there, in the presence of the Lord, on the bronze altar at the tent of meeting and offered 1000 burnt offerings on it. And in the night, god appeared to Solomon and said ask what I shall give you. Oh hallelujah, oh hallelujah, oh hallelujah. He makes 1,000 burnt offerings. He's a young boy and he knew something. And God, the Bible says, appears to Solomon that very, very night it does not even say what time that offering was made, but that very night, that is immediately, god comes to solomon and asks him what shall I give you? Not, hey, solomon, thank you for your offering. What do you want? What is it? Do you want what?

Speaker 1: 20:32

And the bible goes on to say that solomon just asked for wisdom to rule his people. And god is so impressed that he's only asked for wisdom. And he even tells him that because you've only asked for wisdom and not asked for riches, you've not asked for wealth and honor, you've not asked for the death of your enemies and you've only asked for wisdom. I will give you all of this free Hallelujah. And you can read it from 2nd Chronicles Give me now wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before your people, who you have chosen, oh hallelujah. And God said to Solomon Because you have in mind Only this and did not ask for riches, wealth and honor or the life of those who hate you, nor have you asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule my people. Wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you, and I will give you riches and wealth and honor such as none of the kings before you and none that will ever come. Oh hallelujah, hallelujah, because of an offering that Solomon made to God, he gave him wisdom, knowledge. He gave to God. He gave him wisdom, knowledge, he gave him long life, he gave him riches, wealth, honor that no king was before him and none that ever will be after him. Oh hallelujah.

Speaker 1: 22:12

The bible says god is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. And the same god who was pleased with abel and who looked at his offering with happiness is the same jesus who sat at the treasury at the synagogue and pointed out the widow who put in her two mites. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. I told you. I can give you examples from the word of god, and I just have time only to give you three. You can either understand it or you can choose to absolutely ignore it, but let me tell you this if you can take the blessings that are in the bible, take this, because it is in the bible and you cannot ignore it. And, believe me, david knew it, solomon knew it. If you want God to visit you in person, go make an offering. I mean, think about it.

Speaker 1: 23:04

There aren't too many places where it's even written in the Bible that God came to someone and said tell me what you want. It happens in the case of Solomon and because of that, because of Solomon asked for something so humble and so important to God that I just want wisdom to manage your people or their, your people. You are his people, imagine that. And because of that he says I'll give you so much more free that nobody before you will have, nobody after you will ever have. That means Solomon. There has never been a king like Solomon. Just to let you know, solomon built a temple of gold, which the world till today is looking for it, and he had wisdom.

Speaker 1: 23:40

The Bible says people came from different parts of the globe just to listen to what he had to say about the, about the animals and the birds of the air. He had knowledge of wisdom and mathematics and sciences. The Bible says, oh, hallelujah. Why? Because he made an offering. I'm telling you that and I leave you with this passage of scripture from the book of Proverbs, the third chapter, ninth. And science says the Bible says oh hallelujah, why? Because he made an offering. I'm telling you that and I leave you with this passage of scripture from the book of Proverbs, the third chapter, ninth and 10th verse Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce.

Speaker 1: 24:05

So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. Oh hallelujah, honor the Lord with your wealth. It sayselujah. Honor the lord with your wealth. It says honor the lord with your wealth from the first of all your produce. Keep aside a lot, first from everything that you make, and then your buns will be filled to plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. Amen, hallelujah, let's all pray.

Speaker 1: 24:31

Dear lord, I thank you for this beautiful word. Lord, I thank you for your double-edged sword does not go back until it has achieved what it has been set out for. Lord, I thank you for this wonderful secret that you've revealed to us today, lord. Thank you, lord, that you're changing people's hearts. Thank you, lord, that you will open doors that no man can shut. Your word says, lord, and thank you, lord. Your word says that when we honor you with your wealth, the first of all our produce, you, lord, you will have our vats filled with new wine and our storages will overflow with plenty. Thank you, lord, for watching over your word to perform it. Thank you, lord, for your beautiful presence. Thank you for your beautiful wisdom that you're already releasing onto people, that they will understand your word. Thank you, lord. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.