Gerry van der Wende: The gift that keeps on giving

The gift that keeps on giving!

August 14, 2011
1 Kings 17:7-16, Haggai 1:1-11

Introduction

We have been going through some hard times lately
Some of us have lost jobs, some have lost our home. Maybe we have contemplated bankruptcy
This is tough.
And it may be that that the economy will get worse before it get better
But how does this look for the Christian? Don't we have some kind of special relationship with God?
How is it that we go through the same troubles as unbelievers?
Today we are going to look at one major principle in the way we deal with our finances

Giving may be a hard choice to make

1 Kings 17:7-16
Widow who lived in a village near Sidon, on the coast
There was famine in the land, just as there is famine financially in this nation right now
This widow had reached the end of her rope
She had only enough food left for one more meal. There were no prospects for any more to come
She expected that this was the end of the road, she and her son were going to die
Maybe things have become so tough for us that we feel we are on the edge of disaster
Elijah, the man of God comes on the scene
God actually sent him to this particular lady, who was in such dire straits
He asks the lady for a glass of water - she was able to get that, it came out of the village well, and did not cost her anything.
But then he asks her for some food
Verse 11-14
Notice that Elijah asks the widow to step out in faith, and first of all give Elijah a meal. This would mean that she would go hungry
God tells us that we should live by faith - Hebrews 11:6
We expect that God will take care of us, as we put him first in our lives - Matthew 6:33
God knows our needs and promises to take care of them Philippians 4:19
But he asks this widow to take care of Him first, in the person of Elijah
As she steps out in obedience to this, God miraculously supplies her needs, food for the duration of the famine
This was a tough step to take.
We may think Elijah was selfish in asking this, but it was God who led him to ask this.

Our role in supporting God's house

Haggai 1:1-11
Some of the Jews had come back from captivity in Babylon, to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and rebuild the temple
Haggai was a prophet God sent to speak to them at that time, as was Malachi
Things were not going well for them
Their focus was not on building God's house, but on taking care of number one
They were delaying taking care of God's house until they were all settled in and had the time and the means to rebuild the temple
God took a dim view of this, because he is the ruler of the universe.
We don't pay our taxes only if we have money left over, nor does God approve of us paying our tithes only when we can do so without pain
God expects to be put first in our lives
What are our finances like? Do they seem like heaven has stopped pouring out rain on us
Does it seem as though financial blessing has evaporated from our life?
Maybe it is time to examine ourselves, and look at if we are putting God first, in our finances
If we do, God promises to bless us
Malachi was a fellow prophet with Haggai
Malachi 3:8-12
God says, "Test me in this". Take him at His Word!
See how the blessings will come
God uses our finances to see where our heart is
If we are putting Him first in our lives, even in our finances, even during hard times, he promises to take care of us
Matthew 6:33 "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"

Conclusion

It takes faith to take this step
When we look at our bank balance and don't know how it will work out, it is not easy
But God delights in us when we trust him
Trusting him in the good times and the bad
He is faithful, and he will come through with the goods
He will continue to provide for us, until the end of the famine
And he will bless us so we no longer have to borrow, but have money left over to help others!
It;s a great feeling to stand right before God, and know that he is batting on your side, and he will take care of you.

Gerry van der Wende