A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (October 19, 2017)
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:24-25)
Have you ever known an extravagant giver? What do you think motivates these type people? What was it in their life that caused them to become such a generous person?
I heard a testimony recently from a person that is such a giver. He has given away homes and cars and all kinds of things that most people would consider outlandish, if not downright foolish. This particular person is now a Pastor, but before he was saved he was heavily into drugs. When he met Jesus his life was radically changed and he is now pastoring one of the largest churches in the United States.
This particular person was sharing about a time when he and his wife went out to dinner with another ministry couple and this couple was asking questions about what was it that made this man give like he gives. They asked his wife what she thought about giving away their home. Her response was that they needed to realize that they were married before they ever got saved so she knew him when he was bound up in drugs. Then the wife said something very profound. She said that when her husband comes to her and tells her he wants to give something extravagant it reminds her that he has never gotten over being saved and she is extremely glad for that.
I know such an extravagant giver who has supported our ministry for over twenty-five years. He was a long-haired dope smoking hippy when he got saved. He was broke and thinking about committing suicide, but Jesus changed all that. He took this person from a broken addicted life to the pinnacles of success. This person has been responsible for leading thousands of people to the Lord. He has never gotten over being saved and I honor him for that.
These two men are great examples of someone recognizing and recalling with great gratitude where they came from and who was responsible for their salvation and prosperity. They are just following their Father’s example because the first extravagant giver was God the Father. He gave His only begotten Son! You cannot give anymore extravagantly than that.
We just encourage all of you today to be givers, especially to the works of the Lord. Jesus is the only one that can change hearts like those of these two men. If you have a ministry that is sowing the Word of God into your life then you need to support them. If you want a harvest, then sow into good ground. A smart farmer is not going to plant seed into a swamp or into a desert. He plants his seed in good ground and so should you. Everything that calls itself a church, and has a steeple, is not good ground. You need to know them by their fruit, not by their attendance. There are many great ministries out there that need your support. Find one and give extravagantly!
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
