© 2021 Chip Kawalsingh / Harvest City Church
The Bible often uses ‘seed’ as a metaphor for finances and giving as an act of worship. Think about those two things: worship and giving. Both are required by the Lord, for the Lord, and to the Lord. God is ready to receive from us and it’s within our God-given capacity to give to Him.
Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:1-2, NKJV)
As the inflation rate rises higher and energy prices soar, who do we rely on to supply our needs? The world’s economy? Well, if the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that we have no control! Everything is in Jesus’ hands and only God can meet our needs.
Scripture tells us that God has only good things for us: no stone for bread, or snake for fish. When we understand that God holds our future in the palms of His hands and begin giving to Him in faith and obedience it opens doors of miracles and blessings in our lives.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11, NIV)
Our giving is a seed that activates God’s miracles. Make no mistake, bringing whatever you promise to the Lord—whether worship or first fruits—will require faith and sacrifice to fulfil, but by putting God in first place, today’s obedience will be tomorrow’s miracle. Faith seeds always bring rewards.
For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV)
If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you! (Matthew 17:20, NIV)
When it comes to giving, we can slip into the trap of feeling like it’s a burden or a chore but Scripture tells us that God loves a cheerful giver, someone who delights at the very thought of giving. A happy and grateful giver gets God’s attention.
Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, NIV)
Giving is very much a heart attitude, and attitude determines your destiny (or miracle). Giving isn’t a matter of ticking boxes but an outflow of a thankful heart putting God in first place in your life. Our money is just a gift to us from a loving God, not something we’ve manifested from our own genius, and giving back to Him is a simple gesture of our gratitude.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)
3 KEYS TO THE SEED-FAITH PRINCIPLE (ORAL ROBERTS)
1. God is our source
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NKJV)
God will use many different instruments to supply our needs—jobs, doctors, friends, family—but He alone is the source.
2. Give first, so that it may be given back to you
Give, and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:38, NIV)
We must first step out and give that seed in faith so that God can multiply it back to meet our needs. Jesus is talking about giving in the deepest sense of the word—the giving of ourselves to God.
This includes anything we can give: love, time, patience, forgiveness, finances, prayer, and whatever else we may have. Our giving reflects our trust in God, and it links us to His inexhaustible resources for our every need.
3. Expect a miracle
Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24, NIV)
The moment we ask God for something—the moment we do our part and plant our seed of faith—we should believe God that the answer is on its way. It’s important to expect our miracle so we can recognise it and reach out to take it when it comes.
And it’s also important to remember that God controls the time and method He will use to give back to us. We must keep trusting Him and expecting our miracle, no matter how long it takes to reach us.
So give God something to work with today. No matter how little you think you have, sow it in joy and faith, knowing you are sowing seeds so you may reap miracles.
Remember: God always sends the right answer at the right time, in the right way. His timing and methods are always exactly right for our lives!
‘My God will supply all my needs.’ Do you believe that? Really? Ask yourself, what has God done for you? What has He blessed you with? God is looking for true worshippers and true givers. Make it your goal to cheerfully give to God everything that is due to Him.
The seed you plant today will determine what you harvest tomorrow. Take your seed, put it in His hands and watch Him multiply it into a fruit-filled harvest. God is for you! He has kept you this far, He will keep you to the end.
