I am forced to answer the question then in the negative. Now, is it possible that God will bless you financially if you obey the principle of sowing and reaping? Of course. He is God and can do whatever pleases Him. But here is the main point regarding this and there really is not way of getting around it. If you are asking that question then the answer must be no. If your concern is for God to bless you financially then the answer must be no. If you are handing your offering in while thinking how much you want in return than the answer must be no.
God does not do quid pro quo. He gives us the opportunity to worship Him in many ways and finances for the advancement of the kingdom of God is one. Do not sit under abusive pastors beloved. I saw one pastor claim that if you did not give first to him, instead of your rent or bills, then God would curse the rest of your money! I heard of another pastor who told a young couple they were not conceiving in their new marriage because they were not tithing right. I know of another pastor who removed people from the membership rolls because they were not tithing right according to him. No discussion - just removed. People there over 30 years, removed. These are just a sampling of stories told every day about a church that has lost its sense of direction. A church that has allowed too much leaven in unchecked. A church that has taken a sacred privilege to give and turned it into a sacrilegious right to receive.
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6: 28-34 (NIV)
Jesus uses clothes here to represent material needs but it just as easily could be money. We need to shift away from the modern church focus on materialism and get back to pursuing the kingdom of God above all else, trusting that all the things we used to worry about; He will give us as well. Not that we all become millionaires and rich as the world perceives wealth but rather rich in the things of God; wealthy and prosperous as God defines it. Not as man perverts it.
Reverend Anthony Wade - January 21, 2014
