Empowering Others Through Generosity: A Divine Directive
Deut 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
Our Lord said in Luke 10:7, "...for the labourer is worthy of his hire." How is it that many, on one hand, expect so much for so little from others, while on the other hand they expect the exact opposite for themselves? Here is the lesson: Enable others to profit from their efforts, and God will enable you to profit from yours. Conversely, if you disable others from profiting for their efforts, God will disable you from yours! I’m amazed at how many today are so selfish in their ambitions that the only one they're interested in seeing become a success is themselves! May it never be said of a servant of God!
We are not sent or called to be self-indulgent, greedy, heartless people who bring only curses and bondage upon others, while securing our own personal success. We are called to BLESS! Not convinced? Consider what Jesus said in Mat 5:44, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Now, if this is the treatment we are to offer our enemies, how much more should we treat the children of God with the same respect! "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Gal 6:10.
Paul was so convinced of this line of thinking that, to ensure that he was not a financial burden to his flock, he took a job as a tent maker, even when he admitted himself that he could have justifiably expected full compensation from the church for his efforts (see 1 Cor 9:14-18)! If our success is only at the detriment of others’ welfare, then God forbid that we succeed! If we will adopt this attitude, God will make sure that there's plenty to go around! God help us to be people that give more than we take, and do so with a willing and grateful heart! It's not what God wants to flow TO us, but what God wants to flow THROUGH us!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
Our Lord said in Luke 10:7, "...for the labourer is worthy of his hire." How is it that many, on one hand, expect so much for so little from others, while on the other hand they expect the exact opposite for themselves? Here is the lesson: Enable others to profit from their efforts, and God will enable you to profit from yours. Conversely, if you disable others from profiting for their efforts, God will disable you from yours! I’m amazed at how many today are so selfish in their ambitions that the only one they're interested in seeing become a success is themselves! May it never be said of a servant of God!
We are not sent or called to be self-indulgent, greedy, heartless people who bring only curses and bondage upon others, while securing our own personal success. We are called to BLESS! Not convinced? Consider what Jesus said in Mat 5:44, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Now, if this is the treatment we are to offer our enemies, how much more should we treat the children of God with the same respect! "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Gal 6:10.
Paul was so convinced of this line of thinking that, to ensure that he was not a financial burden to his flock, he took a job as a tent maker, even when he admitted himself that he could have justifiably expected full compensation from the church for his efforts (see 1 Cor 9:14-18)! If our success is only at the detriment of others’ welfare, then God forbid that we succeed! If we will adopt this attitude, God will make sure that there's plenty to go around! God help us to be people that give more than we take, and do so with a willing and grateful heart! It's not what God wants to flow TO us, but what God wants to flow THROUGH us!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill