Wisdom In Giving

Something of great concern among people in ministry who exercise spiritual gifts is the expectation to receive a financial seed from those whose lives they speak into.  Thanks to the affordability of social media over traditional broadcasting, there is an abundance of ministering personalities present on the Internet seeking platforms to share the Gospel and build their audiences.  But what's disturbing is that there are people daily hosting live streams--sometimes multiple times per day--encouraging people (who are mostly struggling financially) to give financially to the advancement of their ministry.

It is normally not the practice of From the Heart of a Worshipper to post about highly controversial matters.  But this topic deserves some air time because these kinds of activities lead believers and non-believers alike to feel apprehensive about giving.  It sends a very confusing message to the world about the instruments through which GOD speaks--that they are hustlers, swindlers, tricksters and schemers.  And as a result of this unseemly behavior, not only are generous-hearted people more skeptical about placing their hard-earned money into the hands of ministers.  There are genuine ministry gifts out here who are hesitant to make a request for funding out of fear that they will be lumped into the same category with those who repeatedly solicit financial support.

If you find yourself struggling in this area as a giver, then prayerfully this post will be an encouragement to you.  When it comes to releasing the money over which your Heavenly Father has given you stewardship, give as you are led by the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit.  Do not allow anyone to pressure you into giving, especially if you do not have it to give.  GOD expects you to manage your household well and pay your bills.  So, understand that it is not the challenging of your faith to give money that has already been budgeted for the maintenance of your household to a minister or ministry.

When ministering personalities abuse the generosity of believers, it robs people of the joy of giving.  It should be a joy to give, not a burden.  Let it be further noted that giving only benefits you when it's done in the right spirit.  Giving out of fear or giving forcibly out of compulsion IS NOT the desire of your Heavenly Father.  If Bible instructs us in Psalm 100:4 to "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise," then there should likewise be an exuberant spirit about giving.  It should not be equated to having teeth pulled.  When it does, something is wrong...

Now for clarity's sake, ministers are going to ask you to sow a financial seed because--as fundraisers--they understand that most people only give when they are asked.  Therefore, it is up to you to discern whether or not you should give. When you fail to exercise discernment, you become a prime candidate for being hustled.  So please understand the importance of developing your own prayer life.  You must learn to hear the Set Apart Spirit's voice for yourself.  Do not depend on ANYONE to hear Him for you.  Messiah made it possible for you to have a PERSONAL relationship with Him, which means He intends for you to interact with Him one-on-one via the Set Apart Spirit.

Regarding those wolves in sheep's clothing preying upon the weak-minded, know that the Word they share with you can indeed be accurate.  But what's their motive?  See, the motive behind the minister is just as important as their accuracy.  And only the Set Apart Spirit can reveal that to you!

No matter how accurate a prophetic Word may be, please avoid sowing your precious seed into bad soil.  All bad soil is designed to do is deceive you into repeatedly sowing seed into what will NEVER produce a harvest.  When it comes to giving, please exercise wisdom in your liberality. Yahweh gives seed to the sower because everything the sower needs to fulfill their purpose is in that seed. When sown into an environment rich enough to release the potential of the seed, it brings forth exponential increase (i.e. fruit). If your giving is yielding no fruit, then something may very well be wrong with the environment into which you have chosen to sow.