This particular title/thought for me has its roots in the experiences of
growing up in the church (in the south). It was a common practice in many
churches, during the offering time, to utilize the phrase(s) 'give until it hurts',
or 'bring up that last dollar', etc. While this phrase was and still is
theologically unsound, it was used quite effectively in the process of 'taking
up the offering'. It is amazing to me how leaders misuse their 'power and
authority' in the process of doing God's will. The giving of an offering is a
very disciplined way of expressing our love and appreciation for the Lord
Jesus Christ. Note though that giving the offering (and the tithe) is not the
only way we are to express our giving spirit. I personally feel that giving is
the essential nature of our walk with the Lord. The tone was set in scripture
when it stated that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
son"… A close examination of the Lord's walk on this earth would reveal
that it was a walk of giving. Jesus gave of his time and talents to the
people of God. Giving is a spirit that should internally and eternally
permeate our 'divine nature as well as our human nature'.
I do not advise you to 'give until it hurts' but rather I would inform you that
if you are a child of God and you are not a giver, it will hurt. The one that
would hurt the most is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It grieves the Holy
Spirit to know that his people are walking backward and not forward'. "Give
and it shall be given unto you, good measures, pressed down, shaken
together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom". Give until…
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Saturday, September 20th 2008 at 11:15AM
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