7 Keys to Finding Treasures that Truly Count: #CHURCHDNA 7

[Translation: [French | Italian | Spanish]

Hello friends! In this part 7 of Church DNA series the Holy Spirit has led me to share on giving and generosity in the Church.

We live in a world in which realization is measured by one’s wealth, or treasures. People lay up treasures for themselves in this world, thus showing where their heart truly is.

But the treasures we hoard here on earth consist more in the affections of the heart than in what one can hold in his hands.

So, the question to all of us is:

Where’s your heart?

“Where your heart is there your treasure will be.” (Matthew 6:19)

Jesus was cautioning against the improper value that we place on the treasures. It is our affection to these treasures that give them wrong values. The problem comes when you take your eyes away from Jesus and set your heart on the materialistic success: you’d lose it all.

Don’t let your heart be married to the treasures on earth.

What does the Bible say about godly treasures?

The apostle Paul gives a clear explanation of the right kind of treasures in I Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

The key question is: What treasures are you choosing?

7 Keys to Understanding the Principle of Giving

Key#1. Generosity breaks the cycle of hurt

It has been said that “Hurting people hurt people.” Only an encounter with the spirit of generosity can break the cycle of hurt.

Generosity shifts your focus toward helping those in need. For those who give joyfully and freely God will provide all that they need to continue blessing others with their generosity.

The person who is generous toward those in need is compared to the farmer who scatters his seed while sowing. What you sow is what you reap. The more you give the more you will reap!

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest” (Genesis 8:22).

Key#2. We give because He first gave us

Do you realize that all we have is God’s? Once you realize that, then the question becomes one of Christian stewardship. What are we going to do with our treasures? The simple point is: We have been given, so we can give to Godly causes.

Stop looking for security from your money, or anyone or anything else that’s not God Himself. Discover God as your comforter to overcome fears of financial uncertainty. Be bold and generous!

Key#3. God doesn’t measure an offering in terms of cost but in terms of sacrifice 

In order to attain something you believe is of greater value, you must give up something you believe is of a genuine value to you. The higher the sacrifice the higher the value.

Abraham was the father of nations yet he was ready to sacrifice his only son; it was counted to him as righteousness.

Another example of sacrifice is the story of the widow’s offering in the New Testament: ““Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”” (Mark 12:41-44)

Key#4. Tithing tests the limits of our trust in God

God has given us the principle of tithing to test our hearts. It’s easy to give when everything’s going well.  However, when it is difficult to tithe and give to the Lord it tests our hearts.

Can you trust God to take care of you even when it looks impossible to tithe in the natural?

Key#5. Real value is in those things that cannot be left behind.

Everything of this world fades away, along with all those treasures that people store for themselves. When we pass to glory we won’t be able to take anything with us.
What’s really of value to God is souls. Even one soul saved is worth more than all the treasures in this world.

Nothing touches God’s heart like seeing souls saved (Luke 15:10).

The Bible says: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

We must invest into souls coming into the kingdom of God.

Key#6. The value of wealth is based on whose hands it is in. 

Honor God by letting Him decide how you use your wealth. When you partner with God the value of your wealth will increase.

How about putting your wealth into the hands of Jesus today?

 Key#7. Remember the Provider 

God requires us to give back to Him what He first gave us. Remember: God and not our wealth is our provider.

When you come into the presence of God don’t come empty handed. We go to church to worship God, and that’s done by giving. Practice sacrificial giving.

Let this be your prayer today:
Father God, give me the grace to break the fear of financial insecurity in my life.

And declare this:
I will walk in the fullness of God’s blessings over my life and finances.