基督徒生活要旨預覽

The Lord’s Goodness & Blessing

Life Principle 23: You can never out give God.

It’s just a fact: You can never out give God.

The Old Testament prophet, Malachi, certainly believed this principle. Through him, God instructed the people to bring Him the full tithe and said, “‘Test Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows’” (Mal. 3:10).

To tithe is to give a percentage of our income to God for His work. All that we have is a gift from God; therefore, a tithe is a mere portion of what He’s already given to us. If we obey God’s Word and cheerfully give the portion He’s requested, He’ll bless us and the work of His kingdom.

Years ago, God led us to purchase property for the expansion of First Baptist Atlanta. We began to pray He would provide the funds we needed. I also prayed specifically that He would show me what He wanted me to give. I’d given financially but sensed there was something more He was requiring.

It wasn’t long before He began to impress upon me to give my camera equipment to the building fund. Now I love photography … it’s my favorite hobby. However, God’s conviction was strong and to the point. There was no way I wanted to avoid making the right decision. I knew my obedience would lead to blessing. If He wanted my cameras, I wanted to give them. After all, He owned them anyway.

A few days later, I sold my equipment and gave the money to the building fund. Many in our congregation also gave personal possessions and treasures. When it came time to sign the paperwork for our new property, we had the money we needed and did not have to borrow one copper penny.

Several months later, a woman rang my doorbell. As I opened the door, I noticed she had two large shopping bags. “Are you Charles Stanley?” she asked. I didn’t know what to think but replied, “Yes, I am.”

 “This is for you.” She set the bags down and walked away. I looked inside and immediately recognized my camera equipment! God had returned each lens and camera body to me. Is this the way He works? I believe it is. Many times, He tests us to see where our true devotion lies. Is it in “things” or in Him?

God challenges us to give Him the privilege to prove Himself and has promised to bless us in return (Prov. 3:9-10). The psalmist asked, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12). The question could be translated, “How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness toward me?”

The answer is, we can’t. No one can because no one will ever out give the Lord.