AN INFALLIBLE BANKING SYSTEM

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6: 19-21)

Being generous is a way of making deposits in a heavenly “bank account” – not literal, of course, but ensuring that we are in on God’s economic system by sharing our resources with others. It is a faith partnership with Him built on trust and obedience. God works by giving back to us what we give away. In this way He gets the credit and we get the blessing!

There is no guarantee that our money is safe in an earthly bank or investment. We are subject to the economics of our country and of the world, and the unscrupulous people who manipulate it for their own ends. The only place where God guarantees a safe deposit and a theft-proof return is in the hands of the needy because He underwrites every investment we make.

Our hearts will always follow our treasure. If the bank in which we have invested our money crashed, we would be devastated, but not if it is a bank in which we have made no deposit. Similarly, if we have invested in a heavenly “bank account”, we will have a great interest and commitment to the place where we have put our money for safe-keeping.

Jesus’s counsel to develop an eye of light means to change our focus. The focus of the pagan is on looking after his own needs. Our focus must be on bringing God’s kingdom here by doing His will. He promised to take care of the rest.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6: 31-33)

When we do what we can to bring God’s rule into our environment, God does what He has pledged to do – He takes care of our physical needs. This comes with the package. It’s as simple as that.

Jesus did not only instruct us to give in order to get in on God’s supply. He said that the measure we use will determine the measure of God’s supply to us. God works reciprocally with everything. The measure we use to judge others will be the measure used against us. The measure of the mercy we show to others is the measure of mercy we will receive from God. If we refuse to forgive others, God will not forgive us. The measure we use to bless others will be the measure God uses to supply our needs. God is absolutely fair. His principle is:

So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. This sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matt. 7: 12)

Generosity is not about how little we can give to get by, but how much we can give to reflect the heart of God. God does everything in abundance. How many seeds would it take to grow an apple tree? Just one! How many seeds are there in all the apples on one tree? Many hundreds! Just one apple can produce a whole orchard of apple trees. God is generous!

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6: 38)

Jesus was interested in how, why and what people put into the offering boxes. He condemned the Pharisees for giving to be noticed, but He was not only watching them. He was also watching someone else – a poor widow who unobtrusively dropped her insignificant offering into the box. Just as much as He read the hearts of the Pharisees, He read her heart.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor woman has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.’ (Mark 12: 41-44)

Jesus, aren’t you being a bit insensitive? Didn’t you say that the left hand should not know what the right hand is doing? Jesus saw something different in the heart of the widow woman. He saw obedience, because God said that she must give. He also saw faith because she trusted God to meet her needs, otherwise she would not have given her last resource away. She got what she deserved, a commendation from the mouth of Jesus Himself and, most probably a return on her sacrifice in far greater abundance than what she gave away.

Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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