God will bless you if you give yourself.

1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)
22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

I was taught early in my church growth period that if I had a need I could sow a seed, give, and God would provide. I was to give both tithe (10%) and a “sacrificial” offering. I was also taught that fasting assisted in my being able to receive from God because it helped me hear from Him better.

Luke 6:38 (KJV)
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

I heard Luke 6:38 during many offering calls at the various churches I attended. At some point I started meditating on the latter part of that verse: “For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” What measure?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Of course the church leader would talk about “sowing” sparingly! But verse 7 talks about your attitude’ I submit to you that this is the measure in which you give.
YHWY does not force anyone to give! “ The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1 KJV) God does not need your money! Let me share one more verse with you:

Romans 8:28 (KJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

It is your love of God that leads Him to bless you. It is God’s plans that will lead to your needs being provided for, not our wants. I wrote in my e-book BROKEN’ AND NOT ASHAMED: God is not impressed with your giving. Let me expound on that thought: The money you give is not to impress the people but to help the needy, giving of your time is the true sacrifice.
God will bless you when you allow Jesus to actually be Lord of your life 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Written by Marsha L Floyd
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