Serving the Lord by Serving One Another 2

Another way we serve one another in our service to the Lord, is by giving to one another.
 
Romans 15:25-26 says “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”

Ministering to the saints is meeting the needs of fellow believers....those around us.
 
If for example, you know and describe a brother by his tie or shoe (i.e. he wears it every Sunday) what is God telling you? Add to it. 


1Cor.16:15 says “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”
2Cor.9:1-2 says “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.”

These believers were giving not because they had, but because they understood the ministry of giving. They understood they were giving to Christ.

2Cor.8:1 – 4 says “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” 


Also as regards our spiritual leaders, God wants us to give to them (Heb.13:7), obey them (Heb.13:17) and honour them, Heb.13:24.
Obey them. Don't look at their size, age or gender. Do it as unto the Lord.
Not every pastor is your pastor. It is the pastor of where you sit and hear the Word of God that is your pastor.

When I'm giving to you, I'm not giving you so you can owe me. When I am giving to you I am giving to Christ. Don't look at people you give to with the hope of getting anything back from them. Know that you are giving to Christ.
How we know you have given to Christ is when those you give to do not give you back and you are not offended. If you are offended, it shows that in your mind, you were setting a trap. You wanted to catch something.
John the Baptist was initially praising Jesus, but he was put in prison and Jesus didn't come and visit him and he got offended.
Jesus said blessed are those who are not offended in me.

Don't give to people so you can own, manipulate and control them. That is witchcraft.
Witchcraft is a work of the flesh, Gal.5:20.
You don’t have to fly to be a witch. Real witches are human beings. When you are a manipulator you are practicing witchcraft.
For example, when someone’s file is in your hand and you are to promote the person, but you hold the person back, you are practicing witchcraft.
Giving people things so you can own them and manipulate them is witchcraft; but that is not who you are. When you give, you give like you are giving to the Lord.

Eph.5:1-2 says “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Love as Christ loves. Christ is the bench mark for our giving and walking in love.
We don't give out of law. We give to honour God.
You won't die if you don’t give your tithe. We give our tithes to honour God.
When we give to God in church, thanksgivings abound to God (2Cor.9:12) as the needs of many people are met because of your giving.
Imagine many people giving thanks to God because of you. What do you think God will do? He will cause more grace to abound to you.

In Romans 16:1-15, Paul was appreciating various people who had given to him and other believers. Their names are written in gold in the Bible forever.
When you give, God does not forget your labour of love forever. Whatever you do for a child of God is recorded by God.
Whenever we give to a fellow believer we are giving to Christ.

It is easier to give to people who you want a favour from or to people who you want your status to be raised before them.
But when it comes to people you cannot get anything from the story is usually different.
May we all learn from this and change.
When people come to you in need, don't tell them to go and pray. Don't also be naive but be sensitive. Know when God is bringing people your way so you can give and be a blessing to them.
Hebrews 13:2 says “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”


Rev. Wale Ajayi