Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“This is the consecrated portion of Aaron, and the consecrated portion of his sons, out of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister to Yahweh in the priest’s office; which Yahweh commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them. It is their portion forever throughout their generations”
(Leviticus 7:35-36)

“Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.“
(2 Corinthians 8:18-21)

The priests – especially Aaron and his sons – had a LOT to do. They didn’t have a portion of land to farm as crops. They didn’t have vast tracks of land to raise big herds of livestock. They had some when they got to the Land of Promise, but not enough to live off of. Not enough to supply food for themselves or their families – and no time to do it in. As such, they needed a way to survive. A way to provide food. They didn’t HAVE that way, so God BECAME their way. He instructed a system whereby the priests and tabernacle/Temple servants got provided for. They were taken care of by the system they stewarded. They had to look to God to move on people’s hearts so that they would give offerings to Him, and through the process of receiving and presenting those offerings, they were provided for.

The early church ALSO gave offerings. Offerings to those who had less. Who were being squeezed by the cities and regions they lived in. Those who were victims of drought and famine. But the church was widespread and could give from a region of much to a region of want. As those regions changed and flipped, the offerings and gifts could flow the other way. They were able to give generously and without expectation, not pressured by those collecting. They could give what the Lord suggested they give, what the Lord provided for them to give, and not feel want or lack or stress of any kind. When God is the source of your provision AND the source of your giving, EVERYTHING works out to give Him glory.

Summary

It is impossible to out-give God. You just try it sometime. God LOVES a cheerful giver. He LOVES someone who wants to bless other people. And He will NEVER let you go through lack when you are giving with right-motives. We are not to be bamboozled. We are not to be pressured. We are to give what we determine in our hearts is right and good and just to give because of what Holy Spirit speaks to us. It will always be something beneficial to who we give. It will never be something that causes us to experience lack. He provides for us providing. When He is our Source, there is ALWAYS enough to give other people, other ministries, and other projects.