I started my adult life living in the woods and eating out of dumpsters. I worked my way to upper middle class in just 20 short years. As a result of my Christian brainwashing and loving nature I have always been a huge giver. Homeless, abandoned animals, overburdened families, whatever.. I am always giving, even when I dont have it to give. Now I have absolutely next to nothing, i goto bed hungry, wake up hungrier, have nothing but still when someone asks I give.
I know what the Bible says about giving but it has never come back to me. All the love I gave and the forgiveness I showed only have brought me a lot of heartache, pain, and loss. Now that I truly understand none of God’s blessings are promised until after we die. It makes me kind of feel like a super nice suicide bomber.
In this dark kingdom I dwell in love and kindness are rewarded only with evil deeds. So how do I conform to this world I hate so much. If God never shows up what do I do?
One thing this prison truly showed me about life is happiness is not found in getting what you want it is found in realizing what you have.
Don’t stop. Not because it is commanded, but out of love. The whole reason for giving is the things you laid out.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts.”
Stop. That is the reason. We should be giving to the local church so that it can feed to hungry, clothe the naked, and so on. This next part has been twisted.
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you [such] blessing That [there will] not [be room] enough [to receive it].” Malachi 3:3:10
God is not an ATM. He is not a lottery ticket. The Prosperity Gospel is a lie straight from the evil one. However, look what we are told to do in the Word.
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4:28
Read that again. “Let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Say “so that.” To give. We should be working for the betterment of others. We should be striving to be blessed so that we may bless others. Jesus puts it this way.
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:27
Life is not about working for someone else to pay bills and struggle to survive. This is not life. Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
Jesus gave us the story of the rich man and his barns. Luke 12:15-21 Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
This is your 401 E or your eternal “retirement fund.” Offerings, serving others. Sacrifices we make daily. Sharing the Gospel. Why?
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”