Text: John 6:4-13
Memory verse:
“Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.” Psalms 114:8
Tithing connects you to God’s economy. The devil tells you that 100% income is not even enough for your needs, so you don’t have to short change yourself further by giving 10% tithe. In God’s economy, you give 10% and you still have enough; you even give more than you keep, that is, reverse tithing, yet you still have more than enough. How contrasting to the world’s economy! This is what Solomon meant here: “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.” (Prov 11:24 NLT).
In our text today, Philip, using human reasoning said, “Don’t you know that it would take almost a year’s wages just to buy only a little bread for each of these people?” (John 6:7 CEV). However, when a young boy gave all he had, that is, five loaves of bread and two fishers, it achieved what a year’s wages couldn’t do! It did more than barely placing a little bread in each person’s hand, the best a year’s wages would have done! The boy gave all to have twelve baskets in return. This is amazing! He moved from nothing to more than enough! God’s economy operates in the opposite direction to the world’s economy. For example, God gave out His only begotten Son to have many sons in return. Likewise, before exaltation is humility (Heb 2:10; 1 Pet 5:6).
God seems to work from things that are a bit backward. From nothing to something, from death to life, from loss to many and from humility to exaltation. This approach surely helps us to stretch our faith in God.
Tithing and sacrificial giving are the principles of God’s economy. The God who created the world from nothing and turned the hard rock into a pool of water, can turn the remaining after tithing to be more than enough for you. “He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.”
(Psa 114:8 NLT)
Friends, the just will always live by faith. So, determine to grow in faith and in the grace of giving. No faith giant ever became so in a day but through daily stretching of faith muscles.
Prayer points
1. Father, I am determined to grow, please I receive Your grace to stretch my faith muscles in Jesus name.
2. Father, wean me from the world’s economic principles to the principles of God’s economy in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. I don’t operate the principles of the world’s economy but of God’s economy in tithing and sacrificial giving.
2. I am a faithful tither and I believe in the God who brings surplus from insufficient