GOD'S RESPONSES TO A SPIRIT-CONTROLLED GIVER

Read 1 Kings 17:8-24

MEMORISE: And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord." Then they would go to their own home (1 Samuel 2:20)

EXPOSITION

Whenever God has a burden in His heart, He looks for people He can use to meet it. For instance, giving to the poor is bringing solution to a particular burden in God's heart. God created the rich and the poor. If you are rich in your own capacity, you are blessed to meet the needs of the poor, for God's sake (Deut. 15:11). The Scripture says, 'He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given' (Prov. 19:17).

When Hannah asked God for the fruit of the womb, she gave two specifications which would bring solution to the immediate burden in God's heart. She asked for a male child who would stand before Yahweh throughout his lifetime. Meanwhile, God was looking for a priest (a man) who would replace Eli's dynasty that had been disqualified for carefreeness and breaking of the priesthood covenant terms (1 Sam. 2:30). God had to give Hannah five more children, added to the fact that Samuel was still to her credit, all for giving Samuel back to Him to meet His own burden (1 Sam. 2:21).

Learn to ask for the directive of the Holy Spirit, and also be sensitive enough to know when to give, what to give, how to give, and who to give, at a particular time. If you allow the Holy Spirit to control you in your acts of giving, God will always bless you in return. 'Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him'. (Rom. 11:35). And, 'There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself' *(Prov. 11:24-25).

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, let me be guided by Your Spirit, to give to the glory of your holy name.

2. Lord, sharpen my sensitivity to know when, what, how and who to give, at every point and in all situations.

3. Lord, help Your church to desist from self-centredness and stinginess, in Jesus' name.

EXTRA READING: Numbers 14 & Luke 22

Remain blessed!