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“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister
bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, …”
2 Corinthians 9:10

Have you ever watched the Judge Mathis show when someone sues their best friend, mama, or sister to get the money back that they loaned them? The best friend loans her friend $1,000.00 for her rent and cell phone bill. She tells her that she would pay it back when she got her income tax refund. January comes and goes, February comes and goes and so does her friend. Her first excuse, "Girl, I didn't file yet." Then she says, "I don't know what happened to the check." Then they go on the Judge Mathis Show. The best friend says, "I saw her in a in a new Gucci outfit with the purse to match. I asked her where is my money?" Judge Mathis ask, “Where is the girl's money, maam?” then she says, “Well, when my refund check came I had to pay some bills. I told her I have to still live. I told her I was going to pay her back when I got some money!”

I was shouting at the TV, “You shouldn't have bought that Gucci out fit and just paid that girl! That's not a need!” Suddenly a huge spiritual mirror appeared and I saw myself. “OMG! That was me!!” James 1:23-24

Someone had agreed to purchase my car for $2,500.00 in two weeks. I needed the money so I asked my sister, who without hesitation, gave it to me. The person never showed up and now I had to pay my sister back. I told my sister that I would pay it when I got my income tax refund. OMG! When I received the Tax Refund I paid my bills and I noticed I bought things like a blouse, pizza, went out to eat but still had not paid my sister her money back.

Isn't funny? I went to church and heard the word and maybe cringe a bit, but it wasn't until I saw Judge Mathis that I was convicted. I apologized to my sister, set up a payment plan and begin paying her back. I also asked her, “Please don't take me on the Judge Mathis show.” (smile) Let the church say Amen!
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Use Wisdom When Giving

As a Spiritual Gambler, anytime God asked, I would give to the church without any problem. The problem was, just because the Pastor, visiting preacher, or television evangelist spoke on giving an offering, God was not always calling me as one of the givers. I gave out of emotions, out of necessity, and out of a hope that I would get it back 2 Corinthians 9:7. Just like the Bingo game in the previous message, “Am I a Spiritual Gambler?”. Whenever the preacher would ask something like, “If you need a bill paid, just give God $50.00 today and God will pay that bill because you paid His.” I would write out the check and then wait for the water bill payment. When God did not call B$125.68 I became frustrated especially when someone would testify how they gave and God paid their bill. It felt like He called B$138.68 instead. (LOLl)

I was not the person who bought Gucci bags or clothes, I was the one who gave everything to God. Although that seemed good and right it was not wise and not what God asked of me.

“ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Isaiah 55:10

In his book, “Authority Abusers”, Bishop George G. Bloomer says, "As the rain gives seed to the sower", means seed is given for us to plant in the ministry; likewise, “bread to the eater” means the remainder of our income is to be disbursed within the home to meet our daily needs.” Some people give to the church, money that should be allotted for bills and the upkeep of the home; this explains why the money they give never yields a harvest."

God's word is true Numbers 23:19. Give and you shall receive Luke 6:38 and I believe we should live with expectancy of God giving us and taking care of us but not simply giving to get back Luke 6:35 My problem was, although I gave to the cause from my heart, I left wisdom out of the equation.

• Wisdom instructs us:
  Income - Count the cost Luke 14:28
  Prepare your offering 1 Corinthians 16:2
  Minus - Tithes/offering Malachi 3:10
  Minus - Savings Proverbs 21:20
  Minus - Bills/necessities Psalm 37:21
  Remainder - Seeds 2 Corinthians 9:10.

If prepared this way, when the minister says give, you will know if you are one of the givers God is speaking to. Whatever seed you give he promises to multiply so that you have more to give and more than enough to live by 2 Corinthians 9:8. I've heard it said that whenever you don't have enough it becomes your seed. Maybe, but ask the Lord to guide you to make sure it is God and not your flesh influenced by Satan to keep you broke. You might just be gambling spiritually with your bread just to get more.

I can't say what God won't do when He calls for a sacrifice, because I've heard of testimonies of people asked to give their all for the ministry, but wisdom says He is a God of integrity and His name is not associated with anyone who on a daily basis won't pay their bills or meet their obligations for any excuse. Psalm 37:21

God says, "_____________, (insert your name) I want so much for you to prosper in this land. Wisdom is calling today. Do not reject it. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

There was a time I would feel embarrassed if I did not have money to put in the offering. There were times when a friend, sitting next to me, would put one or two dollars in my hand so that I had an offering but I would feel bad. Now I know God gives bread to eat and when I don't have enough He will give me seed to sow, even if He has to put one or two dollars in my hand by a friend at offering time. Amen!
2 Corinthians 9:10

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