This is session 4 of the teachings entitled, The Miracle of Divine Provision. In this series of teachings our paradigms on giving are being radically altered through the Word of God. In previous sessions, Pastor Thamo referred to three biblically based case studies that demonstrate the requisite principles for divine provision. These were the Macedonian Church (2 Corinthians 8), the Shunammite woman (2 kings 4:8), and the woman with a small jar of oil (2 Kings 4:1). These scriptures demonstrate the creating of capacity for divine provision.
In today’s session, a few more principles are taught. The first is that the spirit of giving is related to the understanding of the gift of salvation. Our salvation is an expression of God’s generous giving. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, (John 3:16). The point that was being made is that if we understand what we have been saved from, and the enormous price that was paid for our salvation, then stinginess, frugality, and giving out of grudging obligation should not be seen among us. If God gave so generously so that we could be recipients of so great a salvation, then appreciation for our salvation out to be reciprocated through liberal and generous giving.
The second principle covered is that our giving should be an expression of agape love. The love of God cannot be limited, because the very essence of who God is, is love. We, therefore, as the Sons of God, who carry His nature must demonstrate the love of God through us. It is the type of love which propels us not to be selfish, disobedient, unfaithful, dishonest, fraudulent, stingy or frugal; all of which are so prevalent in the Church of Jesus Christ today.
Pastor Thamo then speaks about how our giving must be graced with elegance. Unfortunately, grudging obligation based giving stifles grace and giving then loses its elegance that God wants to see in our giving expressions.
Lastly, pastor Thamo teaches on how the scriptures use agricultural metaphors to demonstrate how the economy of how God operates. The parables of sowing and reaping, for example, is used widely in scripture to highlight the operational culture of the Kingdom of God. By adhering to these principles, and converting whatever we have into seed-bearing capacity, the conclusion is that even in the midst of an economic crisis in the world, the economy of the church will instead proliferate to a state beyond measure.
Please listen to, or watch all previous sessions, and join us for next weeks session in this paradigm shifting series of teachings that aims to move the church from legalistic giving to the spirit of giving.