"GOD'S PLAN FOR ABUNDANCE"

Good Evening To All!

Before I start my post, let me say I saw this picture and with all the hub-bub, arguing in the government about how to fix the economy, I don't think ANY PRESIDENT'S Economic Plan can beat the one God has for us, and HIS plan has been proven and re-proven time and again to be successful. That's more than I can say for our government's plans. Too bad we can't elect God as our President ( of course if our human President would actually ask God what He thinks and what he should do to turn our country around, then actually LISTEN to HIM, and do what HE says, we might see some good results.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38 KJV

I really like the way The Message Bible states this verse because most of the time when it is read from other versions, people take it to mean money. They usually associate it with tithes or offerings. The Message Bible gives it a clearer more broad meaning.

It says: "Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Luke 6:38 MSG

Tonight I am writing a portion of my post from the Hayford Bible Handbook. I want to discuss a "reciprocating relationship. The hand book used the title "The Law of Divine Reciprocity". There is actually eight parts to the section, but I will just elaborate on this one, at least at this time.

There is a universal law of divine reciprocity. You give; God gives in return. when you plant a seed, the ground yields a harvest. That is a reciprocal relationship. The ground can only give to you as you give to the ground. You put money in the bank, and the bank returns interest. that is reciprocity.

I really don't like the term "reciprocal relationship" because it seems so "impersonal" when the relationship with our loving Father should be the most personal relationship we will ever have, but at the same time, that is what it is. He says it plainly in His Word.

Why is it that people want something for nothing when it comes to the things of God? They know that it does not work that way in the world system, yet they always expect God to send them something when they have not invested in the kingdom of God.

If you are not investing your time, talent, commitment, and your money, why do you want something? How can you get something when you have not planted any seed? How can you expect God to honor your desire when you have not honored His command to give? Abundance begins with investment.

A good example is a high school football player who refuses to study, but expects his teacher to give him a passing grade just because he is on the football team. If he doesn't put the time in to study and learn the material, then he shouldn't be "handed a good grade on a silver platter". Everyone else has to earn their grades, so should the athletes.

Another example is to be given a promotion at a job because you cater to the boss even though your work is below par.

God should not be "expected to give you what you don't give Him. As the old song says "love is a two way street". We are good at spouting out that "golden rule", you know the one that says "do unto other as you would have them do unto you?" That is biblical by the way, it's just not worded with those exact words. Anyway, if we expect it from our "human counterparts", why shouldn't God expect it from us? After all, everything is His anyway. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Him, we wouldn't have what we have if it wasn't for Him. (I know what some of you might be thinking). I don't have much. Well back up and think again. There is ALWAYS someone worse off. Besides that, even the Bible says "ye have not because ye ASK not".

The more we invest into our relationship with God, the closer we will become, and the better our lives will be for it. He has blessed me in SO MANY WAYS since I got Serious about Him.

It kind of reminds me of having to have a job during high school. My dad said I could use his "old car" but I would have to pay for my own insurance and the upkeep on the car. In other words "I wasn't 'lucky enough' to have a dad that would hand me everything I wanted without me having to show some responsibility and pay something out of my pocket. It was a lesson in value. God, I feel expects the same. He wants to give us things, but we must show Him that we are making an effort.

We also wouldn't expect a total stranger to buy us thing, so why would we expect God to help us and give us things if we aren't even making the effort to get to know Him better by reading His Word and spending time in conversation with Him?

Yes, tithing is tied into all of this as well, but I want to be broad on this subject tonight. As I said earlier, God is the one who provided us with jobs and opportunities in the first place, so technically the money we make is His. All He is asking for is 10% and is allowing us to keep 90%. To me that sounds like a pretty good deal. Better than any bank! In His Word, He says if we don't pay tithes then we are robbing Him. Those are pretty strong words, so that tells me that tithing is NOT OPTIONAL. Also, if we will be faithful in our tithes to Him, then He will return it many, many times.

Goodness! I better get off the subject of tithing before I completely get off track. I was doing some more in depth research and found more interesting information about tithing, so I will leave that for another post.

The main idea that I want EVERYONE to take away from this post is that no matter what you give, be it time, effort, money or compassion, God will return it much, much more than you can imagine. YOU CANNOT OUTGIVE GOD.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!