DCLM Higher Everyday 28 October 2023 — Giving To Gain
Topic: Giving To Gain
Text: Proverbs 11: 23-27
23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Key Verse: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” (Proverbs 11: 24).
Message
Oswald J. Smith said, “The only way to have more than enough to spare is to give God more than you can spare.” It is wonderful to give because by it you gain in various ways. Give to God or men and the gain is sure to come. Giving to gain is a sublime and divine law; it is the law of enterprise and business growth and above all, it is the law of faith. In love, God gave his only Son, Jesus Christ for the redemption of lost humanity and now He has many sons and daughters. What is withheld can never increase, multiply or grow.
Beloved, God requires that we sow if we must reap. Today’s memory verse states, “There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.’ Teachers learn more by teaching, so it is in other professions. Is there a service you can render at home, school or Church? Can you support the needy with anything? Do it without delay: The reward will come.
Quote: What is withheld can never increase
Challenge: Be faithful in giving to God and humanity.
Prayer for today: O God, give me the grace to give of my best to the Master.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
