Inspiration
Growing in God
Jesus grew...Luke 2:52 Growth, it sounds like something difficult...
No matter where you are right now in your walk with God, there is room for growth. Sometimes you may feel the maturation process is slow and you aren't progressing at the pace some others appear to be.
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Never compare your growth with what appears to be growth or success in other believers. You should only use the Word of God as the measuring stick for your life. What may seem to maturity in other people could merely be an act.
The real test of your growth is not how you look in comparison to others, but how you measure up to the Word of God. There are some signs that reveal if we are growing or not...
Ask yourself these questions;
1. Am I reacting to the situations of life in the same manner as before I learned the Word on the subject? You may not measure up to what you expect to be one day, but you surely aren't the same person that you used to be... That's Growth!
2. Are others around me noticing that changes in my behavior are taking place, even if I haven't? Growth can be so subtle that others recognize qualities in you that are directly attributable to your meditating and acting on the Word... That's Growth!
3. Am I able to receive the Word without being offended at things that used to offend me? When we first hear the Word on a subject like tithing or living holy. The reaction can be negative at first until you begin to grow in the Word of God. Suddenly, the subjects that once Challenged you are now Changing you... That's Growth!
The wonderful thing about growing in favor with God is that it leads to favor with People. God causes others to show us favor when we are pleasing Him.
Proverbs 16:7 says that when my ways are pleasing to the Lord, He will cause even my enemies to be at peace with me.
Faith Confession: Father I thank you that I have your favor on my life and people are consistently good to me because of it. I increase daily through obedience to you and others are taking note, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Top 10 Reasons People Don’t Tithe
Tithing is a spiritual discipline many Christians practice. In its simplest form, it means giving back to God 10 percent of what you make. I’ve practiced it for years as a regular part of my giving. I tithe ‘plus’ to my local church and I give to other causes on top of that. However, throughout my 35 years of ministry I’ve seen 10 common reasons that church people give for not tithing. I list them below with a counterpoint below each.
It’s all mine anyway. Why should I give?
Counterpoint (CP): Everything we own is actually God’s (Ps 50.10, Ps 24.1).
I give elsewhere. This is the person who counts his giving to secular causes, his time or paying for his child’s Christian school tuition as his tithe.
CP: Do causes around the purposes of God get the lion’s share of your giving?
Tithing is not in the New Testament. This is one of the most common.
CP: When Jesus fulfilled the law, He didn’t revise spirituality downward.
God will provide through other people. This person believes that other people will give to support the cause of Christ in their church.
CP: God chose to release His resources through all believers.
My gifts don’t really count. This person thinks that because he can’t give much, his giving really doesn’t matter.
CP: Don’t minimize the size of any gift (recall the story of the poor widow in Mark 12.41-44).
I don’t trust preachers. This is understandable due to the few high profile ministers who misuse God’s money.
CP: If you lead a church, make sure you instill the highest standards of stewardship and accountability.
I only give to projects I like. This is the control freak who only gives to projects he or she can designate funds to. Some people in this category even hold back their giving in their church because they haven’t gotten their way.
CP: Trust your church leadership to wisely manage God’s money.
I have no control over my finances. My husband does. In this case (and it’s almost always a wife in this position) her husband controls the finances and although the wife wants to give, he prohibits it.
CP: Rest in the Lord, He knows your heart.
I will tithe when I can afford it.
CP: If you wait, you probably never will. Research shows that contrary to what we might assume, the more money a person makes, the less percentage they give.
I’m afraid to. These people honestly fear what might happen to them or their family if they give.
CP: Step out in faith knowing that God promises to meet your needs.
What reasons have you heard people use to justify not giving or tithing?