Last week, I updated my Facebook status by sharing my testimony of a how I took to heart the words of my churchs' Building Fund Confession as we gave our tithes and offerings and received a bonus in my paycheck that same week. I struggled with how much I was going to give because I was in my flesh about it, but I knew God was going to be faithful to me so I gave more than I intended to give. Now it hurt for a minute, but as I was sitting there with my tithes and offering in hand, I surrendered my will to God's and was at peace.
Well the next day at work, I saw a link online saying the performance awards would show up in our checks that week. I was not even expecting an award. I followed the link, looked for my name and there it was! I was praising God! That was Monday. Well Saturday I had gotten home from a birthday cookout and saw some mail for me that my mom sent in a plain envelope. I opened it thinking there was my final bill from the power company since I moved, but when I pulled it out it was actually a check!! (Hence, "and surprise checks in the mail.") It was in the exact amount of what I paid on my last bill, not to mention, I had a credit on the statement before that one! Don't know where that credit came from either.
Now just to give you a background on the "Building Fund Confession". Our building has been built since 2004, but this was something the congregation said during the tithes and offering part of service when we were in the building process. We continue because it is a prophetic word that we speak over our lives, and to continue to be faithful in our obedience in giving. I love this part of service because I get to worship God cheerfully and give him back what he's given me and more!
It's very easy to give when won't hurt or when you know you'll have more than enough left over, but when you give anyway, and you know it's gonna be a sacrifice, that's when God goes out of his way to pour out his blessings! Whether it be a breakthrough in your finances, healing, deliverance from past hurts emotionally and mentally, fruit of the spirit, relationships, whatever is going to help you to be a better steward over the life God has given you! He wants a close relationship with you just like you want to be as close to your wife, husband, significant other...Giving can build a foundation of faith, trust, obedience, and a stronger love for HIM as he reveals his will for your life. So as he pours out on you, you are that much more happy, eager and compassionate to give to others in need. I have seen it happen soooo many times in my own walk with God.
Luke 6:38 says "Give and it shall be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This was how they filled and measured your portion back then. A good measure was pressed down in the baskets to fit as much in as possible. They shook the basket to make more room and settle the wheat and then pressed more as it was added in, until it was practically running over. Don't you love it when they stuff as many french fries as can fit in the holder? Don't you love it when it's running over and there are so many that some fries are even in the bottom of the bag? Now don't you dislike it when you get a bag of chips that seems full, but has like 15 chips inside? Just "food" for thought! LoL!
Here is the Word of Faith Building Fund confession in its entirety, BE BLESSED!
Lord, we willingly, faithfully and cheerfully worship You with our giving through tithes and offerings.
We release our faith and finances so that ALL our ministry facilities will be built and our vision will be established in the Earth.
We believe that as we sow seend to establish the vision of Your house, You will also establish ours.
Therefore, as a result of our obedience in love and giving, we thank You for raises and increases, borrowed money to be returned to us, bonuses and increased commisions, rebates dividends, gifts and inheritances, cancelled debt, and surprise checks in the mail.
We bless You for blessing the health of our bodies, the sanity of our minds and the quality of our relationships.
We honor You for the divine favor that You bring to our lives!
In Jesus' name...
Amen
