Potent Investments In A Downward Economy (2)

5.       Offering. This issue of offering has eluded a lot their blessings. Most people offer money and other material things with the mind that they’re bringing their gifts to God. There was this young lady who once asked me in church back in 2008 where all the church offerings were going? She added that she had a strong feeling that the Shepherd of the Church was embezzling money and that she would never give offerings in church. She complained that she worked all night only for her to come and give to the Pastor who didn’t have a job. WOW! Was all I could say. When you give offerings in church or anywhere else with the mind of giving to the human figure in charge of that Church or Organization, you are done for. What the church does with your offering shouldn’t give you sleepless nights; instead you should be glad that your offering is before God as a sweet smelling savor that He will not ignore. Proverbs 3:9&10. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. What you do when you offer to God from what you have is that you honor God who in return honors you with overflowing blessings. Some may ask the difference between tithes and offering, tithe is a mandatory 10% off your income, no matter how little your income is, while; offering is a voluntary sacrifice that affords you an opportunity to commit God’s integrity to perform your behalf. The standard of offering is totally dependent on you but if I am to advice you, take the standard of offering from Cain and Abel in the bible, Genesis 4:3-5, In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. God accepted one while the other was rejected. Abel knew what was right and pleasing to God, he knew what was fit to honor God and did it, in return God favored him, while Cain brought what he would give to God with the mindset of giving to a human figure, he brought that which did not cost him anything and he gave himself to lack, want and depression because the presence of God had departed from him.

6.Investing in an Ethical Company. This kind comes by seeking the face of the all-knowing God who knows the beginning, end, works, growth and benefits of each Organization, through counseling. Proverbs 15:22. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. The point here is that God will never show you a company to invest in and years later you realize it was a mistake. Before you make plans to invest in any company, seek God’s advice before you consult any man. I remember an investment a friend of mine had years ago, she got the dividend once or twice and up until today, she cannot tell what happened to that investment as she cannot even get across to the Organization. Guess that is what happens when you decide to invest without seeking God but man. Verse 22b says many advisers bring success; one with God is majority, now you may want to ask, so besides God can’t I seek a financial adviser? Yes you can, but until God orders your steps to invest in the right place, you may never find the best financial adviser who would talk you into the right company, most time when God orders your steps; you may not need the help of any adviser. 1 Kings 18:22. Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. God did not leave him to remain alone, He showed up when Elijah sought Him against the prophets of Baal who would have done better in calling down their god as they were so many. This only explains that what so many financial advisers may tell you about certain investments because they will benefit one way or the other, (most times leaving you confused on which company to invest in); God is able to let you know without much effort and no confusion. 
 7. Be a Giver. God cannot be mocked, whatever any man sows, that he’ll surely reap. When you give with the right intentions, you’ll reap bountiful harvest but when you give with an ungodly intention, you’ll certainly reap a likely harvest. Proverbs 11:24&25,There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds  more than is right, But leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

I used to have this friend who always shared some of what she had with people who were really in need, I mean people she knew and strangers, in all these she never complained for one day, even though she didn’t have everything she needed. One thing I can testify about her today is that she never lacks, neither does she live wanting what she cannot afford. Several times, she ran into financial hardship but she never cried for finances because she knew she had made investment that would one way or the other return to her, she got financial gifts from strangers, long time friends, close pals, etc. This is one of the things that happen to people who give without the wrong intention. God knows and sees the heart of every man. How do you know when you’re giving with the wrong intention? When you give, do you expect something in return from that individual, e.g. position, sex, winning the person over to your side or judge a case in your favor, etc? Do you seek to be liked by the individual or earn the praises of the individual? Do you give because you want to lord yourself over those you’ve given? Do you give to seduce an individual? What you give to a certain individual, would you do it for another individual in similar position? These are questions that you should ask before you give out to anyone. When you give with the right intention, whether the person says “thank you” or not doesn’t really matter, what matters is that you gave it and you feel peace within you, whether you know the person or not doesn’t really matter, all you know is that you just touched a soul, you just made a soul thankful to God for a gift you gave and be sure that heaven will reward you for that gift.

Lastly, the eighth form of investment is totally dependent on you. I call it voluntary sacrifice. You can do it at your convenience, when you want to, whom you choose to, where you choose to, how you choose to. It is not compulsory, but it’s necessary in order to draw heaven’s attention. A giver they say never lacks because God loves a cheerful giver. Whatever you let God for God will be saved for you and whatever you keep for yourself knowing that there are outstretched hands waiting to be help by you, you’ll lose one way or the other. Matthew 8:35 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it”.

Of all these forms of Investments, it will be very difficult for you not to yield profit or see your dividend in the nearest future such that your children’s children will benefit from as long as they are done right, and with the best intentions. Solomon was wise enough to state that we should spread our investments just in case INVESTMENT A doesn’t yield its desired harvest, INVESTMENT B would….. You may be doing a great job investing in the church but not a great job investing in God’s instruments, you may be doing a great job investing in the life of a needy but not doing a good job investing in an ethical Organization, etc

It is my prayer that God will give you the heart to sparingly give and commit your resources to His service and as you invest with the right attitude, God will increase you in all ramifications of your life, here and beyond. AMEN!