Give! ... Word of the Week

On Dec. 14, on For Real Radio Broadcast, Chief Apostle H. C. Gunn asked the question: “How do you give?”

He started the broadcast mentioning a need that he and his wife had concerning their vehicle, which was in the shop for repairs. Despite this need, God had been dealing with him concerning helping others, yet he heard nothing from God concerning his own need.

He remained focused on God's will and, as he consistently does for the saints, focused on who God was dealing with him about. Then there was a call from Apostle Chandra.

She told him God had their need on her heart. And as this story continues you will find an example we all need to see about giving. Chief Apostle Gunn told Apostle Chandra that he would pray concerning her doing what she enquired to do, and she agreed to do the same.

Not being a greedy Pastor, he said he told her he did not think God would want her to overstretch herself in her helping (because he was considering her own needs). You see, he didn’t let his need dictate what God told or showed him. He didn’t want the young Apostle to hurt herself in doing something for him if God did not allow for it. What Chief expressed is the genuine honesty and integrity he consistently displays as a Pastor. (Such honesty and integrity is befitting not only for pastors but also for the saints.)

But Apostle Chandra was adamant about her doing something to help the man of God. She then went on to list all the ways that she could work things to make it possible to do something on the behalf of Chief and his companion, Apostle Felicia. She set out to do what Chief Apostle Gunn and his wife have done so many times for countless others.

Chief said in taking the time to go over and list the ways she could help our leaders, she was “getting God on her side" through her willingness to aid a brother in Christ, a minister of the Word of God.” (As Chief says, God responds to our willingness.)

Unfortunately, some people often only take the time to itemize their problems to Chief Apostle Gunn and once he helps them or God answers their prayers they won't turn back in remembrance of what he has done. They won't turn back with gratitude and a willingness to also give.

But Apostle Chandra, through her willingness to give, itemized ways to help Chief in his need instead of finding reasons not to.

So, in this example, the question remains: “How do you give?”

Chief Apostle is known among the saints to say: “I don’t want one dime that’s not mine, but if it’s mine I want it." As he said, you want yours, you want what God has for you and you want what you may have earned, for example, you’re not gonna work all week and not expect your paycheck at the end of it. And we know that’s the truth!

He said that we as saints have “forgotten the practice that if we seek out a prophet or a leader” then we should have an offering prepared. He said that when it comes to blessing the leader or the church those same people who had the need won’t respond.

He said some are sitting down on their pastor, and sitting down on the family, coming to the table to eat everything, but don’t want to give or be accountable.

For years, Chief has lived a life of "sow it all" everywhere he has gone, as God has led him. He gave us the example of giving as shown in Genesis 18:1-8:

1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: 4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Here, Abraham opened the door to the miracles God would bestow upon him and Sarah through his willingness and his hospitality in giving God his best.

Chief then asked more questions: “Have you become stagnant in your giving? Have you stopped giving or are you holding back on your tithe? Are you planning to rob God again because it’s Christmas?” Are you getting ready to go into debt you cannot afford? Debt for two weeks that will take more than all year to repay?”

He said: We need to get these things straight as “giving is receiving," just as it says in Luke 6:38: "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."

Chief Apostle kept reiterating that giving is receiving. He said that “you never lose anything you give for God.” That's something we all ought to think about seriously.

Saints, we need to strive to give with a pure heart, to give in sincerity. We need to give, as the messenger showed us, without looking for what we can get.

Chief drove the point home from Acts 20:3: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

We all know John 3:16, but it’s as if we forget that God performed an action in that verse. He gave his only begotten son. We know God gave... and it’s the foundation of our beliefs. If there was no giving then there would be no Jesus, and without Jesus, we could not be saved. So, how much more should we give???

There's a sad truth that Chief brought up during the message: "If you want a quiet church, preach about giving and monies.”

He said we need to get it straight with the truth of the gospel! Church, it's not just about preaching...it’s a calling.

We need to remember that God is the Chief Giver. God is a compassionate giver, and forgiving is a part of his nature. Repent and give. God is calling for it.

“Jesus Loves A Cheerful Giver.”

Give!