Invest In God: The Watch Letter
When major companies launch they seek out investors to provide seed money to the company to help it execute its purpose and vision. Years later, after the company is officially up and running and flourishing, the investors can see millions upon millions of dollars returned to them, even if they didn't invest or seed millions into the company.
Investors put faith in these companies that they will be good stewards over their seed and soundly run the company so that it is prosperous. Some investors don't always come out on top. Whether through schemes or unplanned downfalls, some people never see the money they sowed into the company again. But they are still willing to muster up faith in the system to invest again.
How foolish are we, as God's children, that we are willing to risk everything to get more money or to obtain a status or what we want, but we are not willing to invest in God and trust him with our lives -- the very lives he created and gave to us, and spared through Jesus. Just like earthly children, we continue to overlook pouring back into our Father, because we value things of the world more than him.
Like our Pastor Chief Apostle H.C. Gunn always says, "you can't beat God giving." Do we really think that God, who created this universe and created gold, silver, jewels, oil, etc., would not take care of us if we invested our all in him and our resources?
Philippians 4:
"15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
In this scripture, Paul is encouraging the saints that sowed unto him and his ministry. He let them know that they were investing in God and partnering with God to do his work. Paul explains that he was not asking them to participate in his ministry through their giving for his sake (because he needed nothing with God as his supplier, provider, and boss ;), but he knew that they needed something.
Paul knew they had fruit that needed to be ripened and grown. He knew they needed to make some deposits into their heavenly account. He knew they needed to learn to trust God and to use what they had in their hands to express gratitude. And that is why I am so grateful for our pastor. He teaches us how to give to God. He keeps nothing for himself. Everything that comes in goes right back out to others, and that is why we need to support him as well.
When we invest in what God is doing and into whom God is doing it through, then we too can be presented before God with a sweet smell and please him with an acceptable sacrifice of ourselves. There are trips, shopping carts, vehicles, hairdos and haircuts, events, companions, family members, friends, entertainment activities, and the like that we have invested in freely and without question. I wonder how much of God's seed did we plant in those grounds that belonged to him? Those places and things do not produce fruit. But the household of faith does. The household of faith, the pastor, his companion, and the saints who labor among us, or fertile ground to sow in, yet we walk right past them. Of course, God does have things he wants us to enjoy and he wants us to look presentable and be able to see the fruits of our labor, but not at the cost of us robbing him and disregarding the things and people who he has set apart for his work that need our support.
Chief Apostle Gunn has always taught us that "when in need sow a seed." Each one of us is in need. We need help with our unruly children. We need guidance in our next life decision. We need an on-time blessing to meet a deadline. We need healing in our bodies and deliverances from the issues that have dwelt in us from our past and childhood. We need strength to endure and courage to stand. We need revival in our homes and marriages. We need understanding and wisdom. We need protection and security. We need so much.
So how can the needy be so greedy? We can have none of what we need without God's help and the people who are working on his behalf, so it's time we sow our seeds on good ground and let God handle our needs. Nothing you are holding on to financially can solve your concern, help your children, fix your marriage, advance your career, heal your body, or change your life as God can. God is supreme and can do and change anything. Nothing is too hard for him, so why would we not trust him. We spend money every day that says on it "In God We Trust" but we don't care about that or believe that.
We pay the doctor. We pay the landlord. We pay the light bill company. We pay Amazon. We pay the beauty shop. We pay Nike and Adidas. We pay the Game Stop. We pay Fun Station. We pay Netflix. We pay the gas station owner. We pay McDonald's. We pay ChowTime. And they don't give us anything more than what we purchase in return. But God goes above and beyond to reinvest in us.
Ephesians 3:20: "Now unto him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
That is the key. God has already empowered us to receive more than we can ever imagine from him. Not just financially, but spiritually, health-wise, family-wise, etc. But we've got to turn on the power switch by showing God we can trust him with our money, which is actually his money because he allowed it to be created and even the paper they use to print it was made by him. We can turn on the power switch by laying aside our way, our wants, our demands, our selfishness, and pride, and simply invest in God because we want his vision and plan to come forward just like an investor does.
Last week, Chief Apostle Gunn advised us that God wanted us (and I believe that is not just us here in Blountstown, but everyone who is reached by this ministry and professes to love the Lord) to sow into the plan of God and the Kingdom work he is doing and building in Stanly, California, a place where he has led Chief Apostle to bring our ministry. It will be a land of promise and of healing, help, deliverance, and truth for people in need of God's word and his presence. Show God you are willing to invest in him and trust him with all you have by sowing a seed today! You know where God has been nudging you to invest. Don't look at what you won't have but what will be added to you and what you are building with your investment in the place that matters most - the Kingdom of God. Pray and let God tell you what to sow. Don't hold back. Move in willingness. And if you are unsure, move by faith and sow what comes to your mind that is sincere.
Matthew 6:20: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
You can sow your seeds toward the work in Stanly here. Please consider sending your seed by Friday, June 10.
Take a moment to listen to 2017 broadcast messages: Sow Your Way Out Pt. 1 and Sow Your Way Out Pt. 2.
Here are the links:
Amen Apostle Kanya...giving is receiving & when you sow (invest) into the things and people of God, you can't lose!!!! I am a living witness to how sowing makes a way out of no way when it spouts...it doesn't always come back the same way you sowed, but it takes the form of your need!!!! Thank God for this Blog & I want to encourage everyone that reads this Blog entry to sow!!!!