GOD BLESSES GIVERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Ac 20:35 NIV 

At 53 years old, John D. Rockefeller earned about a million dollars a week. Unfortunately, he had stomach trouble and had to live on a boring diet of milk and crackers. Sleep eluded him as he constantly worried about his money. Solomon said, “As for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep” (Ecc 5:12 NIV). It seemed that Rockefeller’s days were numbered. But then he discovered one of the Bible’s secrets to success: “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing” (Pr 28:27 NIV). So he started pouring his money out to the needy. In turn, God poured health into his body. He improved dramatically, and he actually went on to live to the ripe old age of ninety-eight. The Bible says, “Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too” (Isa 58:10-11 TLB). Always keep in mind that even though your name is on the house deed or the bank account, God owns everything. He simply entrusts you with money that you are to manage for His glory. So when He moves your heart to give to someone in need or to a worthy cause, be quick to respond. God rewards obedience. He told His people, “Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God” (Dt12:28 NLT).