To give is gain, and to only take will leave you wanting. “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 NKJV).
There are general rules in our economy on earth where we learn about how to operate. When supply is low, and demand is high, the price is sure to increase. We learn how to buy and sell to maximize our profit and to have more for our well-being here on earth.
Kingdom prosperity will be measured by what we take to heaven, not what we leave behind on earth. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19-20 NKJV).
But with God’s economy, the rules are different. The principles in the kingdom turn the ways of man on earth on their head. If we are to be effective for the kingdom, we need to learn the principles of the kingdom and how we should live our lives.
Your net worth on God’s economy has nothing to do with what you own. “…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV).
On earth, people in their flesh are self-centered. Their thoughts and their conversation generally center around themselves. They seek to gain the most regardless of the loss it may cause another. They gather and they grow and think themselves so wise in their earthly abundance.
In God’s economy, when you give, you gain. “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…and try Me now in this,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’” (Malachi 3:10 NKJV).
In the kingdom, people operating in the Spirit of God have little need for the things around them. Their focus is on the things of God and on the service that they might do for Him. They seek to give more than they gain, and their profit is stored up for them in heaven.
The only things you can take to heaven are those that you can pack inside your heart. “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.” (Matthew 6:19-21 TPT).
When we gain in the world, all we have will be gone in a short time. But when we store up in heaven, all we gain will be ours forever. The only things you can store up in heaven cannot be sold here on earth. These are the selfish deeds and the loving ways in which you treated one another.
To the degree you are not loving towards others, God is not in your life. “Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God” (1 John 4:7 CJB).
The more you pour out on earth, the more God will pour into your life. When your life is a vessel to God, it is a utensil through which He can operate. It is not so you can hold onto what He gives you, but so that you will pour out what He pours through you.
Givers always have plenty, and takers never have enough. “One who gives to the poor will never lack anything, But one who shuts his eyes will have many curses” (Proverbs 28:27 NASB).
In God’s economy, what we give has more value than what we have. When we are serving God, we are pleasing God and doing all He would have us do. You don’t have to do great things for God, only the things He has given you to do.
If you don’t know your calling, then just serve alongside somebody who does. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28 NKJV).
We mustn’t think in terms of money with God’s economy. In His economy, love is what has value, and love is what matters most. You can barely remember something someone gave to you a year ago, but you will remember for a lifetime how someone made you feel. Do you see the value?
The proof of our faith is revealed in how we treat those around us. Jesus taught, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT).
One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is a smile. When we are kind to someone, we are giving them something of great value for the kingdom. A gentle word is worth more than a heartless gift or a grudgingly donated item. Give genuinely or don’t give at all.
You have to pour out so that the Lord can pour in. “Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands—all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you” (Luke 6:38 GNT).
If you want to be rich in the kingdom, you must be selfless in the way you live your life. Think of others more and be a friend to those around you. Pray more for others than you do yourself, and then even in your prayers you will stand selfless before God.
If you only pray for yourself, then that says much about you. How off can we be that even in our prayers to God we could be so selfish? “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1 NKJV).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius