The Importance of Repentance

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offences; then sin will not be your downfall.”

(Ezekiel 18:30 - New International Version)

"'The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

(Mark 1:15 - New International Version)

The modern secular world is almost exclusively centered on the self. If you look on any online book store, the amount of self-improvement books outnumbers almost any other category.

As of today, on Amazon, there are 343,407 books listed when you search for “self-help”

There is a selfishness which is pervasive within many areas of society, where morals and integrity are easily set aside as long as people are able to “get theirs”. By this, I mean what people believe they are owed by society, or deserve from society, whether or not their perception of being deserving is true.

The concept of repentance is a polar opposite of this secular selfishness. Repentance is all about turning away from oneself, sacrificing oneself and looking towards God. It is the sincere and heartfelt desire to turn away from selfish worldly desires and instead accept that God has a plan for us which is so much better than any we could devise.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8-9 - New International Version)

Our salvation cannot come from ourselves. Faith in God is the requirement. There is nothing we can do to ensure our eternal life in Heaven except to choose to repent and ask God for the gift of forgiveness. In writing “Not from yourselves,” Paul clearly shows that an inward turning and focus on the self will not save us. It is turning away from the self and our desires and towards God that brings salvation.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”

(Matthew 16:24 - New International Version)

This denial of self is vital in repentance; it is the accepting of the need to turn away from earthly desires which do not match the principles of a Christ-like life. It should come from within, but should also be visible outwardly. Carrying the cross was a very visible outward sign of Christ’s faith in His Father and the plan for salvation of mankind. In telling us to take up our crosses, Jesus is imparting the idea that we should be visible outwardly as His followers – our lives should be a visible example of repentance and self-denial, as this will show the importance and love of Jesus to those around us. The selflessness and denial of repentance is a powerful witness to those who don’t know God as it goes so clearly against the grain of much of modern life.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

(2 Corinthians 7:10 - New International Version)

Repentance is not the same as feeling guilty. The vast majority of people follow the rules of society, avoid breaking the law and try not to hurt others, as this is their expectation of what a ‘good person’ does. When they fall short of these ideals they will feel a sense of sorrow and guilt, but it is not the same as true repentance. When we repent we should not just feel sorrow. Instead there should also be hope and determination. The hope that we find in the forgiveness we receive through Jesus, and a determination to lead lives that do not lead us to further sin. Judas felt worldly sorrow when he sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. However, he did not repent and because of this did not receive salvation.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

(1 Peter 3:12 - New International Version)

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.”

(John 9:31 - New International Version)

Repentance is also not a one-time deal…it is an ongoing process. We have to recognise that, despite our best efforts and good intentions, we will sin from time to time. Fortunately God’s supply of forgiveness is more plentiful than our seemingly inexhaustible sources of sin!

“Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations”

(from Luke 24:47 - New International Version)

Therefore, it’s important to be vigilant and avoid sinful words, thoughts and deeds, but more important to recognise when we fall and do something about it. That something is to repent. Again, it is a turning away from sin, towards God, and the recognition that we are not strong enough alone. We need Him. Sin is bad, but even worse is to sin and not repent. God will ALWAYS forgive. We must ensure that we encourage others to repent and turn to Christ…it is part of the great commission and the most important choice they will ever make in their whole lives.

One of the defining characteristics of true repentance is the way that it comes through love, rather than fear. When we repent it should be because we love God and do not want to do things that trouble Him. When we know a loved one is hurt by something we do, we try not to do that thing as we love then and want to avoid them being upset. Therefore, because we know that God detests sin we should be determined not to sin because of our love for Him. Those who only fear the consequence of sin are being self-centred; they don’t turn towards God and repentance - they don’t regret the sin, they regret being caught.

"He, who truly repents, is chiefly sorry for his sins. He, whose repentance is spurious, is chiefly concerned for their consequences. The former chiefly regrets that he has done evil; the latter that he has incurred evil. One sorely laments that he deserves punishment; the other that he must suffer punishment. One approves of the Law which condemns him; the other thinks he is hardly treated, and that the Law is rigorous. To the sincere penitent, sin appears exceeding sinful; to him who sorrows after a worldly sort, sin, in some form, appears pleasant. He regrets that it is forbidden. One says it is an evil and bitter thing to sin against God, even if no punishment followed. The other sees little evil in transgression if there were no painful consequences sure to follow."

Dr. William S. Plumer (1802-1880)

What is The Holy Trinity?

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

(2 Corinthians 13:14 - New International Version)

One of the hardest aspects of the Christian faith is understanding the concept of the Holy Trinity. The word “trinity” itself is derived from this Holy triumvirate and literally means the three persons of God: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The problem for humankind in understanding the Trinity is that it defies logical understanding, as there is nothing else in all of creation which can be used to make a 'perfect' and 'easy to understand' comparison.

Understanding the Trinity requires a leap of faith and thinking, trusting that what God, Jesus and the Apostles all said is true, even when it is hard to fully comprehend. We also need to recognise that the mind of God is far above our understanding.

“For, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 2:16 - New International Version)

“Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counsellor?”

(Isaiah 40:13 - New International Version)

The Bible is an account of and a revelation of God and God has NO LIMITS, unlike us. When we recognize this limitless nature of God we have to accept that we are going to come across concepts which we will find hard to grasp. We are dealing with an all-powerful God who exists in all places and at all times. This is not a cop-out or excuse, but an admission that God’s workings are not something we can always fully understand; we simply aren't as clever as He is!

Three and One – One and Three

The difficult part is understanding that the Trinity are three separate entities, with distinct and separate characters, yet are all part of one being (God) at the same time. This is not a form of multiple personality disorder, which some people jokingly dismiss it as in order to belittle Christian beliefs. Instead, the Trinity is a demonstration of the omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence of God, that He can divide Himself into three distinct, yet inherently linked, parts which form a coherent whole.

“A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.”
(Galatians 3:20 - New International Version)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”

(1 Timothy 2:5 - New International Version)

For example, in Galatians and 1 Timothy Jesus is referred to as a mediator, but as can be seen, although Jesus is an individual being, having individual characteristics and this specific mediation role, He remains part of one God. The trinity exists as three separate persons, yet with the same divine will, plan and abilities. Each one, despite having different roles, has the same essence and nature.

Jesus, in the way He spoke of the Trinity, identified its separate parts. In John 14 Jesus reveals to the Apostles that He will pray to His Father and ask for the Holy Spirit to come to them and live in them. Jesus also acknowledged that humankind would find the whole concept of the Holy Spirit, and therefore the Trinity, pretty complex and so many would reject it.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

(John 14:16-17 - New International Version)

Jesus was not praying to Himself, he was praying to the Father. In speaking of the Spirit, Jesus was not talking about Himself. This shows the separate entities of the Trinity.

Those who choose to believe in God feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and therefore are better able to accept the Trinity, despite (and maybe even because of) its complex nature. Why do I say because of? Perhaps it is because I see this complex tripartite nature as a revelation of God’s awesome power. My view is that there are so many things in the universe which humankind doesn't understand, but we don't deny them just because we don't understand them and we can marvel at them nonetheless.

A Quick Illustration

A simplistic way of thinking about the Trinity is in a similar way to the covenant of marriage, as it's described in the Bible. The man and woman, despite being two separate and distinct beings, become “one flesh” and from that moment on exist as a single entity with two parts.

The Trinity functions in a similar, but far more powerful and fundamentally linked way, where the three separate parts are ONE GOD.

The Father IS God

"So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 15:6 - New International Version)

Paul clearly identifies that God and Father are one entity. The first century Christian writers all acknowledged that the Father is God. Jesus calls the Father our "heavenly Father" in reference to Him being God.

“One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

(Ephesians 4:6 - New International Version)

This verse from Ephesians is just one of the many reiterations of this point, that the Father is God and God is the Father. 

Jesus IS God

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

(Deuteronomy 6:4 - New International Version)

“I and the Father are one.”

(John 10:30 - New International Version)

Jesus makes it very clear in this statement in John 10:30, as He does many other times, that whilst being a man and living among His people, He is always God. He is in a flesh and blood bodily form, but at the same time, He is God. He is the part of God which became flesh and blood, living and dying as a man to fulfil the plan of the redemption of sin. Again, Jesus separates His identity from that of His Father, identifying them as separate parts of the Trinity which comprise God.

The Holy Spirit IS God

“As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”

(Matthew 3:16 - New International Version)

When writing his account of Jesus’ baptism Matthew referred to the Holy Spirit with a capital S, making it clear that the Spirit is a separate entity as well as being part of God. If the Spirit were not a separate entity then Matthew would have used ‘spirit’ with a lower case s. It is not a grammatical slip or typographical error; it is a considered linguistic choice used to make a deliberate point.

The ‘Mathematics of the Trinity’

Finally, for those of you who prefer mathematics, a way of thinking about the Trinity which I’ve seen (and that makes complete sense to me) is this:

It isn’t:  1(God) + 1(Jesus) + 1(Spirit) = 3(Trinity)

It is:       1(God) x 1(Jesus) x 1(Spirit) = 1(Trinity)

Who is the Holy Spirit?

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

(Acts 2:1-4 - New International Version)

Not just a force or feeling

Something that needs to be understood is that the Holy Spirit has a personality. The Holy Spirit is not a simple conduit for God’s power or way of channeling God. The Holy Spirit is a being in His own right. This can be seen through scripture as the Spirit demonstrates aspects of having character. The Spirit feels emotions, thinks for himself and has a will of his own.

MIND - “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:27 - New International Version)

EMOTIONS – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30 - New International Version)

WILL – “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:11 - New International Version)

Again, it is also important to note the personhood denoted in the use of the pronoun “he”. The Spirit is one of the Trinity: God – Christ – Spirit. He is part of God, yet separate from God, in a similar way to how Jesus was part of God, yet separate.

The Holy Spirit IS God

The Spirit is not just a bolt-on to the Christian experience that brings us gifts; the Spirit shares the same powers and attributes of God, just as Jesus did as God made flesh in the form of man. He is a part of God, a person in the trinity. Peter clearly knew this and referred to it in the following Scripture. In lying to the Holy Spirit, Ananias was lying TO GOD. This shows that God and the Holy Spirit are one and the same, as parts of the trinity.

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’”

(Acts 5:3-4 - New International Version - UK)

The Holy Spirit is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent…just like God…because he is a part of God. When the Holy Spirit comes to live in you, when you give your life to God, you quite literally have a part of God Himself living inside you. How incredible is that!

God’s Spirit lives in Christians –“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11 - New International Version)

In doing so, in living within those who believe, the Holy Spirit brings us life from God which is far greater than the life we have through our weak, limited and ultimately destined to die, flesh and blood.

The Spirit gives us life – “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life. “(John 6:63 - New International Version)

God is the only holy being in any world religion that does this. No other religion tells its followers that the one being worshipped will come and live in those who worship. Only God does this, through His Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, having given our lives to Christ, we are guaranteed ETERNAL LIFE in the presence of God.

What does the Holy Spirit do?

After the resurrection Jesus ascended to Heaven, God did not leave His people alone, without assistance. God knew that we could not do His will alone, that we would need to be guided and supported in our lives as we spread the word of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus told the Apostles that the Holy Spirit would come once He had departed.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

(John 14:26 - New International Version)

So the Holy Spirit brings new teaching, reminds us of what Jesus taught, and is an advocate for us. Again the use of the word advocate is well chosen, as it means ‘a person who supports’.  Again this shows the personhood of the Holy Spirit, as well as defining what the Spirit would do.

The Spirit supports us when we are weak and responds to our prayers - “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26 - New International Version)

The Holy Spirit also teaches us how to live. When we live spirit filled lives the world, and the desires it encourages in people, no longer have power over us. The Holy Spirit helps us to follow the will of God, not the will of the world. Jesus’ sacrifice, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, means that we are no longer held subject to all of the laws from the Old Testament. We no longer need to make animal sacrifices as atonement for what we do wrong…Jesus paid for it all. There were so many rituals and rules which Old Testament believers had to follow as they did not have Jesus to turn to for forgiveness. We are very fortunate that our lives are no longer bound by such laws.

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

(Galatians 5:16-18 - New International Version)

A Generous Guest

The Holy Spirit, as an advocate (supporter), also brings us gifts from God so that we can be successful in the Great Commission to spread the Good News of Christ. These gifts are given according to the decision that the Holy Spirit makes, again showing his personhood, using the wisdom that comes from being part of God to decide which is best for each person and in each situation.

“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

(1 Corinthians 12:8-11 - New International Version)

The Holy Spirit wants to live in us all…what we need to do is dedicate our lives to Christ and invite Him in.

Does the enemy exist?

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”

(Ephesians 2:1-2 - New International Version)

Camouflage – hiding in plain sight

It is often said that the devil’s greatest trick is to make people believe he doesn’t exist. The whole concept of the enemy has been changed by society into a little red horned man with goaty legs – a figure of fun and a joke. This is exactly what the enemy wants. It is impossible to fight an enemy if we don’t even acknowledge that he truly exists. The enemy has used his power and influence, over many thousands of years, to create this situation where people don’t believe he is real. It makes it easier for him to sneak into people’s lives and corrupt them.

Jesus acknowledged the existence of the enemy and met the enemy in person while spending time out in the wilderness prior to His sacrifice for our sins. The enemy tried to tempt Jesus in much the same way the enemy tempts each of us, with quick-fix offers of worldly power, goods and acclaim.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Matthew 4:1 - New International Version)

Jesus resisted these temptations, but they are not just a story. Matthew would have known of this through conversation with Jesus. When Jesus returned from this period of isolation He would have shared His experiences with His followers, as they serve to edify and strengthen. They are an example of how we must resist the temptations of quick-fix worldly power, goods and acclaim, as they can lead us away from God and towards the enemy. God does bless us with gifts, but these are earned or given freely to benefit us, not placed before us to make us test or turn aside from God, as the enemy wishes.

The enemy IS a real individual

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’”

(Job 1:8 - New International Version)

Another part of the trick of the enemy in making us believe he does not exist is the way that some people explain that he is just a manifestation of the concept of evil, a character created by the church to explain away bad things that happen. This simply isn’t true. The enemy is a real being, an individual, and has a name. This use of a personal pronoun by God shows that the enemy is a created individual being, not a concept, capable of thought, word and deed. The devil is described on many occasions as having characteristics that indicate clearly that he is an individual ‘person’. A concept is not capable of having character or displaying characteristics in actions, speech and thought processes.

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the snake’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 11:3 - New International Version)

An obvious way of being led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ is to leave ourselves wide open to attack, temptation and destruction by the enemy through refusing to believe he exists. We must always remember that the enemy is a fallen angel whose prideful plan was to overthrow God and take over His creation.

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

(Isaiah 14:12-14 - New International Version)

The enemy does not want the same things as God. The enemy does not want a relationship with us; the enemy wants us as fallen souls, slaves and objects of torture. The name Satan comes from the Hebrew for adversary and that is exactly what the enemy is: the adversary of all good things. The enemy stands ready to accuse us when we stray from a Christ-like life and to tempt us to take the wrong path.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.”

(Zechariah 3:1 - New International Version)

The enemy was an adversary of God’s plan right from the beginning. In tempting Eve and Adam he caused the brokenness we suffer with in the world today. This is something to remember when we question why bad things happen in the world, such as natural disasters. The enemy rules the Earth right now due to the fall. It is the enemy who broke perfection, brought sin into the world and in doing so created opportunity for disasters. God’s perfect plan was spoiled by the evil intent of the enemy.  Where God forgives the enemy accuses, where God loves the enemy hates, where God creates the enemy destroys.

But in the end?

The Bible shows us exactly what will happen to the enemy when Christ returns. The enemy will be defeated once and for all, and Christ will reign victorious, having reclaimed the Earth after the final battle.

“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

(Revelation 12:12 - New International Version)

We are reassured that there is an end to the scheme of the enemy. That is why he works so hard to have an impact on so many lives.  The realisation of a time-limit to the enemy’s plans increases his desire to grab as many souls as he can before his time is up. This is why we must also work as hard as possible to save as many souls as we can by spreading the Good News of the salvation of Jesus Christ. It’s the only sure fire way to thwart the enemy!

When Christ returns there will be a reckoning. The devil knows this and is rightly afraid of it. The ending for the enemy and those who follow him is not a pleasant one. All his plans will turn against him and he will suffer the same fate that he wants for us:

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10 - New International Version)

We need to make sure we are always alert against temptations that the enemy places in our way so we can avoid his fate. Ask Jesus for forgiveness, strength and wisdom and give your life to Him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

(Matthew 6:9-14 - New International Version)

Amen

Giving to God – What, Why and How?

I do not receive money from any church or ministry.

“And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

(Genesis 14:20 - New International Version)

When you go to church on a Sunday, meet for a study during the week, or are visited by a pastor in a time of need, it is easy to forget how these things are able to happen. Unfortunately there are costs involved in running ministries, big and small, and these costs have to be covered somehow. Many times, particularly in smaller ministries, those involved cover the costs themselves, but it isn't always possible. The larger the ministry, the more is needed to continue the work God inspires. Regular giving is needed to keep ministries going so God’s people can do what He asks.

“‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former.”

(Matthew 23:23 - New International Version)

Some people say that giving is not needed any more, as tithing was Old Testament law which was overwritten by the new covenant of Jesus. This simply isn't true. As you can see, Jesus requires us to be just, merciful and faithful, and is critical of those who are not, but also clearly states we should not neglect giving. Jesus knew that the ministry to come, over the years until His return, would need the financial support of His people.

What should I give?

“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”

(1 Corinthians 16:1-2 - New International Version)

Paul states that regular giving, proportionately based on income, is needed. This is an incredibly fair system. Gyms and other clubs charge a set fee, no matter your income, meaning that access to some is denied. If you have no income or low income you will not be turned away from the church. Your responsibility to God is to give from what you have, but you don't have to stop at 10%…you can give more!

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Proverbs 19:17 - New International Version)

Did you know that, in the Old Testament, giving ended up at about 23% of a person’s yearly income? There were multiple feasts in the Hebrew calendar, all requiring, as part of the law, that gifts were given for the upkeep of the temple and the priests. Suddenly the modern 10% doesn't seem so bad! There is no specific figure mentioned in the New Testament; churches have adopted the Old Testament 10% but, as you can see, this is way less than in Old Testament days!

Why should I give?

“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”

(Galatians 6:6 - New International Version)

Paul requires that we should support the ministry of the church, ensuring that those who work for God have support for themselves and their families. We pay taxes and bills to receive secular benefits; shouldn't we be MORE willing to support those who teach us about God and work to save souls?

“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God.”

(Ecclesiastes 5:19 - New International Version)

Everything on the earth was created by God, so when we prosper we do so because of His gifts. The talents we have which earn us money come from Him. When we do not give back to God from what we have earned we are taking away from Him what is rightly His.

A study in the US found the following: comparing those who gave to non-givers, using a variety of financial indicators, it was found that givers were more financially healthy in every category. It was discovered that 80 percent of givers had no unpaid credit card bills, 74 percent didn't owe finance on their cars, 48 percent were mortgage free and 28 percent had no debts whatsoever. God blesses those who give.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’”

(Luke 6:38 - New International Version)

Now it is not guaranteed when you tithe that your finances will instantly be healed, God will not promise a lottery win, but it is clear that people who give to God manage their money in a way that shows they have been blessed. Much of it is to do with the more Christ-like attitudes that givers have; they are less likely to get trapped in the rat race of consumerism as they see themselves as custodians of their money, using it for God’s purposes, rather than as people who need to acquire more and more stuff.

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

(1 Timothy 6:17-19 - New International Version)

This doesn't mean that God won't want you to have a nice house, car, holidays or the like as a reward for your hard work, just that they should not be your priority. Many people’s money problems are caused because they have the wrong priorities. If your focus is on money, you can easily develop attitudes of greed, envy and covetousness. A focus on God and doing good things that comes from His will prevents these attitudes from developing, as your joy comes from Christ, not gaining possessions.

How should I give?

Give quietly and humbly – don't use it as a way to make yourself look good.

“Be careful not to practise your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

(Matthew 6:1 - New International Version)

Give with a grateful and cheerful heart…don't give because you HAVE to, give because you WANT to.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

(2 Corinthians 9:7 - New International Version)

Trust, Honesty and Integrity...

UPDATE: Having started my new job I am amazed at how incredibly God has provided for me. It is in a place which starts with bible readings and prayer every day, where faith and integrity are part of the core ethos and is definitely a place in which I can work with a clear conscience.

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

(Revelation 21:5 - New International Version)

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation.’”

(Isaiah 12:2 - New International Version)

Something that Christians need to be conscious of is the need to live out what we believe. This involves holding ourselves to God’s high standards and principles in the way we conduct our lives, as opposed to the lower standards that the secular world deems to be acceptable.

This can be very hard to do as it often comes with a cost. Being honest and demonstrating integrity in what you do can lead to being passed over or missing opportunities, as others with less ethical natures may be rewarded by a world that doesn't always look closely at a person’s character, being content instead with a cursory glance at the shiny surface they present to the world.

Unfortunately, people can be fooled by those whose nature does not reflect God’s principles. God cannot be fooled. God knows our thoughts and sees the inner desires of our hearts. He knows whether or not what we say and do is honest and has integrity.

”Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

(Psalm 139:4 - New International Version)

Patience is a virtue

God also rewards us for being steadfast and true. Not only is He our salvation, the greatest gift of all, but He longs to shower us with other gifts. Sometimes the gifts are immediate, but sometimes they are held back until the right time, or until He has ensured that we will be mindful of them and grateful for them.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

(John 15:5 - New International Version)

I've been trying very hard to put all of my trust in God, particularly in recent months, probably more so than ever before in my life. It has not been an easy time, and there have been moments when doubt and disappointment could have overtaken me and when the temptation to give in to the demands of the more worldly aspects of life has been great. Sometimes it feels like it would be easier to lie...

Honesty IS the best policy

I've been looking for a new job as, having taken a stand for honesty and integrity in my current workplace, life has become very 'difficult'. I have been blessed by God in getting many interviews, but until today my honest answers to some tricky questions about this 'difficult' employment led to nothing. Not becoming disheartened and not doubting God’s plan was hard. Really hard.

I am glad that I persevered. Today God blessed me with a new job and the people interviewing me were open minded and open hearted, respecting the stand I have taken for God’s principles of honesty and integrity. I think that, having gone through so many unsuccessful interviews, God was using this time to teach me about perseverance and humility. God has been right beside me. I have really felt His presence next to me and know I could not have kept to His principles without His strength keeping me upright.

His word is my strength

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 - New International Version)

Reading the Bible each day and studying God’s words and wisdom has been a huge source of strength for me. It has enabled me to build up my trust in Him more and more, especially as He has been using my studies to build me up in exactly the places I needed the reinforcement. I have been reading the Psalms, and the comfort they have brought me, as well as reminders of His promises, has been incredible. Being reminded that we are ‘in the world, but not of the world’ has been a source of encouragement to keep going, to retain my integrity and keep being honest. I have also been reminded that I need to spend time with God each and every day, in study and prayer.

A scripture study from our senior pastor has also pointed the way, reminding me that God has a plan for my life, even when I can’t always step back far enough to see it. Yesterday morning, at exactly the time I needed it, a word of Scripture arrived in my inbox; it was like God was sat next to me.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

(Hebrews 10:35-36 - New International Version)

Trust + Perseverance = Good Things

Trust is not easy and has to be worked at. Perseverance is required, as we must continually believe that God has great things in store for us when we are faithful to Him. Life doesn't always go exactly the way we want it to, at exactly the moment we want it to, because God has bigger and better things waiting for us.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

(John 14:6 - New International Version)

Jesus is truth…therefore honesty and integrity are needed if we are to be like Him. We must uphold these Kingdom values in our lives, showing Christ through our words and actions if we are to be a light unto the world. I pray and trust in God that I will be given the strength of character to follow Paul’s example:

“I speak the truth in Christ – I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit”

(Romans 9:1 - New International Version)