January 22, 2017

“You must cancel your debts at the end of every seventh year. This is the way to conduct remission: every creditor must cancel the loan that his friend borrowed, and he must not pressure his friend or brother to repay it,because remission to the Lord will be proclaimed. You may exact payment from a foreigner, but cancel whatever your brother owes you. Moreover, there will be no poor person among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land that he is about to give you to possess. Only be certain to obey the voice of the Lord your God. Carefully observe all of these commands that I’m commanding you today, because the Lord your God will bless you just as he promised. You are to lend to many nations, but not to borrow. Also, you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.” “If there should be a poor man among your relatives in one of the cities of the land that the Lord your God is about to give you, don’t be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor relative. Instead, be sure to open your hand to him and lend him enough to lessen his need. Be careful not to think this wicked thought to yourselves: ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is drawing near…’ and you show ill will toward your poor relative and not give to him. He may then call to the Lord on account of you, and you will be guilty of sin. You must certainly give to him and not feel regret for doing so. Because of this, the Lord your God will bless all your works and everything you do. Since poor people won’t cease to exist in the land, I’m commanding you: Be sure to display generosity to your poor and needy relatives in your land.” “When a fellow Hebrew male or female slave is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you are to set them free. But when you set them free, don’t send them away empty-handed. Provide for them liberally from your flock, threshing floor, and wine vat. As the Lord your God has blessed you, so give to them. Don’t ever forget that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, yet the Lord your God redeemed you. Therefore, I’m giving you these commands today." Deuteronomy 15:1-15

Here God is getting ready to set up His nation on earth. It is important to note how He planned to set up the economy of that nation and how it would relate to His future plans for His spiritual kingdom on earth.

Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit offers four progressive steps to help gain a giving heart.

Deal with a greedy heart. 

“Be careful not to think this wicked thought to yourselves: ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is drawing near… and you show ill will toward your poor relative and not give to him. He may then call to the Lord on account of you, and you will be guilty of sin.” 15:9

At every significant event between God and His people He makes known His intention to bless them so they can become a blessing to others in the land where they dwell.

No one has been blessed like Adam and Eve!

God's call to Abraham included a Covenant to bless him and make all the nations through him.

A Christ-follower cannot afford a greedy heart because a greedy heart can't receive God's blessing or become a blessing to others.

Greed equals selfishness! God warned that greed is a wicked thought! And He referred to it as "ill will". Finally, He pronounces it a sin!

You may have a greedy heart if you are calculated in your giving.

Deal with  a grieving heart.

“You must certainly give to him and not feel regret for doing so. Because of this, the Lord your God will bless all your works and everything you do.” 15:10

Give freely with no strings attached. God doesn't bless regretful giving.

How do you feel if someone gives you a gift and you can tell they are reluctant about giving it? 

And how can God bless others through you if you give with a grieving heart?

Develop a generous heart.

“Provide for them liberally from your flock, threshing floor, and wine vat. As the Lord your God has blessed you, so give to them.” 15:4


God expects you to give in the same measure that He gives to you! 

This is the same truth Jesus emphasizes in the Sermon on the Mount as characterized in Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."

Don't wait to feel generous before you give. Your heart follows your treasure, so give generously and you will begin to feel generous!

                                        

Develop a grateful heart. 

^“Don’t ever forget that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, yet the Lord your God redeemed you. Therefore, I’m giving you these commands today.” V. 15

I think this is the most powerful of the four helps to a giving heart. Here Moses says, "Whenever you start feeling a little possessive Remember where you came from!"

A generation ago they were slaves and had nothing. There have have still been some among them who bore the marks of slavery on their backs. Then God sent Moses to deliver them and set them free. God led them and fed them and protected them and blessed them in every way so they could be a blessing to others.

You will live under a blessing or under a curse.

If you can live under God’s blessing why wouldn’t you?

It’s all about having the heart of a giver and God’s Word offers clear counsel on how to have a giving heart.

It’s all about the heart!

How is it with your heart?

Where are your treasures?