God Speaks Through Stories

‘Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables’ Matt.13:34

The benchmark for sacrifice is not the value of the money you have given. Rather it is what you have to give up in order to give that amount of money. At the beginning of the year 2012 I struggled with paying my first fruit. Well this might surprise some of you because I occupy the office of a pastor. But the truth is that pastors too struggle with giving especially when they have bills that are high. Well a lady walked into my office, gave me her first fruit, and told me the sacrifice she went through to give that money. And I knew that God was convicting me. Sometimes God brings these peoples stories our way to let us know what He is expecting. So equal sacrifice would mean sacrificing the best I can give now and the best I will keep giving until the land is paid for. That kind of took my own sacrifice to another level because the sacrifice level I had operated on in the past was ‘I have given my sacrificial seed and that’s it’. God constantly uses such seasons to grow us in our walk with Him. When I was in paid employment, as a senior manager I needed to give three months notice before disengaging. Or disengage immediately and forfeit your severance package. So I decided to give them three months so that my severance package would be good. My plan was to use the money I get to start the business I wanted to start. Then I got to church, not knowing that God had set me up, and they were talking about a need. My thoughts were when my business kicks off I will come back to support the need. But I knew in my heart that my severance package was to become my seed. And I had a choice; I could ignore it and use it to run my business. Or I could give it and trust God to sort out my business financially. Guess what I did. It was tough but I gave it. Lets just say that God responded to that sacrifice beyond my expectations. The point is this, it is not enough to focus on God, it is not enough to assess and see what I have, I still have to take that step of faith and give it.

Prayer: Father, help me discern when You speak to me through people’s stories and situations so that I will do what You expect of me always, in Jesus Name.