When was the last time you encountered calamity or some type of negative encounter through indecisive decision making on your part? I’m talking about the kind of mishap that produced confusion, which caused your stomach to sour and tie up in knots. You knew the right thing to do, but you refused to act upon this knowledge. A simple yes or no would have sufficed, but instead, you made it difficult on yourself and everyone concerned, because you failed to listen to your heart.
The above struggle is called, double minded thinking. One side of you is pulling in one direction, while the other side is pulling with equal force in the opposite direction—you are in a quandary; do I or don’t I; yes or no. It’s a battle between wants and practical thinking. The cause lies within the battle field of one’s thought process. Choosing yes or no becomes a mental turmoil created by indecision, which produces instability.
(James 1:5-8), “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” vs.6 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” vs.7 “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” vs.8 “he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
When trying to make something selfishly right, people sometimes dump practical thinking and leave it in the dugout that I call, game of life, as they step up to the plate of desire expecting to hit a home run for a one person team. They think up every reason under the sun how to attain their wants, through entitlement; having an attitude—“Because I deserve it.”
At the same time, they conjure up every excuse in the book why they can’t engage in legitimate causes, such as non-profit organizations that minister to the needs of others. If it doesn’t line up with their selfish, self-gratifying nature, they don’t get involved, especially when it involves the giving of money.
Most always, these people find the cash to support their cravings and desires, but seldom have the capital for things they don’t feel is in their best interest to support and throw money at. Think about it, if everyone thought this way the needs of churches and charity programs would suffer. As it is, there are only a small percentage of church attendees that support their church financially. It’s shameful.
What if everyone allowed themselves to act upon integrity and the goodness of stewardship, while permitting sensitivity to find top billing rather than self? If they set aside desires and gave a tenth of their earnings, they would see the promises of God unfold. I believe they would discover the Bible to be inerrant and infallible. Blessings beyond their comprehension would be poured upon them, because the windows of heaven open to those that give. With the same measure given, it will be measured back to them.
When we do what we know is right, whether financially or otherwise, God rewards our giving. He imparts a sense of wellbeing, plus His support and provisions, which is put into our bosom; pressed down, shaken together, and running over, (Luke 6:38). The key is to give first—a not so popular undertaking for some people. It is difficult to do, but God invites everyone to put Him to the test through giving.
(Malachi 3:10), “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, 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.’ ”
God cannot lie. If He said that He will reward those that give, believe what He says in the Bible. Try it and see! Your wants and desires will take care of themselves. The dividends will more than exceed your expectations as you allow yourself to be used of God in touching others by means of your pocketbook.
Even though we know the right thing to do, it is not uncommon to still contend with the ‘yes or no’ battle within us. But we can conquer this demon through trusting God. Indecisive decision making will mature, while double mindedness subsides when we trust Him. A homerun can be achieved when God’s team, the body of Christ, works together toward the common goal of winning souls for Him.
The radiance of glimmering achievements that accompany giving will not only bring satisfaction, eyes will be opened to God’s way of doing things. His plan for using mankind will be revealed when individuals like you and me bring about His will as we remain sensitive to His bidding; doing what the Holy Spirit requests of us.
We will see positive results not only in our lives, but the lives of those that we have helped. There is no greater reward than this. Satisfaction and well-being will prevail in our everyday walk with God as we allow Him access to our assets.
(Luke 6:38), “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Praying for direction in times of decision-making, while listening closely to what God is telling us to do, involve obedience. The hardest part of obedience is the follow through, especially when it comes to money.
As we put God to the test by stepping out in faith and giving away from ourselves, we find that God’s Word does not return void. He makes a way where there seems to be no way, because we obey the voice of God. When yes is settled on in the ‘yes or no’ quandary of thinking, needs are met on both sides of our giving.
As we put God to the test by stepping out in faith and giving away from ourselves, we find that God’s Word does not return void. He makes a way where there seems to be no way, because we obey the voice of God. When yes is settled on in the ‘yes or no’ quandary of thinking, needs are met on both sides of our giving.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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