It is so nice when someone gives you something, especially if you were not expecting it or when whatever you are given has a special significance. Giving is so important in our lives, as a matter of fact it is at the heart of the Gospel, “For God so loved the world He gave . . . “ If God cannot teach us to be a giver He cannot use us, because we disqualify ourselves from service by our inability to become a giver. You know I can always tell where someone is in God by how they give.

When my father was in Viet-Nam (in 1967-68) I attended Ridgeley High School in Ridgeley WV. My parents did a great job providing clothing and food, but we never had extra money for the extra nice things kids get. I played basketball, football, and the field events in track and did quite well. Our track and football Coach was Jimmy Fazalore. Now Coach Fazalore was a big Italian man with huge muscular arms. He had many pet names, but when his name was mentioned it griped our hearts and filled fear in us because we knew he was often called to give or deliver licks with his paddle. I saw Coach Fazalore give one boy 10 licks with his paddle this was foolish because after the first lick his butt was numb. One day Coach Fazalore called me down to his office in the cage, the football and track area. I thought oh no what did I do, Coach Fazalore wants to see me. I reported as directed. When I got to the cage Coach Fazalore had his back to me as he sat in his chair. I spoke, “Yes sir Coach Fazalore.” He swung around in his chair and said, “Stahl I have a problem. I bought this jacket and it does not fit me do you want it?” I looked, it was a letter jacket a brand new never been worn letter jacket. All of the other kids had one, but we could not afford it. I replied, “yes sir, oh yes sir.” Coach Fazalore threw it to me. It felt oh so good in my hands as I snagged it out of the air. As I was saying thank you I quickly opened it. Now I expected to find Coach Fazalore's name and his track and football symbols on it, but to my amazement I read Stahl over the breast pocket. And on the sleeves and breast pockets were my symbols and achievements. Coach Fazalore bought this letter jacket for me, I was crushed. I had never been given such an expensive gift before, what a true act of unselfish giving. I will never ever forget Coach Jimmy Fazalore, for he taught me about true giving. His giving truly was at the heart of God. It was a giving without expecting nothing back, without expecting nothing in return. God's type of giving is always from a motive and expectation of not receiving back something out from the giving.

Sadly in the Church today there is another type of giving that is sweeping the Body of Christ, a giving that is not at the heart of God. It is a giving to get. A giving where one expects to receive more then what they gave. It is important to know God operates at the same level. At the same measure you forgive you will be forgiven, no more no less. Jesus said, “ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” (Luke 6:37 ) These conditions of receiving God's mercy and grace are all at the same level. What we do we shall receive the same. If we show or give mercy and forgiveness we shall receive mercy and forgiveness at that same level. I wonder why we think we can give a little and then get back a lot? How dare us think God must give us something. Who do we think we are to presume God Almighty has to give us something because we do something for Him? Is not breath, life, love, health, and the salvation He so freely gives enough?

Now many Christians have really mastered the art of getting people to give. For the last four weeks (and still going strong) Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) has had their latest beg-a-thon, they seem to get longer and more extravagant. If God is behind something you will not have to beg for money. The driving force behind their beg-a-thon is not to share the Gospel message, but giving money to them so that you can receive a blessing from God. Their scenario is; call us and give us money then God will bless you. What a pile of dung. What if God does not want to bless us right now? This is nothing but lies and ungodly manipulation of the Body of Christ. My friend I believe the greatest sin of the Church of American today is manipulation and TBN leads the way. Brethren please do not be deceived by this selfish manipulation. God has ordained the local Church as the place our tithes and offerings are to be given . “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mathew 16:18) Every penny that is given to organizations like TBN weakens the local Body of Christ's ability to evangelize, equip, edify, and support programs in their local area and even missions around the world. Paul taught, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-13) The Greek root word for “church” is the same Greek root word for “ body of Christ.” The “Body of Christ” and “Church” is the same spiritual projection of God's ministering arm to His children. B rothers and sisters blessings from God come by way of our obedience (through His Spirit) to His words, not man's. TBN and other TV networks have very gifted speakers, but my friend in God there is a big difference between and gifted speaker and a broken speaker. The broken speaker would never presume anything. Words would be hard to form and come out of His mouth, because he knew he was speaking for God. The gifted speaker twists and perverts truth into a lie manipulating and deceiving Christians who are not strong in the word of God. Gifted speakers reduce the word of God down to a formula to get God to bless you. “Right now go to the phone you have three minutes, this is a holy time, call us, and God will bless you, God will give you your miracle break-through.” What a lie, please do not be deceived. They all are thieves and liars and should be ashamed of themselves. This type of wrong thinking and preaching leaves God's will, desires, and His sovereignty out of the picture and is built on a direct lie. Most such scams are taken from the truth of word of God, but are perverted to manipulate the people. One such example is in Matthew. Jesus talked of the word of God as a seed that is planted in our heart, but takes root according to our heart condition. Many Christian celebrities, especially on TBN, take these verses from Matthew twisting and perverting them to reach their unholy, ambitious, and selfish means. The seed Jesus was talking about that was planted in hearts was the word of God. “ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it ; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 18:23) It is the word of God that will, “ bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” not money . We are so good at making up new doctrines to support our selfish desires and motives. Jesus was not talking about planting money in our hearts. Anyone who teaches money gain from these verses are lairs and thieves preaching an unholy doctrine and open heresy to God's holy word. Sadly giving to get is the main message that TBN preaches. Instead of the Gospel message of the Cross TBN preaches give $5 and God will give you $500 around the world from their stages and platforms. They should be ashamed of themselves and repent of their greed and presumption. My brothers and sisters please know I am not offended or jealous at TBN, but I am ashamed of their arrogance and ambition.

Brethren let us focus on giving at the heart of God. God's giving is always hallmarked by a motive and attitude of wanting nothing in return. In Mark we read, “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:43-44) She was not looking for a blessing, but was just obedient to God. Do you think she lacked? I think not. In 1 Kings 17:9-16, the widow freely gave and in obedience did what Elijah said, “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.” (1 King 17:13) God always supernaturally works in our obedience, for our obedience is the condition we must meet for God to work in the supernatural, not our giving. “ And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:16 ) Jesus said, “ Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 16:38) What is the “it” in this verse? Whatsoever was given. If you plant an apple seed you will not get an orange tree. In the natural realm whatsoever seed is planted will grow and God has set into motion seed-time and harvest to produce an abundance of seed for more planting. But in the spiritual realm not so, like in the natural realm whatsoever is planted grows, but the harvest is at the same measure, “For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Brethren in giving, our goal is not to get, but to give. Giving to get has always been and will eternally be wrong. We give so that others may receive. We must allow God to be God and give us whatsoever He desires. He is God and we are not. Our job is to give not according to some formula or some requirement, but to be led by the precious Holy Spirit and give as He directs, “ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) Then and only then when we be able to give at the heart of God, for then our giving will be His expression from His heart.