The Covenant of Prosperity – The Reasons For Giving. 

By Deacon Adekunle Adenuga 

2 Corinthians 9:1-11

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together”, says the LORD, … God has reason for every command and instruction given to man. Every command and instruction to man from God is for man’s profiting. It is man that enjoys the blessing of obeying God’s command and it is man the bear the consequence of disobeying God’s command. Man’s obedience or otherwise to the divine command does not in anyway have effect on God.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”
In the school of prosperity, giving is an obligation that cannot be wished away. Giving is a crucial covenant practice for kingdom prosperity. Why is Giving necessary for covenant prosperity?

Because of Love. 

Giving is a demonstration of love. Giving expresses our love for God and his people. Any giving that demonstrates God’s love must first be provoked by God’s love. 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son;…”
Love compelled God to give His only Son. He loved the world and demonstrated His love toward the world by giving His only begotten Son to the world.

When you love, you give. 2 Corinthians 5:14. God’s love has the grace to compel or constrain you to give. This implies that divine love hold and press you to do something though, you have the will to do contrary, but when God’s love is involved , your will gives way to God’s will. This is what it means to be constrained or compelled by God’s love. Because of your love for God and for His kingdom, you choose to forgo your comfort in order to see the kingdom of God prospering on the earth.

When you love, you give automatically. When you are in love with God, you don’t need any coercion, sweet talking and anyone forcing you to give. God’s love enables you to give willingly and cheerfully. It is giving in love that commands reward. 1 Corinthians 9:17. If I do this willingly, then I have a reward. But love enables you to be willing and obedient to do and give for God’s cause. When you give willingly and cheerfully, reward is inevitable.

1 Chronicles 29:3-5. David gave his all for the house of God because of his affection and devotion and love to the house of God. It was love for God that motivated David to give of his substance in preparation for the building of house of God.
Not all giving is born out of love.
1 Corinthians 13:3 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing”
You can give apart from love. Such giving brings no profits to the giver. But you cannot love without giving. Because the true giving demonstrates love. When you love, you give. According to 1 John 3:16-17. Knowing love is giving your all. Knowing love is giving to meet the needs of brethren.
Love is kind. Kindness produces generosity. Generous spirit is a manifestation of divine love.

To be a Blessing.

Genesis 12:2 “I will make you a great nation: I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing”
Every redeemed child of God has a glorious destiny to be a blessing to his generation. Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit though faith”

By redemption, we have the blessing of Abraham on us. The blessing of Abraham on us is not for decoration, it is on us for spreading, to be a blessing to the world.
Galatians 3:29 “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise”
Abraham was blessed, and then his seed also must be blessed. Romans 11:16.

 Abraham was a blessing, and then his seed also must be a blessing. Jesus is the seed of Abraham, He is blessed and He is a blessing. If you are Christ’s – belong to Christ – then you are a seed of Abraham, you are blessed and you must be a blessing.
Being a blessing involves giving of yourself and your substance. Be a blessing to God’s kingdom on earth by giving yourself to the service of the kingdom and give your substance.
Be a blessing to the brethren by giving yourself to their service, praying for them, visiting and encouraging them, supporting one another, and where necessary bless them with your substance. 1 John 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:12.

Because Your Harvest Is Connected to Your Giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”
Your harvest is determined by your sowing which is your giving. As long as the earth remains, or as long as you are on this earth, seedtime and harvest shall not cease. Genesis 8:22. The law of seedtime and harvest guarantees that mankind will consistently and always have the provision of food as long as mankind keep sowing seeds of the herbs and fruits and food they desire.
If you are not a sower (giver), you are not entitle to a harvest. It is your harvest that brings your increase. As Christians we are spiritual farmers. We are sowers. Our increase on this earth comes through our harvest. And harvest would not come unless you have sowed. The level of increase you experience is connected to the level of your giving.
For every committed giver, God is committed to supplying seed to the giver. 2 Corinthians 9:10. God does not multiply your harvest. God only multiply the seed he supplies and that you have sown. Harvest is a manifestation of multiplied seed sown. Multiplied seed sown is the harvest.

God is faithful. For everyone who truly wants to sow, God will supply seed to them. And when God supply seed to you, what do you do with the seed?
Check this out: God will not only supply you seed, and leave you hungry. He supplies seed and bread. God always supplies two provisions for the sower: the seed for sowing and bread for food. WHY? So there will be no excuse that hunger made you eat your seed. Isaiah 55:10.

Giving Produces Much More Thanksgiving To God. 

Our giving produces many thanksgivings to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12. Our giving causes brethren to give thanks to God for meeting their needs through our giving.
While our giving supplies the needs of the saints, it in addition brings about many thanksgivings to God.
1 Chronicles 29:9-10. After the people had given willingly, they rejoiced and King David rejoiced greatly, and then he began to praise and give thanks to God.
Two good things will result from this ministry of giving:
1. The needs of the believers will be met
2. The believers will joyfully express their thanks to God.