A Generous Giver but Rejected by God

Let's meet Liz. Liz was a chronic giver, she was liberal in giving and sharing. She was always ready to help those less fortunate than her and those in need. Liz is still a generous giver. Friends, colleagues and family were inspired by her generosity. Liz was inspired to give as she learned this from her parents; both her parents were known to be very generous in giving to everyone irrespective of their own low income. Liz strategically planned how her monthly salary was spent such as giving to her local church as well as to different people in need around her.

Are you inspired by Liz's lifestyle of giving? Something happened to Liz that she will never forget. In the year 2015, Liz had an encounter with God through a dream. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her that while her giving was commendable and that she would receive the rewards of reaping and sowing (the law of harvest) but her giving was not acceptable to God. Liz was indignant and questioned the angel as she believed she was following the word of God in respects of giving to others and giving in the house of God.

The angel told her that she holds offences, holds grudges, she does not forgive people when they offend her; the angel of the Lord reminded her of different people that she is yet to forgive. The angel of the Lord also reminded her of the scripture in Matthew 5:23-24 which says:

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NKJV.

In addition,  the angel of the Lord also reminded her of the scripture in the same book of Matthew 5:44-48 which says:

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Liz became very tearful, she told the angel of the Lord that she does not know why she struggles to forgive those that offend her. She said even when her family and church family offend her, she takes everything to heart including when her children offend her. The angel of the Lord told Liz that she had to forgive other people in order to receive God's forgiveness for any wrong she does as in the story of the unforgiving servant that Jesus Christ told Peter in Matthew 18:21-35

Jesus Christ also said: "Blessed (content, sheltered by God's promises) are the people that are merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7).

Are you a giver but struggles to let go of offences? Or are you someone that easily let go of offences but struggles to give? Ask God to help you. Are you thinking this post does not apply to you at all? Can I kindly suggest that you ask God to show you the area of your life where you need to improve.

Have a great week ahead. See you next week Monday for another post from us.