We often talk about wanting to experience a “move of God”. It is a phrase that is part of the religious language we speak as Christians. As individuals, churches and ministries, we pray for it, seek it and long for it to come. Just knowing that God is aware of our needs and desires to bless us and use us is a great thrill, as well as a mighty comfort for us as Christians. And experiencing a move of God reminds us of this fact.
When we study the Scriptures we can clearly see a number of things that “move God”. For example, we could say with certainty that God is moved with compassion as Jesus indicates in Matthew chapter 9 verse 36, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” This verse supports this idea perfectly, that God is aware of our situations, and is moved by His great love for us to supply our needs. Further, that He wants to lead us and care for us as a shepherd would his sheep. And this example includes both the individual sheep as well as the whole herd. What moves God for you individually will also move God on behalf of the entire church.
And there are many others examples of things that move God, like when He sees His people, whether individually or collectively, act in obedience, faith, and humility, he is moved. Maybe this is why God is so moved by giving and perhaps this is why God established a core Kingdom Law about sowing and reaping. God is greatly moved when we give, when we sow a seed! Why? Below are several simple thoughts regarding why I believe that God is so moved by our giving.
1.First we are commanded to give. When we do, it is an act of obedience. Obedience implies that we are submitted to God instead of being controlled by our own lust and the desire to consume everything we have on ourselves. In Luke 6:38 we see that not only are we commanded to give, but the Scripture is unwavering when it makes the statement, “… and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over…” This leaves no room for options; when we give, it shall be given back. Obedience always gets a divine response.
2.Sowing a seed implies that we expect a harvest. It is an act of faith. A farmer will only sow what he expects will grow and return. Giving instead of spending implies that we have the faith that if we sow there will be a harvest, and that what we have is not all we are ever going to get. In James 5:7, ‘the farmer and his love for the harvest’ analogy is used in relation to our desire for the coming of the Lord. But the principle is clear; the farmer expects and enthusiastically waits for the precious harvest that he expected would come when he sowed the seed.
3.Giving what I need for myself to the Kingdom is an act of humility. It says that God is my source and that I know that I cannot provide adequately for myself; I am dependent on His blessing. Plus, it makes a statement that I am not my own storehouse; that there is a storehouse of provision and blessing that is outside and above me that I should honor through my giving. In Hebrews 7: 4-9 we see that Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek, Priest of God and King of Salem even though Abram himself was the patriarch of the Levitical Priesthood. Interestingly enough, when he paid his tithes to Melchizedek in the next biblical sequence (chapter 15), God promised him a son. God says to Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” In verse 4 He goes on to say, “but one who comes from your own body shall be your heir.” In this passage God tells Abram he would have a son, and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the heavens.
Want to move God? How about experiencing a move of God? Well, while there are no doubts about it, there are many other acts recorded in Scripture that motivate God to act, but these three things unquestionably work: obedience, faith and humility. And in giving (sowing your seed of increase), all three are embodied at once.
This is why giving is a core value to Destiny, because it is clearly a core value to God. Our desire at Destiny is that we may help to position our ministers, churches and ministries for success and divine blessing. I have watched again and again as men and women of God have experienced the move of God through their giving; things like exponential growth, spiritual breakthroughs, revival, financial release, and the cancelation of debt. When a seed is sown into the Kingdom and away from ourselves, it hits at least three motivators of God: obedience, faith and humility.