When we talk about giving in church, many people tense up. That's because giving has often been presented as a chore or obligation rather than what it truly is - a pathway to blessing. Today, let's explore what uncommon giving means and how it can activate God's favor in your life.
What Is Uncommon Giving?
Uncommon giving refers to generosity that is unusual, exceptional, and beyond the standard way of giving. While usual giving happens from our comfort zone and doesn't interrupt anything in our lives, uncommon giving affects something in your life. It might make you uncomfortable or raise questions about how you'll meet other needs, but it's a step of faith in obedience to God's word.
Many people want God to do uncommon things in their lives, but they aren't ready to do what it takes to attract uncommon favor. The truth is, any level you want God to go with you, you must be ready to go that same level with Him. When you draw near to God, He draws near to you - but how close He comes depends on how close you're willing to get.
Understanding the Blessing
The blessing is God's divine favor, grace, and the good things He gives us. This includes both material prosperity and spiritual prosperity. When the blessing comes upon you, it's like a power that makes you flourish and thrive when others are struggling.
Many Christians aren't experiencing spiritual prosperity, which is why Christianity feels painful to them - there's no joy, motivation, or drive to pursue the things of the Spirit. This spiritual blessing is something we must crave and pursue.
You Can't Buy a Blessing, But You Can Activate It
It's important to understand that you can't buy a blessing. You can't bribe God or negotiate with Him. However, you can learn to activate the blessing through obedience rather than manipulation.
God has established laws in His system - both natural and spiritual laws. Just as an airplane flies by complying with the laws of aerodynamics, we can "fly" spiritually and materially by identifying and activating God's laws of blessing.
The Law of Generous Scattering
Proverbs 11:24-25 reveals a powerful spiritual law: "There is one who generously scatters abroad and yet increases all the more. And there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty."
This scripture teaches us that when we generously scatter (give), we increase more. Conversely, when we withhold what should be released from our hands, it results in want and poverty.
Sometimes God puts impressions on our hearts to release something in our hands. At that moment, what we're holding isn't truly ours - we're just stewards. When we hold onto it, we deprive ourselves of the ability to apply this law and "fly" spiritually.
What Happens When You Withhold?
If you find yourself in constant want or poverty, check which law you might be violating. Some people are so tight-fisted that nothing leaves their hands. They never give, even if they're drowning - they'll drown with what they're holding. You can tell by their lives that they're always in want, always chasing shadows.
There are specific areas where God commands what is "justly due" to be released. If you release it in any other area, it won't thrive because you've refused to plant it where it's supposed to be.
Different Forms of Giving
The Bible talks about giving in different forms - tithing, offering, thanksgiving, and more. Whether you agree with these concepts or feel comfortable with them doesn't change what they are. We might change terminology to feel more comfortable, but it doesn't change God's original intention for what He instituted.
The Promise of Reaping
The scripture continues: "The generous man is a source of blessing and shall be prosperous and enriched... and he who waters will himself be watered, reaping the generosity he has sown."
Sometimes people think they'll reap immediately after giving. But reaping might not happen in a year, or even in ten years. Sometimes it might not happen in your lifetime - it could be your grandchildren who reap. God thinks generationally, not just individually.
What the Blessing Brings
As you learn to give generously, you step into:
- Double portion
- Financial abundance
- Restoration
- Miracles
- Divine presence
- Blessings upon your family
- Deliverance
Interestingly, when the blessing begins to speak over your life, it often generates hatred. People may criticize your prosperity while ignoring your generosity. If you want the Lord to prosper you but are afraid of people's reactions, you need to reconsider - God's prosperity often brings enemies.
The Power to Create Wealth
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 reminds us: "Otherwise you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' But you shall remember with profound respect the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth."
There's a difference between money and wealth. Money gives you the ability to exchange products and commodities, but wealth is different. God gives us the power to get wealth, not just money.
You can work all your life and get money (salary, wages) but never create wealth. Wealth includes properties, lands, and thriving businesses. God gives you the power, capacity, wisdom, understanding, and favor to create wealth - to move from renting to owning, from managing others' properties to managing your own.
The Purpose of Wealth
The scripture continues that God gives the power to make wealth "that He may confirm His covenant." This means the wealth that comes into your life is to confirm God's covenant to build His house. When you build God's house, He builds yours - there's always a double portion. The covenant is for us to receive wealth and use it to expand God's kingdom, save souls, and spread His name through generous giving.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to examine your heart regarding giving. Ask yourself:
- Am I giving from my comfort zone, or am I practicing uncommon giving that requires faith?
- Have I been withholding what God has impressed upon me to release?
- Do I truly believe that God is the one who gives the power to create wealth?
- Am I using my resources to build God's kingdom, or am I hoarding them for myself?
May the Lord create in you a new heart - one that is soft and pliable, able to discern God's voice and respond in obedience. May He draw you to that special place where He reveals His secrets, and may He honor you when you call on Him because your heart is aligned with His purposes.
Remember, the blessing isn't just about receiving - it's about becoming a channel through which God's blessings can flow to others. As you practice uncommon giving, may you experience uncommon favor in every area of your life.
