A teacher asked one of her students this question: If you have $5.00 in one pants pocket and $2.00 in the other pocket, what do you have? The student looked at the teacher and answered, "Somebody else's pants."

What would you do today if you went to your bank and discovered a $1,000 deposit had been made into your account and you didn't know where it came from? If you're like me you'd be calling the bank to inform them and to find out how it got into your account. You'd be assured it was a mistake and it didn't belong to you. We'd have a hard time believing it could be ours.

Yet, God blesses people and churches everyday by pouring out what they need beyond what they can comprehend. I know of churches today that have money left over at the end of the year beyond what they needed for ministry. They don't know how it happened. Yet, they never hold on to that money, but they give that money to mission to bless others in need. These churches know that God is a gracious and generous giver. They also realize that God gives to those who give. Each year they have abundance because they give and give.

Paul explained this in 2 Corinthians 9:6 a very important principle of giving to God. Let's read it together:

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

When we serve God first, giving him our best, he multiplies it, enlarges his kingdom through it, and gives more back to us.

1. God multiplies what we are willing to give, not what we hold on to. When you lift up your offering to God, He reaches right back to you. But if you fold your arms, He can't get to your hands to fill them. (Living Beyond the Possible, Myers 51-52).

Look at the little boy that was in that crowd of over 5,000 people who brought 5 loaves and 2 fish for his lunch. When it began to grow dark, Jesus tested the disciples by telling them to feed the large crowd. The disciples didn't know what to do, but they started looking for food and found this little boy with this meagar meal. They still questioned what these 5 loaves and 2 fish would be among so many people. But the amazing thing is the little boy was willing to give it up. Jesus told the disciples "Bring them to me" and they were obedient. We all know the rest of the story - the loaves and fishes were multiplied and everyone was fed with 12 baskets left over. This miracle of giving occurred when a boy was willing to give all that he had. God can do a great deal when someone gives that freely from the heart.

Too many times we are looking at the quantity of the gift. But God sees quality, before He sees quantity. When a person gives all they have to give, that's a quality gift. Remember the poor widow who put in only two copper coins in the offering basket at the temple while others were putting in much, much more. Yet Jesus said she gave the greatest gift because she gave all she had. Another example is the widow of Zarephath during the time of great drought. She had only a handful of four and a little oil - enough to make a cake of bread. She was out gathering sticks to build a fire so she could make the bread for her son and herself as their last meal. She thought they were going to die. Yet, God sends the prophet Elijah to her and Elijah tells her to make the cake of bread for him instead of for herself and her son. Could you have done such a thing? That would have taken immense faith. Yet, she did it and God miracously provided for her family and Elijah throughout the drought. Somehow there was always flour and always oil. How? Because she was willing to give it all. The quality of her gift was great.

God always multiplies what we are willing to give in obedience.

2. The Faith that sees the invisible receives the incredible.

Before God multiplies, he asks us to have the faith to believe and not to doubt. Do you have the faith to see the people coming to Christ or do you doubt that it will ever happen? Do you have the faith to see yourself moving into the community to take a risk for Jesus, or do you doubt that God can use you to make a difference? Do you have the faith to see the day when this church building is fully paid for and is filled with worshippers, children, and youth?

If you have faith to see it, then you and I must have the faith to RISK IT. Fath that costs nothing and risks nothing is worth nothing. If we try to play it safe, then we are really working out of fear and mistrust, rather than faith and trusting in God. There is always an element of risk in faith.

A Mexican church in Metamoros, a village south of Mexico City, celebrated its anniversary for three days. They invited believers and unbelievers from the nearby villages and a guest minister to speak. It was a great opportunity to reach out to those who were not saved. They decided the best way to get people to come and celebrate with them was to throw a three day festival and feast. However, it would take a lot of food and these people were very poor. When they tallied up the cost of feeding everyone for three days, they wondered if it would be possible. Still they offered what they had. A woman stepped forward to supply all the chili peppers for the hot sauce. Another woman promised a three-day supply of beans. One man said he would provide the corn for the tortillas. But they still lacked the meat - the most expensive item on the list. Not one could afford 3 days worth of meat to feed so many people. How would they find enough?

From the back of the room came a voice, "I'll bring the meat" said one of the men. When the church members turned to see who had offered such a generous fit, they were socked that it was Alberto, the poorest man in the church. He could hardly feed his own family and her he was offering to supply the meat!

They questioned him how he would get the meat. He didn't even have a goat!
But he assured them he would bring the meat. But no one could rest until they found out how he was going to be able to fulfill his commitment. They called another meeting and asked him when they could expect the meat and how he was going to get it. He asked when they needed it and told some men to show up in the morning at 4 a.m. at his home with ropes. They all thought he was crazy. However, the men showed up to find Alberto with a gun over his shoulder. "We're going hunting," he told them. "What are we hunting?" they asked. "Deer," he replied. "No one's seen a deer around here for 15 years!" they scoffed. Still Alberto started down the path praising God out loud for deer meat tacos. Amazingly, the men followed him. They grumbled, until a beautiful buck jumped right in front of them. Alberto, still praising God, said, "Lord, you aim the gun and I'll pull the trigger." He dropped the buck and the three men with him were totally amazed. They tied it up with a rope to drag it home. Just then, another buck, larger than the last, stepped out in the path. Alberto shot it, then calmly asked, "How many more do you want?" (Wayne Myers, Living Beyond the Impossible)

Alberto knew what we sometimes forget - God owns all the animals of the field. Everything we need is available through the currency of faith when we are willing to be givers. But like Alberto, we must be willing not to just see the deer, but to go out hunting them. What is God calling you to see?

"The Faith that sees the invisible, receives the incredible." - Wayne Myers

3. Whatever measure we use to give, is the same measure God will use to give to us.

Luke 6:38: Jesus said, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap."

Picture a wheel barrow full of silver dollars. It's so full its running over and spilling into the floor. God says, "This is for you! I give you the choice of using a small cup to scoop them up or a bucket. Which will you choose? You choose your cup or bucket by what you give."

This is a biblical principle we must remember. God is a giver and desires to give to you abundantly. He desires to give so much to us, but will only be able to give by the measure that we use to give. He also will give to us according to His plan and purpose. He chooses to give to you what you can best give in service. So it may not be money - it may be gifts of the spirit, blessings of family, friends, and relationships. But whatever measure we give, it will be given to us by God.

Someone has said, "Satan subtracts, man adds, but God multiplies." To see that multiplication, we must be willing to give in obedience to God, to have the faith to see the invisible, and to increase the measure by which we give. Then we will see the outpouring as never before!