1 Corinthians 2:5
Man’s wise schemes of influence could never match the power of God as reference to your faith. (Mirror Bible)

Are you being tricked?

In the Bible, there are stories of men who got monetary gain by fooling the people into believing in them instead of in God.

Acts 16:16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. (New King James Version NKJV)

Unfortunately, that behavior still exists today. There are those who use their position, charisma, cunning and even authority to manipulate brothers and sisters in the faith into giving. They orchestrate fifty-dollar lines, one hundred-dollar lines, prophesies for special people only, etc. God loves a cheerful giver, not one tricked, coerced or berated into giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! (The Passion Translation TPT)

God loves and will provide for the giver whose heart is in his giving. This does not just apply to money. You should also give your time, talent, resources, etc. to the kingdom.; and you should do it cheerfully,

Proverbs 3:9-10 Glorify God with all your wealth, honoring him with your firstfruits, with every increase that comes to you. 10 Then every dimension of your life will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy! (The Passion Translation TPT)

You have to be connected to God. If you are, He will speak to you about your giving and make you aware of what is going on.

1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because He teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error]. (Amplified Bible AMP)

You don’t have to barter with men to receive what God has for you. He will give it to you freely.

Revelation 22:17 The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

Your relationship with the Lord makes His will available to you. Your faith gives you the power to access it.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I thank You for giving me the wisdom and revelation. I repent for all the times I allowed anyone to fool or trick me into serving You or giving. You have made it possible for me to come to You and hear You speak to my heart. You will tell me what You want me to know. You will tell me when to give and what to give. I thank You Father, because spending time with You creates a heart that cheerfully gives. That is a blessing all by itself. Your word says, if I give, You promise to give back to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. You have given me two additional revelations about this verse. I am not to give just so I can get, and this verse is not only about money. All giving is also about learning from You and being used by You. I don’t give because of Your promise. I give because You have mandated me to. Your promise is just a bonus You made available for me. It is an additional blessing if I am faithful and obedient to Your commands. You made the path to being blessed by You so clear. I can live to receive the many blessings You have for me. If I do, You will bless me even more. Your word is ever before me, even in my heart. If I have faith in You, I will believe in Your power and see it manifested in my life. No one will trick me into serving or giving. Please increase my faith and I will give all of who I am as You lead me to…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.