THE POWER TO LAY DOWN
There is a power that goes with tithing. It is called the power to lay down that which is costly to God. Abraham had it. It is a Godly power which enables tithers to remain faithful with their tithing. They do not waiver. They do not fail in their tithing. What Job began doing he did continuously Job 1:5. This is a power that moves you to lay down your valuable at the altar to get God's best. It is also called the secret of 'Wealth Creation' which was also revealed to Job in his testimony in Job 29:4, 13-15 'As I was in the days of my youth when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle when I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, father to the poor and caused the widow's heart to singing for joy' - this power to please God opens up the believer to tremendous breakthrough/opportunities.
This power makes wealth and causes one to stay wealthy. God wants you to remember that it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers as it is to this day. Deut 8:18. Power to make wealth is spiritual. It is not physical for by strength shall no man prevail 1Sam 2:9b. Certain wealth might be created by satan but such wealth comes at great human cost and it does not last. Wealth created by divine power lasts forever. Whatever the Lord does shall be forever. Job came across this wealth creating virtue. The ability to stay afloat materially and financially and continually lies with the power to continually 'lay down' the costly at the altar of God. This involves continous giving, payment of tithe and offering and seed sowing on fertile soils. To be able to give faithfully and continually you require a power that is divine, such as the widow of Zarapheth who gave her last meal to the man of God.
Many would want to pay their tithe but renege at the last moment. Many would want to participate in kingdom projects in the church but change their minds at the last moment. Others love to sow seed but lack the will/power to do so. It is impossible to walk in the spirit using the energy of the flesh. This power we are talking about is not physical. It is a power that is compliant to spiritual rules. 'By strength shall no man prevail'. I Sam 2:9.
The race of life is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, neither yet the bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding nor yet favour to men of skill'. Ecc. 9:11. It is the grace of God. It is the power of the Spirit of God. 'So then it is not of him that willeth Rm 9: 16. The believer who wants a big breakthrough in this era of economic meltdown must be ready to pay a price: lay down something of great value at the altar of God continuosly. The power not to grow weary and tired in giving to God is of grace. The power not to turn a blind eye to the needy is of God.
The power to do this is not cheap. It is available to covenant practitioners and whosoever is determined to create wealth and stay prosperous.
To create wealth you need this power. To remain wealthy you need this power. This is because the enemy will not be happy to see you on top. He wants to pull you down. He is grieved at seeing you prosper Psm. 112:10. Therefore you need the staying power of the Holy Ghost to keep on prospering.
The Macedonian brethren had this power to give willingly to God. And Apostle Paul said 'For to their power I bear record yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves to lay down their best in spite of their poverty' 2Cor. 8:3. The power to willingly give to God, sow seed and participate in kingdom activities and pay tithe is available to the committed Christian who loves God. God does not hesitate to open the window of heaven and pour down a blessing on such person. So, God has made available this unique power to give: 'A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the strong heart out of your flesh and I will give an heart of flesh.
'And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my status, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them' Ez. 36:26-27.