Would you say you are a generous person? Do you welcome occasions to donate to godly organizations and endeavors? Is giving a normal part of your financial life?
Right from the start, let us assure you that this topic is not being raised to put any type of pressure on you. (You’ll see why later in this letter.) We simply believe it is a healthy exercise to regularly evaluate our attitudes toward the practice of giving.
How well do we support the Lord’s work? Whether it is our home church, local charities, or global humanitarian aid, we need to heartily embrace the giving impulse.
On the Same Page
Dick’s comments: One of the great blessings of a long marriage is the growth a husband and wife find in the area of giving. Cindi and I have noticed in these later years together that whenever we encounter an opportunity to give (or feel impressed that someone needs extra encouragement in the way of financial support), we seem to be on the same page. Often we will come up with the same recipient, or we will agree upon the amount to give. Our conversation goes something like this: “That’s exactly the figure I had in mind.” However, I would have to admit that it hasn’t always been this way.
In our earlier years of marriage, Cindi was always the more sensitive and generous of the two of us. Whenever we discussed an amount to give, she would consistently throw out a figure higher than mine. Thankfully, through her wonderful example of greater generosity, I began to grow in my readiness to embrace the giving impulse.
Enlightened Self-Interest
Philip’s comments: Many of us have grown in the same way Dick has described—often through Derek Prince’s clear teaching on handling the resources God provides for us. One of the passages Derek regularly used when dealing with this theme was Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom [NIV: poured into your lap]. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (After the phrase “running over,” the Amplified Bible includes: “with no space left for more.”)
This is one of those teachings where you will often hear Derek use this phrase: “enlightened self-interest.” What does he mean by that? Very simply, by obeying the Lord, you and I are rewarded for our right action. Would it be better if we gave selflessly simply because it was right to do so? Of course. Even so, giving is one of those areas where there is a reward for us. It is “enlightened self-interest” to give generously.
Regardless of the promised rewards, it is proper to embrace the giving impulse.
No Hidden Messages
Philip and Dick: Just to restate what we said at the beginning of this letter, there is no “hidden agenda” for this month’s topic. We are not issuing a subtle request for increased contributions to Derek Prince Ministries. Here is the reason why.
As we mark 23 years since Derek’s passing into heaven, we stand amazed at the Lord’s faithfulness (and yours as well) to sustain and expand the ministry that bears his name. What is happening for DPM is quite uncommon. Usually, when the person for whom a ministry is named passes on, there is an understandable decline in impact and finances. Just the opposite has been true for DPM, and for that we give God all thanks.
At this stage of the life of Derek Prince Ministries, we are a debt-free organization, with healthy reserves to sustain and grow the ministry worldwide—especially in those regions where believers don’t have easy access to (or finances to acquire) solid biblical teaching. We are experiencing precisely what Derek taught about the topic of abundance. Here was his view on the subject: “God provides all we need, with more left over to share with others.” This is what is happening worldwide with DPM right now.
We are the beneficiaries of your obedience to embrace the giving impulse.
More on Abundance
In Derek Prince’s message, “The Christian and His Money,” he cites 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” This verse is the basis of Derek’s definition of abundance referenced in the section above.
There is a wealth of wisdom in this message, from which we use only a small fragment here. Even so, it will confirm your desire to embrace the giving impulse.
God is able to make all grace abound toward us, that we always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
Try to find any area of need in that verse. It starts off with a simple statement: “God is able.” Do you believe God is able? We cannot doubt that God is able. What does He make abound to us? All grace. Then, we always have all sufficiency in all things, and we abound or overflow.
But notice, it is not for selfish indulgence. It is for every good work. God doesn’t keep us to the level of mere sufficiency. I’ll tell you why. Because Jesus said, as Paul quoted Him in Acts 20:35: “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
If God gave us only sufficiency, all we would be doing would be receiving. But God gives us more than sufficiency. He gives us abundance—an overflow—that we may have the greater blessing of giving.
Remember, if you are only receiving, even though it is wonderful, you are living on the lower level of blessing. The higher level of blessing is giving. God’s grace, if we will accept it in faith, will make it possible for us—in some measure or another—to go beyond our own personal needs and to give to the needs of others.
Fresh Guidance
As we said earlier, it is a healthy practice to assess our attitudes toward giving. We might find we have fallen into a routine that is good but may need to be modified. Let’s go to the Lord together now, asking for His fresh guidance on our giving practices.
Father, first I want to acknowledge that You are the Giver of every gift I receive. As Your Word says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Thank You, Lord, for Your amazing generosity to me.
I want to make sure that I am responding properly to You in this area of my faith. I open the realm of my finances to You, Lord. Please show me if there are adjustments You want me to make. Are there areas I’m not seeing from Your perspective? Are there additional categories You want me to consider for the use of the resources You are giving me? I ask for Your further guidance, Lord. Amen.
Confirmation from the Word
Just as our automobiles need regular maintenance, so it is with our spiritual lives. It is necessary for us to “check the oil and water levels” in our walk with the Lord. This matter of how we use our finances and how generous we are with them is a good area for regular evaluation. We have also just prayed and asked our Father for His help.
While we have full assurance that the Lord has heard our petition, each of us has an added responsibility to search the Scriptures and receive confirmation from God’s Word. The focus Derek places on biblical teaching, such as “The Christian and His Money” (the sermon from which we drew his excerpt), will be of substantial help to you. It is our pleasure to provide this encouraging message to you free of charge. Just use the download link below.
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf, and for your faithful obedience to “the giving impulse” in support of the work of DPM-USA. We are grateful to you.
Words of Appreciation
Out of our great appreciation for your wonderful partnership in the work of DPM worldwide, we want to end this letter with our commendation to you.
In doing so, we will be citing the words of Paul the apostle as he was writing to the Corinthians in chapter 8 of his second letter: “Moreover, brethren [and sisters], we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (verses 1–5, emphasis added).
In expressing our profound gratitude, we want to highlight the phrase Paul used toward the end of verse 5. Thank you for first giving yourselves to the Lord. We know that your generosity has emanated first and foremost out of your commitment to Jesus.
Let’s keep obeying Him—continuing to faithfully embrace the giving impulse.
Sincerely in Christ,
Philip Wyns
President, DPM-USA
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
Executive Consultant/Senior Editor
