Worshipping God with Giving and Thanksgiving: Understanding True Wealth in Christ


In today's world, the message of giving in exchange for blessings has become prevalent, with many being taught that monetary giving will secure divine favor and wealth. However, the message of Christ reveals a different truth. It is not the act of giving money that makes one rich in God. Instead, it is the Word of God living in us and the declarations we make in worship that bring about transformation in our lives.


The Power to Get Wealth: Rooted in Christ

The question of what it means to possess the "power to get wealth" is addressed clearly in the scriptures. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us, *"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for 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 this day."* While many focus on material wealth, the essence of this verse speaks of a deeper kind of wealth that is tied to God's covenant with His people. This wealth is more than money or possessions; it is about living in the abundance of God’s promises through Christ.

To understand this wealth-producing power, we must go beyond the surface and look back to Christ, who is the beginning of all things. As John 1:1 says, *"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."* Every great truth in the Kingdom of God finds its source in Christ, the ultimate expression of God's wealth and power.


The Seed is Not Money—It’s the Word of God

The principle of seedtime and harvest, as seen in Genesis 8:22, is often misapplied in teachings that promote monetary giving as the key to unlocking blessings. However, this scripture is a shadow of the new covenant that was to come in Christ. Christ is the seed of God, the very Word of God that is sown into our hearts. 

The parable of the seed in scripture is about the seed of the word sown in our hearts for a harvest of righteousness not worldly riches.

Luke 8:11 - Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 - Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 - They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. -

14 - And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15 - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 


Hebrews 8:10 reveals the heart of God’s new covenant with us: "This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." The seed God speaks of is His Word, not money. It is the Word of God that transforms our lives, shaping our hearts, minds, and actions. Romans 10:8-10 affirms this by saying, "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," and further emphasizes that "with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Thus, the wealth-producing power of God is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). This power manifests as life, wisdom, health, peace, joy, strength, righteousness, holiness, love, faith, and hope. It is not about material accumulation but about living in the fullness of God’s Kingdom.


The True Purpose of Giving

2 Corinthians 9:8 is often misinterpreted to suggest that we give to receive blessings. But this verse points to something greater: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." The emphasis here is not on giving to get more but on abounding in good works as a result of God’s abundant grace. 

We are blessed to be a blessing, and our giving is an expression of love, not a transaction for personal gain. As God promised Abraham, "I will bless you and make you a blessing" (Genesis 12:2), our call is to give out of love and gratitude, reflecting the character of God.

True worship is about aligning our hearts with God’s purpose. Giving in this context is a form of thanksgiving, a way of honoring God for all He has done and continues to do in our lives. It is not driven by the desire for more blessings but by the desire to be a blessing to others. As Paul reminds us, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).


Giving and Thanksgiving: A Reflection of Worship

Worship is not just about singing songs or attending services—it is about living a life that reflects the goodness and generosity of God. When we give, it should be an act of thanksgiving, an overflow of our gratitude for God’s grace. As we offer our time, resources, and talents, we are participating in the divine nature of Christ, who gave Himself fully for us.

Thanksgiving is a powerful expression of worship. Psalm 100:4 instructs us to "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." When we give thanks, we acknowledge that all we have comes from God, and we declare our trust in His provision.


Conclusion: Christ is the Seed, and We are His Harvest

The truth of the matter is this: wealth in God's Kingdom is not about money; it is about the transformative power of the Word of God in our hearts. Christ is the seed that produces life, and as we allow His Word to take root in us, we experience true wealth—life abundant, wisdom, peace, joy, and the capacity to bless others.

As believers, we must move away from the mentality of giving to receive blessings and instead embrace the heart of giving to be a blessing. This is true worship—giving thanks to God, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, and reflecting His love to the world.

Let us remember that in Christ, we are already rich. The wealth-producing power of God is not in material possessions but in the Word of God, alive and active in us. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory, that brings about transformation and abundance in every area of our lives.

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