Giving Part 2

Summary

In this video by Salifou Ministries, the speaker passionately discusses the concept of giving to God via supporting ministries or churches. The talk emphasizes that giving isn't just monetary but also about investing in the spiritual growth and outreach programs such as supporting pastors, aiding the needy, and propagating the gospel. The speaker clarifies the misconception of wealth and Christianity, highlighting that investing in God’s work is part of spiritual righteousness and a way to share in divine blessings. The discussion includes biblical references and personal anecdotes to strengthen the message.

Highlights

• Discussing money and finances in the light of Bible teachings. 📚
• Explaining the importance of giving to God through church or ministries. 🌍
• Clarifying misconceptions about wealth in Christianity. 💰
• Highlighting the importance of supporting pastors financially. 👨‍⚖️
• Emphasizing that giving is an expression of faith and partnership with God. 🙌

Key Takeaways

• Giving to ministries or churches is a way of giving to God. 🌟
• Investing in God’s work brings blessings and spiritual rewards. 🙏
• Supporting pastors and the needy is part of spreading the gospel. 📖
• Jesus and his disciples were not poor; giving is part of Christian duty. 💸
• Giving sets you free and brings joy. 😊

Overview

In this deeply insightful video, Salifou Ministries dives into the biblical perspective on giving, explaining how contributions to churches or ministries equate to giving to God. It's emphasized that while God doesn’t need material gifts, supporting the work of the kingdom is a mean to fulfill God's commandments and receive blessings. The conversation calls on individuals to be intentional investors in God’s work, reflecting on how such actions not only bring joy but also immense blessings.

The video goes on to debunk the common misconception that Christianity equates to poverty. Through biblically cited scenarios and narratives, it's shown that Jesus and his disciples, contrary to popular belief, were financially stable. This revelation underlines that wealth is not contrary to Christian values, rather, it's how one uses their resources to support the mission of the church that counts.

Concluding with a call to action, the video urges viewers to step up and partner with ministries. It highlights that giving should be part of one’s spiritual practice, emphasizing Jesus's teachings on wealth, generosity, and faith. Salifou Ministries encourages believers to be givers, instrumental in spreading the light and dismantling darkness in the world through their resources.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:30: Introduction and Importance of Giving The chapter introduces the topic of financial giving within the context of religious teachings. The speaker emphasizes the importance of revisiting previous discussions on what the Bible says about financial blessings. The concept of 'giving' is highlighted as a significant practice in the house of God, suggesting its spiritual and material value.
• 01:30 - 03:00: Giving to God and Ministry The chapter explores the concept of giving to God and the ministry. It addresses the common misconception that giving to a church doesn't equate to giving to God. The text emphasizes that churches and ministries are representations of God's kingdom on Earth, and by supporting them, one is contributing to God's work. Consequently, giving to these institutions is a way of honoring and serving God.
• 03:00 - 05:00: Blessings through Giving The chapter discusses the concept of giving as a form of spiritual blessing rather than a necessity for the divine. It emphasizes that while God does not require gifts from mankind, the act of giving is valuable for the giver in receiving blessings from God. It highlights the immediate nature of the decision to give, suggesting that one should act on their feelings of generosity without overthinking or extensive deliberations.
• 05:00 - 07:00: Supporting Ministries and Pastors This chapter, titled 'Supporting Ministries and Pastors,' emphasizes the importance of mutual support and encouragement within ministry work. It highlights a reciprocal relationship where individuals back each other, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. The chapter recognizes the envy that some may feel towards this success but attributes blessings to adhering to divine principles, stressing that such envy is unwarranted. The overall message is one of affirmation and celebration of rightful blessings achieved through following spiritual guidelines and supporting one another consistently.
• 07:00 - 09:00: Commandment to Preach and Support In the chapter titled 'Commandment to Preach and Support,' the speaker encourages listeners to partner and support the ministry. There is a focus on the collective effort required in the kingdom of God, highlighting that everyone has a role to play. The emphasis is on a particular minister called to preach the gospel, stressing Jesus' call for them to fulfill their purpose. This reflects a broader call to action for individuals to step up and collaborate in spreading the ministry's message.
• 09:00 - 11:00: Parable of the Talents The chapter discusses the idea that God may place individuals in unpleasant situations as part of a larger process. It is important to remain faithful and supportive, even in these challenging times. The narrator shares a personal commitment to financially support a pastor in Africa consistently, highlighting a dedication to help pastors who are eager to serve but may lack financial resources. This act of support is presented as a way to continue ministry work until a divine change occurs.
• 11:00 - 13:00: The Joy of Giving The chapter titled 'The Joy of Giving' references the teachings of Jesus, specifically citing the Book of Mark, Chapter 16, Verse 15. This verse is highlighted as a central message in the conversation, though the specific content of the verse is not detailed in the transcript. The emphasis is on the importance of understanding and knowing what is being discussed, reflecting on the teachings of Jesus about giving and joy.
• 13:00 - 18:00: Wealth of Jesus and His Ministry In this chapter titled 'Wealth of Jesus and His Ministry,' the focus is on a passage from the Bible. Jesus instructs his disciples to actively preach the gospel across all lands. He emphasizes not being lazy and encourages them to spread the teachings everywhere under heaven. The narrative underscores the imperative to go forth and share the faith, highlighting a proactive mission in Jesus' ministry.
• 18:00 - 23:30: Biblical Foundation and Teaching on Wealth The chapter begins by referencing the biblical passage from the book of Mark, chapter 16, verse 15, where Jesus commands his followers to "go and preach the gospel to every creature." The emphasis here is on the urgency and importance of spreading the gospel, as it is a direct command from Jesus. The chapter discusses this teaching's application to wealth, emphasizing the duty of every believer to use their resources responsibly in fulfilling this command. However, it also recognizes that not everyone may feel equipped to handle this mandate, implying a need for personal growth and reliance on faith in executing this divine instruction.
• 23:30 - 29:00: Explanation of the Eye of the Needle This chapter discusses the concept of fulfilling the commandment to preach the gospel to every nation as mentioned in the Bible. It emphasizes that even if one cannot physically go to different nations, they can still contribute to spreading the gospel through financial support to ministries. By supporting such ministries, individuals are effectively participating in the global mission of preaching the gospel, thereby adhering to God's commandment.

Giving Part 2 Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Welcome to Ministry Moment. I am so glad you joined as we talk about money and finances. If you didn't catch last week's message, you need to go back and listen to it because we really talked about just the approach to what the Bible says about financial blessing. Amen. And I think it's important that you get that as we jump into the word today. I think giving giving I say giving in the house of God important or giving to you know uh a
• 00:30 - 01:00 ministry or you know a church and maybe giving to God some because I need to clarify that I know sometimes that that's that's a mistake when giving to a church right they go they don't get the blessing right well and all right we give to God but God set up a church or ministry representing God, the heaven, the kingdom of God. So through that
• 01:00 - 01:30 institution or um that ministry, God is receiving it and God is going to bless you for it. So I I said something last time I said I said to you know last week or maybe the week before whatever week it was God does not God does not need gifts from mankind. It's impossible to say give God. Yes. I mean, come on now. So, so we don't need to pray 24 hours before to make a decision. No. I say, "Honey, if you sense this that, you
• 01:30 - 02:00 know, that's what we need to do, let's go for it. I'm behind you." And the same thing she does for me, too. So, and that's why we are a blessed people. I'm going to be and I'm not going to apologize for that. And some people can envy you for they are they envy for nothing, right? because we are just just taking advantage on principles that God set in place for our own blessings. Period. You
• 02:00 - 02:30 can do the same thing. That's what we asking you. I know we are challenging every person to step up to partner with us because there's so much that we do in the kingdom of God. And uh for example, we just decided that you know, I believe uh uh uh study this month that there's a minister that they they they are called to do ministry or to preach the gospel and Jesus has called them to do
• 02:30 - 03:00 ministry. But sometime God will put you in a place that is not pleasant. But all of that is part of the process. So when that was brought to my attention, I say and I pray we pray about I felt by the spirit of God to support that pastor to pay his salary in Africa every month until Jesus return until Jesus changed that. So we are making a lot of commitment to support pastors because there's a lot of pastors today they are willing to go to the field because
• 03:00 - 03:30 remember when Jesus says I know we talking about this earlier Jesus told us book of Mark chapter 10 I'm going to read this uh book of Mark chapter 16 verse verse 15 book of Mark chapter 16 verse verse 15 you know uh the Bible says is book of Mark chapter 16 verse 15 I'm going to read this so you know you got everybody know to what we are saying
• 03:30 - 04:00 here uh now I know look you know verse 14 so it's a taste is yummy very beautiful you know but let's go to verse 15 and Jesus says he said he said to the disciples he said you go he said don't be lazy you got to go to preach the gospel all All right. It say, "Go ye uh go go ye into every place under the heaven and preach the gospel to every
• 04:00 - 04:30 book of Mark chapter 16 verse 15. It say you go and preach the gospel to every creature." All right. It say you go and preach the gospel. There's no you know there there's there's no no more excuse. Jesus said you go. It is a command from Jesus. Now let me be honest. Not everybody has uh capability
• 04:30 - 05:00 uh uh to go to every nation to preach the gospel. You can be in your nation and the same time by your giving you can go you are going to preach the gospel. the fact that you are supporting a ministry who is going on your behalf. So you you are fulfilling this commandment from God. Yeah. Well, and that's supported by because the Bible says he who receives the name or
• 05:00 - 05:30 receives a prophet in the name of a prophet receives a prophet's reward. So if you give in the name of to preach the gospel around the world, you're going to receive that reward. Amen. Amen. That's that's how very important how how how serious is this this topic very very awesome. So well any ministry that you support don't think you are wasting your money. You are the fact that you are obeying or fulfilling commandment from
• 05:30 - 06:00 God. He's going to bless you. Yeah he he can not to bless you. Listen to this. God cannot because he doesn't want to violate his own commandment his law. Well, and you think about that like when you partner with uh Salofu Ministries and your your giving is helping then to fund a pastor preaching the gospel in Africa. So that means you get a part of that reward for every soul that's saved
• 06:00 - 06:30 from that. You're helping support the orphanage where kids are being learning about Jesus and being trained up. You get a part in that eternal reward in heaven. You know, you know, I I I just Holy Spirit just spoke something to me. I have a number. Maybe I'm going to I'm going to just call him and say, "Fund me at least 10 pastors who are struggling financially, you know, so we can invest uh you know." Yeah. So we can I just I just saw 10 pastors for now. We'll see
• 06:30 - 07:00 how that goes. 10 pastor just to support Yeah. you know, pay their salary every month so they can go to the field to preach the gospel. So, if you want to be part of this, I know we we take care of the orphanage, you know, uh we the summer we we sponsor a crusade, whatever you want to if we have a graphic too that tells people how to give. Okay? So, if you want to be part of this, I want to encourage you pray about this. You are not wasting your money. Just do it because Jesus is telling you to do it. You may not be able to travel to Togo to
• 07:00 - 07:30 preach the gospel. But through your giving to Sal's ministry, you are going with us and we must preach the gospel. It is a commandment. It's not optional. It say you must go to preach to announce good news, not bad news. Good news. That means that hey, it is good. Everything is good, you know. Well, and that's that is what uh that's what God did, right? He invested in us and put us in the world. He's a businessman. He's a busy He expects a good return. I love this.
• 07:30 - 08:00 Well, in so many levels and I'll for sake of time I'm going to paraphrase is this but you you can read this um it's Matthew 25, right? Is the parable I think um of let me make sure I'm saying that right because but anyway it's the parable um it is Matthew 25 um starting in verse 14. So it talks about the wealthy man leaving, right? And he has three servants and he leaves um them each with a different amount of money,
• 08:00 - 08:30 right? According to their abilities and the first two they invest what was given to them. All of us are given from God wealth, a level of ability and we have a responsibility. God will hold us accountable for what we do with that. Um ver starting in verse 14 it says again the kingdom of heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants
• 08:30 - 09:00 and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. Verse 15. Yeah. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the le the last dividing it in proportion to their abilities. And then he left on his trip. So, I'm going to stop there and not read the rest. But go read the whole thing. It's it'll help you. But he gave them different amounts according to their ability. You know, the same is true when we're talking about finances. God blesses us at a
• 09:00 - 09:30 different level based on what he's called us to do. But he expects, he's a good businessman. He expects us to invest that money to make a difference. So that could be investing in getting the gospel preached around the world, investing in helping the poor, investing in your local church that you're planted in to help them equip people to do the work of the ministry, right? You are called to be an investor. God made you to be an investor. And remember the last
• 09:30 - 10:00 servant, he was like, I'm afraid. I'm afraid if I give, I'm gonna lose it. I'm afraid, right? I he was in fear and fear kept him from using his God-given ability and God-given finances to produce an increase and a harvest which by the way it was the expectation of the master. So in other the expectation of God in the kingdom is that you produce a harvest. Amen. He was mad at the last
• 10:00 - 10:30 servant for not producing a harvest because of fear. He hid it away. And so what he had was taken away from him and it was given to the person who had the most. He said, "Because you know how to invest. Because you know how to get a return on what I've given to you, I'm going to give you more." Amen. Amen. And I that was me though cuz I I'm a giver. I want to keep giving. I'm going to give. So don't get mad when people get blessed. And so because I want to be
• 10:30 - 11:00 blessed. I want Jesus. I want God to count on me. Yeah. If there's a need somewhere. I want God to knock my door, to call me my cell phone. Hey, help. So, I want to be able to answer the call and be a blessing. What a way to live our life. Amen. You know, to partner with God and to keep making the difference, folks. Nothing like it. See, giving set you free. Amen. You know it makes it say something about about a person who love
• 11:00 - 11:30 to give. Yeah. You know giving brings joy. You want to be joyful be a giver. Period. It's true. Because because when the f see the devil hates you want to be the enemy the devil's enemy. You must be a giver because he hates giving. Devil doesn't like it. Lucifer doesn't like it because it is a see your giving. It is a giving in the kingdom of God. It is a weapon to destroy the works of darkness.
• 11:30 - 12:00 Because when you give into the work of God when the gospel is preached, you know what you what is taking place? You are removing darkness in that region. You are you are changing light. People's eyes are open so they see the light. You are changing communities or people region or nations. That's what he said. Also given it is a fruit of righteousness. If see your oh blessed be
• 12:00 - 12:30 God. I'm getting excited about it. Your giving you know a give a giver. Your giving God giving in the house of God is connected to the fruit of righteousness. Yeah. That's what the scripture says. Giving is the fruits of righteousness. There's a lot to say about this. So I know I got to just calm down so we can dive a little bit more into this subject. But what what I know
• 12:30 - 13:00 for sake of time we need to do part three, honey. Well, yeah. Well, this is not enough. We may go to part 25. We we see how it goes. you know, you want you want to read Well, there's so much I'm like, you know, there's I I do want to say just really quickly though that, you know, the book of James um and and again because I know we don't have time to go into this in detail, but in the book of James, he talks about how look, if you say you have faith, but you don't have works, you're lying because your faith
• 13:00 - 13:30 should produce works. Yeah, part of that is, in other words, good deeds, giving to the poor, helping those in need. And I have a whole teaching that I've never I know we were talking before this I didn't get to just on what the Bible says about the blessings of giving to the poor. And do you know that it was part of Jesus's normal activities to give to the poor? Because in at the last supper when Judas left the disciples
• 13:30 - 14:00 just thought, "Oh, he went to go give money to the poor because that was normal of what Jesus did." C can you repeat that one more time? Somebody need to hear this. Yeah. So when Judas left at the at the supper um last supper, the other disciples just thought, "Oh, he's going to go give money to the poor." Because that was normal out of Jesus's treasury. He normally had them go and give money to help the poor. It was part
• 14:00 - 14:30 of what he did as part of his ministry on the earth. Are you telling me or everyone has listened to this that Jesus was is not a broke person? He was not a broke person. I know some people believe, we need to explain that. Some people believe that Jesus was poor. You know, there's a statement Jesus made that the son of man has no what is it? Couch to to sleep. That's my own translation. You know what I'm saying? People out of that people just the enemy, you know, has, you know, deceived
• 14:30 - 15:00 so many people. They they use that. Oh, that's why, you know, Christians or believers should never have anything. that having money is something wrong with it. No, they take that one scripture which you could explain but it doesn't and they disregard all of the other scriptures that you know here's the thing you think about this. Just think about the birth of Jesus. Yeah, that's beautiful picture right there. It is. So Jesus Well, he's actually in a
• 15:00 - 15:30 house. He's a king. King of W. He's a what? The son of son of David. Yeah. You know who David is, right? a king. A king very wealthy. So he was so loaded financially. When he was a small child in a house, a huge caravan of very wealthy people came bringing an an abundance of finances to Jesus, right? Gold, frankincense, and myrr. It wasn't just like, oh, three
• 15:30 - 16:00 people and here's a thing of gold. Here's a thing. No, no, no, no. Remember now, I want you to think about this, okay? These were very, very wealthy people who knew the prophetic word. In fact, and I've shared this before, most likely they had heard the prophecies of Daniel about the coming Messiah. Now, they understood they were wealthy, wise men, and they understood the honor that you give to a king. Sometimes we lose that in our western culture because we
• 16:00 - 16:30 don't understand kings. But a wealthy wise man from another country would not come travel all of that distance and hand a king. They were coming to honor who they knew was the Messiah, the King of Kings. They wouldn't have come to honor him with one little thing of gold. One No, no, no, no, no. They understood who this person was and they were coming to show great honor and worship. There
• 16:30 - 17:00 was an abundance of wealth. If you understand not not only history, but you just understand how you would honor a king, it it wasn't just a little bit. That's what that's why some of the kingdom before you go to see the king, they're going to ask you what do you have in your hand? And not only if it's not sufficient, they won't let you see the king. Yeah. Yeah. Now you can you can plead if you don't have enough power, enough give, they won't let you do that because you are dishonoring the
• 17:00 - 17:30 king if you go with a small like a you know and Jesus is Jesus is really was so nice that very expensive that the soldiers gambled for his clothing. Now come on now. I I know what I'm wearing. Nobody's going to gamble or be like, "Man, I've got to have her clothes." It was so It was really nice. But it was so nice that they were like, "Yeah, this we got to have this." And you know, and I mentioned this last week, but Jesus had
• 17:30 - 18:00 a staff Mhm. of 12. He paying them though that he it's not it's not free voluntary and they traveled all over the place and he had to feed them everywhere they go. You know, there's a few, you know, and also they they none of them was a broke person. Yeah. That they don't have money or they don't have stuff. They people people that you study the disciple of Jesus. Yeah. And check them out. Study them out. The these are
• 18:00 - 18:30 the these are people who are well, okay, financially. They were loaded financially. They they have a wife, they have children, they have companies that they left. Now listen to this. I'm we're going to read I believe Mark uh book of Mark chapter Jesus mean Mark chapter 10. Uhhuh. So u book of Mark Mark chapter 10 verse 29 30th. Powerful statement. I
• 18:30 - 19:00 want you to listen to this very carefully. The disciple of Jesus were not none of them was a broke person. They don't have nothing. They these are people who are financially established. Mhm. Okay. They have a children. They have a family. They have loved one. They have company that they have to take care of. Yeah. All right. So listen to this. So Jesus Jesus is saying this. I'm gonna Can I have you read? Sure. Yeah. Sure. It says, "And Jesus answered and said,
• 19:00 - 19:30 verily I say unto you, there is no man that has left house or brethren or sisters or fathers or mothers or wife or children or lands for my sake in the Gospels, but he shall receive hundfold." 100fold. Wait a second. Now, let's watch. Let's look at this really closely. 100fold. Let's keep that script on the screen now. Today. Today. No. In this time. No. Are you sure that in this time? That is
• 19:30 - 20:00 a Japanese. It didn't say in heaven. It said now in this time and today houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecution and and in the world to come eternal life. Wow. So uh no. Are you sure that's what is in your Bible? That's what it says. That's what it say. Positive. There's another scripture too I wanted to share. Okay. Hold on. No, before before you you read your your you know your scripture
• 20:00 - 20:30 now let's go to let's go up to verse 25 and I'm going to read that's the scripture that people have have used to deceive a lot of people. All right. Okay. Let's do Can I Can I have you read 25? Oh, that's what you want to read or what is it? That's what That's what Let's see. Okay. All right. So, Mark 10:25. Yes. This is what I was going to read. Okay. All right. Go ahead. All right. It is easier for a camel to go
• 20:30 - 21:00 Oh, go ahead. Just finish that. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Okay. All right. But now, does it go on? Let's go to Let's read verse 26, the next verse. Yes. All right. Next verse. I had it in Matthew. That's where I was reading from. Okay. The disciples were astounded. Then who in the world can be saved? They asked. Okay. Well, let me
• 21:00 - 21:30 explain this. Go ahead. All right. So, this is so exciting, right? All right. So, the eye of the needle was the city gate. Um, what they would do is they would close. That's that's beautiful. Okay. Can can you can you can you put the ISO camera on her so she can really explain this? We have to die, right? I to be there. So, so what hap what would happen is at night they would close the city gate. No. Can you start over, honey? What? Oh, okay. All right. Go, go ahead. Go ahead. I know. I want
• 21:30 - 22:00 you to explain because the the Bible said the truth will set people free. Yeah. Because I know what you are that statement it an anointing. Explain this so that we can explain what it has to do with wealth. Right. All right. So the eye of the needle was when they they would close the city gate so that people couldn't just like invade at night. And so then if you were wealthy and had your camels loaded, you would have to take all the stuff off of the camel so the camel could get through what was called the eye of the needle, which was to get into the city gate. And
• 22:00 - 22:30 so he's saying, look, entering in, it's hard for a wealthy person like getting through that eye of the needle. And the disciples were like, "Oh my goodness, then who could be saved?" Because they were wealthy. Yes. And they were like, "Oh my goodness, Lord, if you're saying that it's hard, it's very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven because it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than
• 22:30 - 23:00 that, then who can be saved?" Because we're very wealthy. That's why we're like, "Oh my goodness, who can be saved then?" If they were poor, they would have been like, "Yay, we're going to get into the kingdom easy." But they weren't. They were like, "Then who in the world can be saved?" In Matthew, this is how it says, "Then who in the world?" The disciples were astounded and they were like, "Then who in the world can be saved?" You know, they're ally. We need to make a movie out of this. And then and then God said, "Humanly speaking, it's
• 23:00 - 23:30 impossible, but with God, everything is possible." All right. You know what? I know for sake of time, we need to do part three. We our next program next week we need to serve from that statement.