In the past month God has challenged me – about my finances, my future and, most of all, my faith in him and his will. When the building fund was announced I thought I had a perfect amount to give – not too much and not too little – just enough for me to still live comfortably for the months to come. God, on the other hand, had different plans. The next Sunday Heinz spoke about the Kingdom of God and giving until it hurts; about giving with the next generation in mind.
I felt God was speaking to me so clearly that night and heard Him say to double the amount I was initially going to give! “It is a privilege and blessing that I get to give you a salary every month. In actual fact, every cent you earn belongs to me,” I felt him say.
Immediately I made the decision to double the amount. In my time working for the government, I have never received an increase, but last week I was told I would be receiving three – a merit performance increase, a higher salary and back pay!
My testimony is not that you need to give expecting to receive... NO, it is about prioritising your life! Everything to do with Christ and extending the Kingdom of God is always, and should always, come FIRST.
To live a wild and adventurous life can mean many things – from planting a church in the middle of Canada to going to Asia. But Christ has placed us in this amazing church for this season and what better way to live a fulfilled, adventurous life by building His bride!
My testimony... is the utter joy of knowing that I do not live for myself, and that God didn’t need my money but chose to use me, a sinner who didn’t deserve salvation let alone blessings. He chose me for the good of building His Kingdom. This testimony has shown me that “greater is he that is in me then he that is in the world” and that when you seek the Kingdom of God everything else will follow!
Anthea Shanmugam