"THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE"

By: Pastor Rick Bickelhaupt

"Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof or your love, and of our boasting on your behalf." - II Cor. 8:24
Greetings in the name of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I hope this newsletter finds you well, and blessed of God.
As we start the fall season, I am reminded of the harvesting of the land, and the blessings that the Lord showers down upon us. Such bounty can only come from a God that loves us very much. This beautiful earth, and the bounty that it produces, are" proofs" of His love.
A man proves his love to his wife, not in word only, but in actions. Children prove their love to their parents by the actions of obedience, kindness, and submission. If a persons states that they "love" some one or something, it will be demonstrated with appropriate actions. This also holds true for someone that may say that they love God. Their love, if it is genuine, will be demonstrated by an appropriate action.
The Scripture states in Deut. 6:5 "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." We are commanded to love God, and our fellowman. Love must be the motivating factor in the life of every believer. The Bible teaches that God so loved that He "gave". God put His love into action. He proved His love to us by sending His Son to die in our place. The Son proved His love to us and the Father by being obedient to the death of the cross. Love can only be shown by action.
In the case of the Macedonian church they proved their love to God by their efforts in giving. Every Christian must understand that others only know we love God when we act upon His Word. God knows we love Him when we act according to His Word living a life of obedience, keeping His commandments. The first thing we need to understand about the "Proof of our Love" is: WE PROVE OUR LOVE FOR GOD BY UNDERSTANDING GOD'S STEWARDSHIP PRINCIPLES - 2 Cor. 8:24 "Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."
The first thing we need to understand about God's stewardship principle is the aspect of the ownership of God. We need to remember, God owns everything. As a Christian we don't belong to ourselves, we belong to God. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's". Because of this, we prove our love to God, when we give back to Him and His work. When we give to Him our time, talent, and treasure, it is a proof of your love to the Lord.
Next we need to understand the principle of Stewardship. The word "stewardship" means to be a manager, or an overseer. God wants us to be faithful stewards! 1 Cor. 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful". My home, family, job, material possession, really don't belong to me, the Lord has merely made me an "overseer" of these things. Because of this, it is a lot easier to give these things to the Lord when He asks, because, they really don't belong to me anyway!
Next we need to remember the principle of "accountability" Each and every one of us will give account to the Lord as to what kind of stewards we were. Romans 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." 2 Cor. 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." When I remember that I will "give an account", it helps me to live right, and it helps me to prove my love to God, by my actions.
The second thing we need to understand about the "Proof of our Love" is: WE PROVE OUR LOVE FOR GOD BY PARTICIPATING IN GOD'S STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM. - 2 Cor. 8:5 "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." Participation in God's Stewardship program begins by giving our selves to God. What do you do with your time, talents, and treasure? Have you given yourself whole to the Lord? You see, when we have given ourselves to God, then we can give our possessions to Him. The church of Macedonia not only gave themselves to the Lord, but gave of their possessions to advance the cause of Christ
The third thing we need to understand about the "Proof of our Love is: WE PROVE OUR LOVE FOR GOD BY RECEIVING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD'S STEWARDSHIP PLAN - 2 Cor. 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." The greatest result of understanding and participating in God's stewardship plan is receiving the manifold blessings that God promises to good stewards. 2 Cor. 9:7-12 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: [9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. [10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) [11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. [12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;" When we give cheerfully, several things happens.
1). The Bible says that God loves a "cheerful giver", therefore you have the blessings of God's love. 2). Next you have the blessing of "All sufficiency in all things". The Scripture states that you may "abound to every good work:" , and you will have "all sufficiency" to complete the work. 3). Next you have the blessing of "Multiplied return". II Cor. 9:10 states: "Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)." This is what I believe Malachi 3:10 is referring to when it speaks of the "Windows of Heaven" being opened, and there wouldn't be room enough to receive it. This is "Multiplied Return. Luke 6:38 states: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." - Once again, "Multiplied Return". 4). Next, you have the blessing of causing others to be thankful to God - II Cor. 9:11. And lastly, 5). II Cor. 9:12 states that the needs of other Christians, we prove our love to God by being good stewards, and He proves His love to us by His manifold blessings. No Christian knows the real joy of being a child of God until he becomes a good steward. Understanding God's stewardship principles is an absolute must for every believer. Until we fully understand them we cannot comprehend God's will for our lives. Every Christian should seek to understand, begin to participate, and then he will see the true blessings of God on his life.

Because of Calvary,


Pastor Rick Bickelhaupt