Giving Upwards!

Many young people today, get entitled to be given by those higher than them. It might not be entitlement per se, but, it makes no logical sense — and I don’t blame their view — to give to someone who seems to have everything, or who doesn’t seem to need anything.

God has taught me however, that just like prophecy isn’t only knowing the future, but also the past, giving is not only downwards, or horizontally … but vertical too!

The Bible has instructed us to give to many people: the widows, orphans and the poor are mentioned times a many. But, the Bible doesn’t say “Don’t give to the rich, who you deem are doing far better than you are.”

Proverbs 19:6 says ‘many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.’ It’s one thing for your mother to be your mother. And it’s another for your mother or father to be your friend.

I’ve taken opportunities (like birthdays) to gift people who really don’t need these, but, after the receiving of them, seeing their smiles and shedding an unprecedented laughter evokes such joy that makes those in higher places bless you.

One time, I paid our home’s electric bill in advance. My mother rejoiced and knelt down. Then, in that moment, without a warning, said, “May God give you dollars, euros, pounds, yen and wealth unimaginable that you may never lack!”

Shockingly, a year before that, someone had prophesied the exact same thing while we prayed, but, you must understand that the matriarchal blessing far exceeds many others.

Who knows what went on or what she heard when she carried you in her womb! She’d be fulfilling a word God told her of you…

Rebekah, because of what she heard spoken of Jacob while he was in the womb, played such a critical role in ensuring he obtained the patriarchal blessing. She even did all the work — the cooking of food the way Isaac loved it — and this joyed him the more, causing him to release that blessing that ensured Jacob returned as a nation even when he fled with only a shepherd stick.

Additionally, in the category of giving to, Proverbs 21:14a says ‘a gift in secret pacifies anger…’ The word pacify means ‘to bring peace to (a place or situation) by ending war, fighting, violence, anger or agitation or to appease.

There are so many scenarios I’ve witnessed, where a parent and their child were in strife, with a great void between them.

I know of a friend who had never spoken to his father in 13 years. I’m not sure what happened between them, but the silence must have been because of something. Well, I recall him saying he sent his father a gift. I’m sure it wasn’t a hefty one — but his father called him; they talked, laughed, reconciled, and he gave him a chunk of land where he’s built his dream house… just like that.

Try this method to bridge the bonds of your broken relationships. Gifts are pacifiers…

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The younger people dislike giving to the rich people (or parents that seem well off), but they forget, that these same people have the connections they might need for that dream job. Proverbs 18:16 says ‘a gift makes room for its bringer, and brings him before great men.’

Giving only to your peers won’t quicken your progress. Those below sometimes can’t offer much. Those above you usually are in position to return the favor; or even if they don’t, who knows if you won’t appear in their will! Richer men can end up partitioning their inheritance to you! But even if this doesn’t happen, the general and bigger picture is to repent from the mindset and philosophy that your generosity is for a chosen few.

God has called you king! God has called you queen! Being generous to those above you is simply you exercising your right, your office and identity as royalty! And is anything too expensive for royalty! I highly doubt it!

The woman with the alabaster box, poured her oil worth a year’s wages on Jesus’ feet. (Now I’m not telling you to gift all your year’s salary away). I picture many people back in the day saying, “Who am I to dare get a gift for Jesus? I’m only a peasant, and He’s the son of God. He has all He needs.”

Well, Mary got her sins forgiven, and then, as extra reward, she won the favor and friendship of the Lord. When her brother died, guess who resurrected him?

Solomon would never give God anything that God needed, but — but God was moved! The attempt of the unreasonable prodigal sacrifice got God down His ladder from Heaven’s office to grant anything Solomon would ask for! Anything!

God has called you king! God has called you queen! Being generous to those above you is simply you exercising your right, your office and identity as royalty! And if God said you’d lend — not to one or two, but to MANY — nations, giving to those ‘richer than you’ is your faith’s work, elevating you above them all, to the level where you will be now the rescuer of fallen GDPs and restorer of breaches.

Happy exercising!