Generosity
/Dearest Ones,
Today I want to commend you for going beyond the call of duty to excel in character development, and for pushing forward in the judgment and cleansing process in every area that I bring to your attention. At the same time you are keeping up with your daily duties and responsibilities in the strength that I give you each day. You are workers that need not to be ashamed when the Master calls for an accounting of your labors, and you will certainly receive your reward.
Now for the topic of today. I want to discuss the subject of generosity with you. Do you recall the parable of the workers in the vineyard [Matt. 20:1-16]? The master of the vineyard was thought to be unfair because he gave to everyone the same wages at the end of the day. But this is the way I deal with the workers in my vineyard! Those who accept my salvation receive all that I have to give. The fruits of the Spirit are available to anyone who accepts me as their Savior and lets me live in their heart. Each one who does this receives love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, and all the other aspects of character that can satisfy the deepest needs of your soul. I am no respecter of persons, and I do not give less to some and more to others. All are invited to come and partake freely of my bounties.
Then why do some who claim my name seem to have more of these attributes than others? It is simply that some drink more deeply from the fountain of my love for them than do others. As the parable said, I am generous. But the amount you receive will be in direct proportion to the amount of time you spend with me, and the amount of self you lay aside and make room for the working of my Spirit in your life. In the parable, the 11th hour workers received the same pay because they manifested the same ardor, devotion, and self-sacrifice that I expected from the first hour workers. But notice that the first workers were jealous and complaining about my generosity of giving to everyone alike. This act was a test for them, and showed the selfishness of their hearts and their motivation to earn their wages, rather than to please the master. So it will be in the last generation. Many who are lost will come to me and say, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Matt. 7:22, 23.
The point of this is that it is not works that please me. It is works that are done in love for me and others that please me. Yes, demons can be cast out by the power of my name because demons fear and tremble when my name is used against them. But they will come back with greater force and power when the person is unaware and least expecting it because they have not kept up a relationship with me, and therefore lack the infilling of the Holy Spirit to prevent their reentry. [Matt. 12:43-45.]
Casting out demons is no assurance of salvation or spiritual purity and oneness with me. In the end of time Satan will work with deceptive power to do miracles which are designed to capture the minds of people and confuse them as to who has the truth and the signet of heaven's approval. Do not be tempted or deceived by the manifestation of power to do miracles, even among persons from your own denomination. "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
But what does fruit bearing and miracles have to do with the subject of generosity? It is because of my love for you that I want to give you every good gift that will meet your needs physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Because you are living in a sinful world where iniquity and suffering abounds, it is not possible for you to receive the perfection of all good things here and now. But when you are wedded to me and have an ongoing personal relationship with me, I will give you everything you need to accomplish my work and experience all that it is possible for you to have here.
Then why do some people seem to receive more bountifully from me than others?
"You have not because you ask not." James. 4:3.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:7, 8.
Fruit bearing is the result of the life of a Christian who is truly connected to me. If you are vitally connected to me you cannot help but bear fruit. But beware! People can appear to bear fruit and do good deeds from selfish motives, for they are looking for the reward of blessings and eternal life as a payment for their works. In other words, anticipation of the reward is their chief motivation. But true generosity comes from the influence of the Holy Spirit in you, and the outflowing of the fruits of the Spirit through you to others. The first hour workers should have been blessed and happy that my generosity gave the same pay to the 11th hour workers as they themselves had received! So it is now that the work on earth is closing up, and many will come to the light that you have received concerning the judgment, the blotting out of sin, the sealing, and the latter rain. Rejoice with me that people around the globe are responding to the call of my Spirit and are coming to join the ranks and make the preparation that is needed to give the loud cry. Your reward is that you have had many years to walk with me and know me. And your reward will also be the joy of seeing the bountiful harvest of souls that your hard labors have made possible.
So open up your hearts and see the multitudes that are gathering from all nations who love me as much as you do, and want to be a part of the 11th hour workers who help to give the loud cry around the world. Their coming precedes my triumphant return to earth to welcome my loved ones home. Great will be your reward in heaven for your devotion and generosity in opening up your arms of love to receive my chosen ones from all nations who will also go through the closing events and receive the reward of eternal life together with you! I will reward you as co-partners with me in the final harvest of the earth.
Now go to the activities of your day, but let me flow my generosity and love through you to everyone you meet and associate with each day. Your reward will be the happiness and joy you spread to all around you, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are co-workers with me. And the cup of happiness that you give to others will return back to you, pressed down and running over, for gifts that are shared are gifts that are multiplied. Lovingly, Jesus.
