Like Abraham in Genesis 13:17, the Holy Spirit is calling the IPHC to Arise to Mission through the year 2026. This is part of the larger vision of Arise 2033 as we seek to do our part in sharing the gospel with more nations, people groups, and languages. There are four themes in Arise to Mission that taken together help us fulfill the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

ARISE TO MISSION DEVOTIONAL

Practice

Luke 14:13-14

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be paid at the resurrection of the just.”

The popular so-called “prosperity gospel” is fatally flawed in numerous ways. Chief among them relates to the motive with which people should give. The emphasis of this pseudo-gospel is the idea that material resources can be exchanged for greater material and financial blessings. Often these “prophets for profit” imply (or openly declare) that the more one gives the more he or she will be financially blessed.

Have you ever noticed that these types of leaders always want you to plant your seed in their soil? (If the formula truly works, shouldn’t they be giving instead of always receiving?) One of the outcomes some of these teachers propose is the “hundred-fold heresy” which is based on a faulty application of Mark 10:30. The extreme version of this teaching insists that if people give a dollar, they can anticipate receiving $ 100 back. If they give $ 10, they can expect $ 1,000 in return. 

On the contrary, the context of Mark 10:21-30 indicates the rewards offered both “in this time” and “in the age to come” is inclusion in the new family of God, which is greater than any material possessions. The rich young ruler walked away from this opportunity, but anyone may embrace this invitation to becoming a part of the fellowship of Christ.

When the prosperity “gospel” becomes the motivation, the offering plate is turned into a slot machine where giving occurs only for the benefit of receiving a greater return. These tactics appeal to a carnal heart of greed more than a Christ-like spirit of generosity. Jesus instructed His followers to give to others “expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). He then promised them that their “reward will be great.” In the opening text of this devotion the Savior admonished us to give to those who do not have the ability to repay us (Luke 14:13-14). 

Those who do not practice what the Lord taught in this regard are only giving for a “return” on their investment. On the contrary, those who generously give in obedience are expecting only one return – the coming of their King who will have His reward with Him when He appears to the faithful (Revelation 22:12).

Clearly, because we practice such generosity, eternity will be different – for us and for others.