A couple years ago, I appeared on the “700 Club” where I shared my testimony about what God has taught me about giving over the years, and how He has blessed my obedience. The phone lines and email blew up at my company after the interview aired! The 700 Club said it was one of their most viewed stories.
I believe this is because there are so many Christians that just can’t seem to get a financial breakthrough. They find themselves in a depressing cycle of financial struggle. I truly believe that one of the reasons we are called to fast is for God’s provision in this area of our lives. In Matthew 6, praying, giving, and fasting are listed as spiritual disciplines that are not optional! Let’s dive in and talk about how giving and fasting are related. (To see my interview on the “700 Club” in its entirety, go to chantelrayway.com/700club.)
Matthew 6:2, 5, 16 (NIV)
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Giving is a topic that can put people on the defense. I have a lot of friends that are newer Christians and aren’t fully submitted to God in this area and they get a little uncomfortable with it. I always go back to Matthew 6, which talks about praying, giving, and fasting. I feel like these three things are a cord of three strands that can’t be easily broken. If you can get these three areas of your life dialed in and submit to the Lord, it will be life changing. If you are only doing one piece or two pieces, you are missing out on the power of all three.
