Last week we said, according to the Bible, that giving by itself, if it is not motivated by love and accompanied by a love-walk, will not benefit the giver. As it is written, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). More so, God hates that kind of giving that is devoid of love. As it is written elsewhere, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 15:8).
The profound relationship between profiting (materially) from our giving and love was first brought to my understanding in a dream in 2006. In that dream which I have recounted innumerable times, I was seated at a table between Joyce Meyer and Creflo Dollar. I remember telling Joyce Meyer that, “I would rather listen to you if you are preaching about love. But if it is to do with prosperity (financial), I would rather listen to Creflo Dollar.” Joyce Meyer then said to me that, “Young man, never separate love and prosperity.” Then I told her that, “You Joyce Meyer preach about love, and Creflo Dollar preaches about prosperity. But as for me, I will preach both.” Later in the same dream, I saw Joyce Meyer and Creflo Dollar standing under one umbrella because it was raining. I saw myself standing right behind them. (That dream came to me before Creflo Dollar stopped preaching about divine financial prosperity just as God had commissioned him)
By that dream, God gave me one of the key messages that would characterize my ministry. And that message was aptly put by Paul when He wrote that, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). Therefore, if we want God to accept our sacrifice of giving (Philippians 4:18), and to bless us financially because of it (2 Corinthians 9:7-8), let us not neglect love.
God bless you.