Connected Giving How do you know where someone’s heart is? Find out where their money goes. Not just any money, though, the money that is discretionary. The guy that’s into fishing probably has some investment in gas to get to wherever the fish are, and then the gear to entice and extract them from their abode. Where shoes have captured the heart there will be evidence residing in the closet. And, the match made in heaven, where hearts are swooning over each other, usually has accompanying bank accounts that validate and verify the legitimacy of the swoons. Claiming passion for anyone or anything is not enough. There must also be a treasure investment of not only resources, but also time, energy and companionship. When there is a need for a heart change, intentional investment in another direction can accomplish that change. The game that is played most successfully is the one where the investment is the greatest. To know if there is a heart after God, then, follow the treasure trail. Throughout the Old Testament, especially, there was a great deal of investing going on. Any time there was a need to establish or validate that God was their God, sacrifices would be offered to Him. Much more than just obedience to a requirement, this was effectively revealing where the heart was. David, the man after God’s own heart, insisted on having a personal stake in an offering’s value, …”I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing." 1 Chronicles 21:24. Abraham had a similar approach to the first offering of a tenth given to the King of Salem. This would establish a standard, but certainly not a limit of connecting a heart with the most Holy God, as David would demonstrate, far exceeding any fractional calculation in 1 Chronicles 29. God Himself would then provide the ultimate heart commitment example in giving the greatest of treasures to secure our hearts. The connection of heart to Christ and His body, then, will be greatly affected by where its treasures lie. This will be evident in a measure of material worth. However, this will also be established in the investments of time, energy, and companionship. As these are continually being given to something and someone, what and who gets the greatest worth in these areas will also determine where the heart lies. How very critical it is for these heart connections to be secured in an eternal foundation. As Solomon would prove, investments in others places brings great risk of losing the security of unity with the Almighty. Notes The heart is connected to its treasure Matthew 6:19-21 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Abraham recognized source of all - gives first tenth Genesis 14:20 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all. Secured heart connection in joyful unlimited offering 1 Chronicles 29:14-19 14 But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You. 15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope. 16 “O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. 17 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. 19 And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.” The degree of connection is determined by the degree of investment 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. In all – connection opportunity – either flesh or the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-10 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Invested time in companionship Psalms 1:1-2 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Choice of relationships – affected heart connection. 1 Corinthians 15:33 33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character. Connected Purpose 1 Corinthians 12:25 25 So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. Jesus’ Passion John 17:23 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Overview: Where the heart is connected is where its invested. The degree that the investment is made is the degree the connection is secured an is effective. In addition to material treasures, the value of time, energy and companionship is either invested in the flesh or the Spirit. Heart connection is a continual option and opportunity. The reward in unity far outweighs the world’s options. Prayer: I am so grateful for the giving of Your greatest treasure to make a heart connection with me. I desire for that investment to have a great return in my heart and life. I set my heart now to be connected in all things by investing in the treasure of You. Secure me in this heart commitment. Declarations: I am loved, cared for, and invested in by my Father God with the greatest of treasures. All that is within my care is provided by God and an opportunity for heart connection to the degree I invest it in Him. I commit the treasures of my time, energy, passion and relationships to eternal rewards of the Spirit. With each giving of my heart’s treasuress there is fulfilling of Jesus’ passion for connection in unity.