Pioneer Operating Budget
Gardening is fun if you know what you’re doing. When I first heard about pruning, I thought this was harming the poor plant. When you prune fruit-bearing plants you will stimulate the production of more flowers which will, in turn, develop into fruits. Also, pruning reduces the number of stems, branches, and leaves that may be competing for the resources which are needed to produce fruit.
Likewise, giving to the Lord our time, talents, temple, treasure, and our testimony is like pruning. What logically sounds as if it’s taking away from us, is really allowing us to bear more fruit for God’s glory. The more we cut away from personal use and give it to God, the more He multiplies what we gave Him.
We must remember that the giving must keep pace with the prospering hand of God. In other words, God will prosper you and raise your income or give you some other forms of blessings to meet the needs of His work.
We should also increase the gifts we return as God's blessings increase. No one can outgive God. His blessings are always greater than the gifts.
The reason God does this is because there’s a greater need in the church to reach more people for the kingdom. Let’s by faith answer the need and keep pace with the upswing in His blessings.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries