GODLINESS PAYS!

UPSIDE DOWN
So many of the principles of that Jesus taught turn the ways of the world upside down!

And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Acts 20:35

How can it be more blessed to give than receive? Shouldn't we strive to get all we can, chase our own dreams and accumulate wealth. Even in the church, these ideals are often espoused.

God created us to give! What a different world if, instead of striving to have our way and fight for our "personal rights," we channeled our energy into giving!

Here are just a few of the ways man's ways are diametrically opposed to God's ways:

Manmade Principles              Jesus Principles
Take                                         Give
Me first                                     God first
Rule                                          Serve
Accumulate for self                  Disperse to the needy              
Lie to protect self interests      Admit the truth
It costs to serve God               IT PAYS TO SERVE GOD!

Paul told Timothy that GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE!


For bodily exercise profits a little, but GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL THINGS, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:8

This is not intended in the sense used by many modern preachers - that God wants us to have the best of everything and live on earth in extravagant, luxurious comfort!

God will certainly meet our needs and beyond but the profit in serving God is not primarily in material wealth. In fact, too much abundance and wealth is often more detrimental than beneficial to us!

In the same letter to Timothy, Paul warns of the dangers of overabundance!

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:6-10

Godliness is not about accumulating wealth but it is profitable!

You cannot lose by serving and obeying God - you can only win! Giving God's way does not cost - IT PAYS!

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38