Faith Promise pt. 3

There are ways to mess this up. They all go back to one basic problem: We want to set the amount instead of allowing God to set it. Some set the amount too small. Maybe they know the amount that they should promise, but they are afraid that God won't be able to do it, so they set an amount that they could give so they can keep from embarrassing God. In doing so, they eliminate the faith part of the faith promise. They are blessed for giving, but they miss the blessing of trusting in God's provision.

Some name a crazy high amount. This is usually in response to an emotional appeal, especially if there is public declaration of the faith promise. I remember a few years ago during a faith promise service a person waving a card proclaiming a faith promise of $10,000 per month because he knew that if other members of the church would fund his business venture, he could give that amount and more. Needless to say, he hadn't heard that from God, no one invested in his business venture, and he was not able to fulfill his $10,000 per month faith promise even one month. He was heavy on the faith element, but short on the promise.

God is infinite and He can and does do whatever He chooses to do. But typically he doesn't ask someone to promise an amount that is totally unrelated to that person's life. Usually He doesn't use someone who makes $60,000 to give $1,000,000. He can do that if He chooses, but He normally will ask us to promise an amount that makes us uncomfortable. If you feel you may be hearing an amount that is larger than you would come up with on your own, it may be a faith promise amount. But don't promise it in haste. Meditate and pray about it. It might be just what God wants you to promise. He might raise it as you get comfortable with the amount. You may have been thinking out of emotion. I have been in situations where I have been stirred up by tremendous testimonies and emotional appeals. One night Carole asked me how much I thought we should give. My response was, "Any amount up to all of it." That is a healthy response, but the check was written for less. We still had to get back home and take care of other previous commitments.

The important thing about faith promise giving is not the amount. The important thing about faith promise giving is that it is given out of your faith and not out of your budget. You will be blessed and you will grow in your trust in God. And your life will reflect it.