When we choose to partner with ministries whether it is with our time, talent or treasures, we need to understand that a fresh river of the Spirit begins to flow into your life and ministry.  As we’ll see below, if you give (partner) you will receive a “prophet’s reward”.  That is why it is important to take great consideration to whom I am giving.

Matthew 13:23 talks about a thirty, sixty and hundredfold return on the seed sown.  I believe the amount of return is in direct proportion to the seed sown, the soil it is sown in, and the care taken as the seed sprouts forth.  The seed is the time, talents or treasure (finances) given to a ministry or person.  Seed is any amount over the tithe (10%).  Since the tithe belongs to the Lord, I can’t give what doesn’t belong to me.  Over the tithe belongs to me.  I pay my tithe.  I give (sow) my seed.  The soil is the ministry or person.  And the care taken is the love, faith and prayer given over the ministry or person.

Questions to ask before we give is: 

1. Is my seed, which was righteously earned, given in faith and with joy?  This determines the quality of the seed.
2. Is the ministry or person full of integrity and truth, under godly authority and living their call for the kingdom of God?  This determines the quality of the soil.
3. Are we expecting a harvest on the seed sown?  A farmer sows a seed fully expecting a healthy crop.  Our expectation, faith, is what receives from heaven to have it manifested in the earth.       Matthew 7:20 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”  If we are not seeing good fruit, we need to change where we are sowing.

When we talk about partnership, we are talking about individuals coming together for a mutual cause.  I may not be able to personally go to the mission field but because I sow into that ministry, it is as though I have gone.  “Some plant, some water but it is God who makes it grow.”  The apostle Paul said that your giving causes increase to abound to your account.  Not his, yours. 

Phil 4:15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.  16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.  18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.  19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

Matthew 10:41 “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

1Ki 17:10; 18:4; 2Ki 4:8

2Chronicles 20:20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”  21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.”  22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.  23 For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.  24 So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.  25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.

“If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?  If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?  1Cor 9:11-12

If we are partners in the ministry, we are partners in the rewards.

“And, behold, I come quickly: and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”  Revelation 22:12

I’m not sure what all the rewards our Lord is bringing with Him for me but it going to be good!

“I can’t take it with me but I can send it on ahead!” Randy Alcorn

Also check out www.DaveRamsey.com  on Tithes, Offerings and Giving

Rule of Seed time and Harvest:  Unless a grain of wheat fall to the ground and die, it remains alone.  But if it does, it brings forth much fruit.  Your finances can be seed.  As long as they remain in your possession, “they remain alone”.  It’s when they die or are given away, out of your possession that they will bring forth much fruit.