Apostle Allison Smith Conliff emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s kingdom with genuine passion and warns the congregation against hypocrisy and deceit in their spiritual lives. By referencing biblical figures like Ananias and Sapphira, the preacher highlights that true sacrificial giving must be done with a joyful heart rather than for public show. The sermon encourages believers to remain faithful through trials, suggesting that spiritual discipline and fasting lead to divine transformation and strength. Finally, it concludes with a prophetic exhortation for the audience to listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance and prepare for future challenges with unwavering faith.

Key Points:

Practicing deceit and giving with sacrificial gratitude lead to vastly different spiritual outcomes, ranging from severe divine judgment to the release of heavenly blessings and protection.

Deceit in a spiritual context, particularly regarding giving, is often motivated by a desire to impress others rather than honor God. The Apostle highlight the following consequences:

• Lying to the Holy Spirit: When individuals practice deceit, such as claiming to give more than they actually are, they are not merely lying to people or religious leaders; they are lying against the Holy Ghost.
• Immediate and Future Judgment: The Apostle cites the biblical example of Ananias and Sapphira, who conspired to lie about the proceeds of a land sale. Their deceit led to immediate spiritual and physical death; they "fell down and gave up the ghost" without receiving a second chance. Furthermore, living a "double standard" by professing God while acting deceptively carries the repercussion of future judgment.
• Tarnishing Good Deeds: Plotting evil or practicing deceit while performing a "good thing" (like giving) tarnishes the act entirely. If a person's heart is filled with the "passion from the kingdom of darkness" (the urge to lie), they remain in a state of wrongdoing even within a place of worship.
• Divine Silence: Attempting to "bully and bargain" with God, such as promising to serve Him only if He provides a specific material blessing, is viewed as a form of lying that causes God to stay silent, leading the individual to "miss God".

In contrast, giving sacrificially with a grateful and joyful heart is presented as a powerful spiritual discipline with several positive consequences:

• Spiritual Coverage and Release: Giving is described as a practice that "covers us" and brings a "release" in the believer's life. It is an act that God finds pleasing and honorable.
• Overtaking Blessings: When an offering is "good and honorable," like that of Abel, God receives it. Sacrificial giving, done without murmuring or complaining, allows God’s blessings to "overtake" the gift and the giver.
• Storing Treasures for Trouble: Those who honor God through sacrifice and fasting are storing up treasures in heaven. These spiritual reserves ensure that in a "day of trouble," God will release His hand in their direction.
• Access to Deliverance and Healing: Maintaining a grateful heart makes the "availability" of the kingdom, including healing and deliverance, accessible to the believer. God promises to fulfill the desires of the heart for those who seek Him first and maintain a spirit of thanksgiving.

The spirit behind the act is more important than the act itself. If an individual does not have the means to give or does not understand the purpose of the sacrifice, they are encouraged to wait for clarity rather than give "mumbling" or deceitfully. Giving must be done with a joyful heart to be spiritually effective.

Rec. Date: 11th February, 2024