How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. – 2 Cor. 8:1-5

Notice verse five. They first gave themselves to the Lord because they trusted Him. Then, they gave themselves to their spiritual leaders, because they trusted them too. This shows the importance of you, not only having trust in God because you believe in His Word; but you must have trust in the person God has placed over you as your spiritual leader.

Now, what we have is held as a trust for our Lord. God wants you to become a financial trustee for Him. He wants to trust you with so much that you can’t handle it by yourself – you will need Him to help you handle it. So, He’ll say to you, “Put some here or put some there.” But, you’ve got to be obedient and you have to start with what you have now.

Remember, sowing does not work by feelings – it works by faith, obedience, trust, and submission. You must give your entire self to the Lord as an act of surrender. That means your entire being and all that you have. Don’t become afraid thinking that that means that He will make you sow all that you have. Although that may be what He will ask you to do, God simply wants your resources to be at His disposal to fulfill His purposes in the earth realm so that He can fulfill everything that you need and want in the process.