With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
(Micah 6:6-7).
Regarding giving, our God expects His children to “abound in this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:7). To that end, consider the following matters with respect to your giving:
- “The Lord had regard for . . .his offering” (Genesis 4:4). Abel’s offering was accepted by God because, among other things, he intended to please the Lord in giving it (Hebrews 11:4). Cain’s offering was rejected because, among other things, he did not intend to please God. Our gifts represent the depth of our love and respect for the Lord. Our giving, then, should reflect our heartfelt intention to be pleasing to Him.
- “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). We should never begrudge giving to our God. A joyful giver will never return to God “grudgingly or under compulsion” for he knows what Jesus meant in saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). And, a joyful giver appreciates all that the Lord has done for him (1 Timothy 1:15-17).
- “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart” (2 Corinthians 9:7). With proper wisdom and deliberation we must plan our giving. This is intentional and purposeful, not haphazard, lackadaisical, or last minute.
- “On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save . . .” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Our giving must be systematic. As often as we are prospered we should give to our God.
- “. . .let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The size of the gift is not as important as the proportion of income it represents. Our giving must be proportionate to our prosperity.
May each of us grow in this grace of giving.
By Mark Hanstein |
