Now we want to look at the last of the questions of giving that we will discuss in this short sermon series. There are probably many more questions we could ask and answer, but will let these last two suffice for the time being.
An important factor we must understand in regard to our giving is that our attitude has everything to do with our giving and its acceptance by God. The attitude of the heart is so important to our offering being accepted by God. Our attitude is to be one of love for God. God loved us so much and gave us a priceless gift in the offering of his one and only son. He loved us so much by giving us a beautiful world to live in. God’s love for us is seen in immeasurable and numerous ways. How can we not love him back? We have missed the boat of all that is right and good when we fail to love God back. One way we express our love to him is in our giving. We give because we love God. God accepts our offering when it is given in love. When we fail to give in love our giving really amounts to nothing. Paul said in 1 Cor. 13:3, If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Our attitude should also be one of sheer delight we give, such joy when we give that it takes all the begrudging and lack of reluctance out of our heart. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Cor. 9:8.
The last question we want to answer in our giving is “what will happen when I give?” When I give with the right attitude and with the right offering of my life what will happen to me? Prov. 3:9-10 is one of many passages that describe what comes back to me when I give as God directs me to give, Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. The idea of being blessed by God when we offer him all that we have and especially when we honor him with our money is Paul’s discussion and motivation to give in 2 Cor. 9. Verses 10 – 11 say,” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” Open your Bible to Mal. 3:10 and see that God says, “Test me in this.” Test God in what way?
0 comments:
Post a Comment