Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 17-18; Luke 21:1-19.
Memory Verse: “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:4 (KJV).
Giving is generally applauded everywhere as it is seen as a sign of generosity and care for others. However, the motive behind every giving is very important. Those who give because of the expected return has not demonstrated any act of generosity but a business acumen.
While men applaud the act of giving generally, God applauds the motive and, more importantly, the sacrificial nature of the giving. The Lord Jesus Christ observed people giving offering and saw various amounts being dropped into the offering box but He made a surprising statement that the one who appeared to have dropped the smallest amount had given the most! Hear him in Luke 21:2-3 (KJV), “And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. [3] And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:” Why did the Lord say so? Because the widow had made the greatest sacrifice by dropping all she had! Some others could have given thousands of what she gave which represented an insignificant fraction of their worth.
Giving is not only in money, it could be your time, your talents or other resources. And when it comes to giving offerings to God, what is the motive behind those things that you give and are they done sacrificially? In 1 Chronicles 21:24, David said that he will not give God an offering that does not cost him. He recognized that God gave him everything that he had. Now looking at our memory verse, the Lord Jesus Christ says in Luke 21:4 (KJV), “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”
God expects you to give your all to Him. First you need to give yourself by surrendering your totality to God by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Once you have done that, then all that you have belong to God and you should ask Him how you should use it for His glory. That includes your time, talent, status and other resources. This is why Jesus Christ tells you in Matthew 6:33 (KJV), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” As you place God first in all you do and seek His face, you will be amazed how He will order your steps to greater heights. It is important to note that your giving is to God and not any church or pastor. God himself will direct you to any of His children when the need arises.
Prayer point: Father, I surrender myself to you in totality today, please order all my steps from today in Jesus Christ’s name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero