Text: Psalms 100
Memory verse:
”But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.“
I Chronicles 29:14 NKJV
One man whose giving has always inspired me is R.G. LeTourneau (1888–1969), a Christian mechanic, who became a renowned industrialist. He dedicated his life to “being a businessman for God”. LeTourneau was hugely successful, designing and developing his own line of earth-moving equipments. He increased his giving to the point where he was giving inverted tithe, that is, 90% of his income to the Lord’s work, as he succeeded financially. When asked why he gave that, he replied, “I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back–but God has a bigger shovel.”
No one can give to please God without having a spiritual understanding. Whatever you give to God can never match what He has given to you. In fact, every of your gift is a debt that you are only paying, and you can never finish paying in this life and in eternity. According to Romans 8:12, we are debtors to God forever. He started crediting our account even before we knew Him! “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“ (Rom 5:8).
Who can ever pay that huge accrued debt! That is why the scripture says, “Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins.” (Heb 10:11 GNT).
Much more than this, Jesus paid in the currency which is priceless and can’t exchange with any other currency, that is, His blood! Unlike other currencies, it is incorruptible and precious (2 Pet 2:19).
For anyone to think that he has given too much is to speak in utter ignorance. It is foolishness for anyone to give as a burden.
Giving must be done with a sense of gratitude. ”Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.“ (Psa 100:2). Solomon said this, after offering sacrifices worth millions of dollars at the dedication of the temple, ”“Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.“
(I Chro 29:13-14). What an understanding!
Friends, give to God with understanding and with a deep heart of gratitude and not as a burden.
Prayer points
1. Father, I thank You and praise Your glorious name for the privilege of giving to You.
2. Father, please, let me never give to You as a burden or with ingratitude, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I will never forget that it’s a privilege for me to give to the Lord, and I will always thank God for it.
2. God has given me more than I can ever give to Him, and whatever I give to Him comes from what He has given to me.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng