An Offering of Love

April 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment

2 Corinthians 9:7, offerings, tithes, motivationIn the realm of giving, the Bible makes a distinction between tithes (the first tenth of our income) and offerings (that which we give that is above and beyond the tithe).  I’m not here today to go into great theological detail about the basis for tithes and offerings or to debate the continued validity of the tithe for Christians who are no longer under the Old Testament law.  What I am here to do is to encourage all Christians to give boldly, generously and with thankful hearts filled with love for God.  (And no, I’m really not focusing on the monetary aspect of giving with this post.  This post is about all of the other things we have been blessed with and have the privilege of offering to God).

Let me back up for a moment and say that the basis for this post was and is a desire to write and to teach as a love offering to God.  Writing and teaching are specific areas of ministry that God has called me to do so that is where my focus lies.  For you who are reading this, your area of focus and your calling will most likely be different from mine but what God wants from each of us is the same.  Yes he wants our obedience but doesn’t he also desire (and deserve!) our love and generosity?

So many times I must confess that I sit down to write or prepare for my Sunday School lessons out of a sense of obedience (obligation?) to what God has called me to do.  Or because I believe that I must encourage and exhort my brothers and sisters in Christ I will get to work on a post or a lesson and none of that is bad or wrong.  But lately he has laid on my heart the desire to offer my time and talents out of genuine love, generosity and thankfulness for all that he has done for me.  The end result may be the same but the motivation is sweeter and more joyful and the work and time spent becomes all the more blessed because of it.

I thank God for this truth that he has shared with me and I want to share it with you as well.  Whatever it is that we have and whatever it is that we do we can choose, joyfully and thankfully, to offer it up to God as a love offering to him.  I hope and pray that the Lord will inspire you in some specific way in the coming days and weeks and I rejoice together with you in the blessed result and joyful outcome of your offering.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

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Mercy The Beautiful

October 14, 2014 by Leave a Comment

mercy, grace, offeringMercy.  What a beautiful word when heard and understood by the one who has sinned.  God’s mercy is completely inseparable from God’s grace and they can be thought of as two sides of the same coin.  Mercy is when we don’t get the punishment that we deserve and grace is when we are given favor that we have not earned.  So not only does God withhold sin’s terrible punishment he also blesses us with His favor and ultimately with His only Son, Jesus Christ the Savior of the World.  It is by grace through faith that we are saved and the opportunity for God’s grace to be shown is only because he first showed mercy on sinful man.

 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness..  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

God’s mercy never fails and never falters.  Were it not for His mercy this world and everything in it would be consumed and destroyed.  Not only does God’s mercy never fail it is also new and sufficient for each new day.  Whatever mistake or error we may find ourselves in, God’s mercy has provided for us a way back into fellowship with Him.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Mercy and grace are available from the Lord at all times and we are invited to come boldly before God in search of it.  God wants His people to trust and rely on Him completely and constantly.  There is never a time or a circumstance that can keep us from coming boldly before our Heavenly Father who loves us so much.  His invitation is open and He waits for us with arms wide open and angelic helpers ready to come to our aid if only we will ask.

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36)

Because we belong to God we are to imitate Him as His dear children.  And because He is merciful so to must we be merciful with those around us.  We must be merciful when we are wronged and we must forgive those who seek to harm us, be it physically, emotionally or financially.  God’s mercy is big enough to cover any sin that we lay at His feet and our mercy must be big enough to cover any sin that is done against us.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

It is so important that we be merciful and forgiving that Jesus specifically said that we should be reconciled to our brother or sister before we make our next offering to God.  I believe this verse covers not only our monetary offerings but also our time and talents that we use for the Lord.  In other words we must do everything in our power to strive for unity among the brethren and take the initiative in making things right.  Only then will we be in a right place to serve the Lord with gladness and to receive His mercy with a clear conscience and a glad heart.

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