08/28/2018
We are not ordered by God to give this, or that, for His causes, but asked to give only what we feel in our heart. For some this might be an everyday offering of oil to keep the lamps in the Church lit at night, while for others it could be a more costly gift such as gold, or onyx stones for the breastplate of the priest. God has a plan, and He speaks to our individual hearts concerning our part in it.
“The Lord said to Moses, "Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.”
Exodus 25:1-2 ESV
We are asked to give, but our part in that giving is determined by our hearts. Isn’t that how it should be? Don’t we give what is necessary to meet a need, but give in abundance according to the urging of our hearts? We give gifts out of love, and taxes by decree... God wants our love. Large or small, expensive, or not, we give in accordance with our means, and our hearts.
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.”
Deuteronomy 16:17 ESV
My mother grew up in very hard times. We call this time the Great Depression in the United States, and her family was barely surviving on a small farm in the mountains of North Carolina. One Christmas there was no money for even a tiny gift, and there were many small children in the house. My grandfather fretted over this because he was a man of faith, and the giving of gifts had a very spiritual meaning in their home. It wasn’t like today when many people, even people of faith, give out of obligation, and don’t really know why they are giving. So on Christmas Eve he put on his boots, bundled up, and began the long walk in the snow (several miles) to town. Late that evening, cold and exhausted, he made it back home, and in anticipation of Christmas they all said their prayers, and went to sleep. The next morning they awoke to no gifts, but when my grandfather came in with an arm full of firewood he told the children that he had seen footprints in the snow outside, and that he was fairly certain they were those of St. Nicholas. The kids all slipped on their shoes and ran to see... in each of several large footprints something was glistening... a single piece of penny candy. My mother usually tells this story around Christmas, and although she is now 94 years old, and has received many wonderful gifts through the years, this memory is her most cherished. Eight tiny pieces of candy, eight pennies spent that a father really couldn’t afford to give... eight gifts from the heart, and eight gifts in remembrance of three wise men who followed a star to visit a newborn King.
God doesn’t demand us to give, He wants our gifts to be from the heart just as my grandfather’s were. He wants us to contemplate them, fret over them, and perhaps, on occasion, give gifts that we can’t really afford to give... so long as they come from our hearts.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV
I often hear people say that the only thing the church wants from them is their money, and I must admit that there are churches who clearly are guilty of that, and that we should seek out a righteous church which is in line with the teaching of Jesus Christ, but when we give our gifts, offerings, and even tithes, it should be to God, and from our heart, and if that is true then the motivation of the Church that receives those gifts matters less. When we let the church’s failure override our heart’s desire to give to God then we have not only placed ourselves in judgment of the church, but in disobedience to the Lord; using our gift as punishment... retribution. God deals with us by way of our own hearts, and with the churches, and those He has placed in authority over them, in an entirely different manner. Our motivation should be the love we have for God, as we hear His desire within our hearts. The church and its ministers will be held accountable by God, shaken, and judged, by His hand.
“Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”
Isaiah 40:10 ESV
Withholding our gifts... we are similarly inclined to give to the poor when we are certain they aren’t going to misuse what we have given them, and withhold our gifts when we fear they will be used inappropriately, but is that really how we should behave in our giving? If our hearts are moved to give are our minds to argue “But Lord, they might use my gift to buy strong drink.”, or “The Church is being unwise, and greedy!”, and thus our gift withheld? It took me a long while to realize that my part was to obey, and God’s was to deal with the recipient. If our heart is genuinely moved by the Holy Spirit then there should be no argument. So how do we give, with our heart? with our mind? or perhaps in response to our selfishness?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for allowing us to give, and for your blessings and rewards that come from our obedience to your stirring of our hearts. Thank you Holy Father for giving us a part to play in accomplishing your will, your plans, the life of your church, and in loving your children who are suffering in the world. Teach us to be better givers Gracious Father, and to open our hearts to the move of your Spirit as it guides us to love by giving. Bless us for our giving Merciful God, by filling us with the joy of having answered you through our hearts, and gifts. Open our eyes to the offerings of the wise men, but more importantly the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let every mercy we bestow on others, every gift to the church, and each act of obedience to your will, be done with a cheerful, and loving heart. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose gifts and blessings abound. Great are you whose grace was given to us when we were undeserving. Praised be your name for your Son Jesus Christ who gave His sinlessness, and life, that we might be redeemed, forgiven, and receive life everlasting. All glory is yours Father for these gifts of love. Lift us up as we strive to imitate you, and open our hearts as you have yours, leading us to give as we are able, and moved.
“oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense,”
Exodus 25:6 ESV
Rich Forbes