THE LORD’S OFFERING

Before we go further, may I say that a truly saved Christian has no problem with giving; it is carnal men and women like Ananias and Sapphira who withhold things from God. Check yourself whenever you find yourself grumbling about giving to the Lord, you’ve most likely begun to fall in love with the things of the world. The believers of the Early Church sold their lands and houses and laid them at the feet of the apostles! That’s remarkable: something for you and me to seriously think about. God said to Moses, “Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD.” Exodus 35:5. Here’s how the people responded: verse 21 says, “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering.” Verse 29 says, “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.” Why do people want God to speak to them first before they give to Him? Meanwhile, these same brethren won’t wait for God to speak to them before they pay their children’s school fees, build a new house, buy a new car, pay house rent and contribute to associations they belong to, or causes they believe in. If you consider those to be necessities, how about something God Himself wants done? Paul noted that the Philippians continually gave to him to meet his needs; they gave again and again even when no other church gave to him; they even gave to him when he was in Thessalonica, another land. What they gave him made him full; he called it, “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.” That was when he said, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:15-19. Get this: If your willing offerings have not been going up as a sweet smell to heaven, don’t expect supply from heaven in time of your need! Follow @PastorChinae If you want the messages sent to your email daily, please send a mail to spiritandlifedevotional@gmail.com. Thank you.