The Giving Season
Who doesn't like getting presents? It's Christmas time, so it's present time, isn't it? In our morning message this week, we are reflecting on "Giving God The Best Gifts." I hope to challenge us in our thinking about giving God the very best.
What does God want from us? I have heard people say many things in reference to giving to God over the years. Some thoughts challenged me. Others puzzled me. One preacher said, "God loves (or prefers) one type of gift over another type of gift." He went on to say that "the amount of a gift is the most important thing to God." Is that true?
What if we are unable to give as much as someone else? The Bible reveals that God looks at the condition of our hearts. Why would that be any different when we are giving to Him? Consider the example of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:2–10). Did God accept Abel because he had sheep and dismiss Cain because he only offered crops? That doesn't seem to be the case, because if Abel was accepted because of his occupation or status, what would that say about God? Is that consistent with God's behavior?
Remember that Jesus was a carpenter, the disciples were fishermen, many of the early followers of Jesus were tax collectors and prostitutes. The context of the story of Cain and Abel shows that because Abel thought about God first and gave him a gift from his heart, he was accepted (Genesis 4:4). The Bible says that after Cain gave his gift to God, he told Cain if he did well he would also be accepted. The warning to Cain was that if his heart was not right, and the gift was not sincere, sin was lying in wait for him (Genesis 4:7).
Cain did not give God a "first-fruit" offering. Instead, he gave him just a gift. Whatever he had lying around. Not from the heart. Even though God gave Cain an opportunity to get his heart right, so that he could also be accepted, he chose to get rid of Abel instead. Maybe to up his status with God. This obviously was not a good course of action. Cain decided to kill his brother instead of getting his heart right when giving gifts to God.
A New Testament example of this giving principle is seen when Jesus was watching people putting money into the treasury. Many people gave who were rich, but Jesus recognized the poor widow not because of how little she gave (two mites), but instead he recognized her because she gave out of her livelihood. The woman had placed God before her own needs (Mark 12:41-44).
There are many examples in the Bible where other individuals gave gifts to God. In most of these cases we can see what was most important. God seems to look at their hearts, not the type or size of their gifts. God enjoys our gifts when they are given with love from the heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This is part of seeking God first in all things and in everything that we do (Matthew 22:37, 6:33).
Seek to "give" more this season, than to "receive" when it comes to gift giving (Acts 20:35). Give God the best. And, then continue to use what He has give you to bless others. Have a great week!!!