“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1st Sam. 16:7)
Not that we serve, but the sincerity of our heart when we serve, this is what the Lord looks at.
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2nd Cor. 9:7)
I will admit this about myself, I do not give of our personal financial increases cheerfully, in fact, I have no emotional context whatsoever when my beautiful wife writes the checks out to the places we give money to. It is the right and proper thing to do, it is God’s money, He does not need it, everything belongs to Him anyway.
Not because I am commanded, because I need to, or because we should, it is an automatic response for my lovely wife and myself, we give because we want to. We expect nothing in return, we do not believe we should be blessed because we give, these organizations, which we have thoroughly checked out, need assistance, financial assistance along with our prayers, and so we help when we can.
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1st Cor. 4:7)
Not what’s left over, but not neglecting the obligations that we also have.
“And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 1:8)
So, with all that said my friends, I will ask you this question, and not attempt to presume upon your own personal situation. House payment or rent, electric and gas bill, food and necessary clothing items, or your offering to the Lord in whatever form He has called you to give of your increase.
Which should come first?
You look at the budget for the week, the electric bill is due, you calculate the groceries you will need for the coming week and find, after doing so, that you will not be able to afford to put anything in the plate as is passes by you in the pew next Sunday. Accept the late bill and the additional surcharges on that electric bill? If you are known as one who serves the Lord Jesus Christ, by doing so you would you not be dishonoring His name?
Impossible to cut back any further on the grocery bill, food is a necessary item, and if you are providing for loved ones, you must consider 1st Timothy 5:8.
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
What disturbs you the most, the fact that you have nothing in a financial way to offer to the Lord that week, or that the Almighty may frown upon you for not putting something in that plate and trusting Him to provide?
Recall what this short letter to you today is about, the sincerity of your heart. If you could give, you would give, but if you do, and the bills pile up, you may be living on the street. Don’t you think God knows that?
Now, I have presumed here that you have adhered to Proverbs 22:7.
“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
That you have not been frivolous with your income, no four years’ worth of car payments, no continuing credit card debts for items you would not wait for or deny yourself, no wants because you would not be patient and wait on the Lord. You have been wise with your finances in accordance to the Word of God.
If the financial situation you are in requires you to make a choice between keeping a roof over your head and food on the table, or giving to the mission fund, just which one do you believe honors the Lord?
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)
Trust Him, do what is right, pray for wisdom in this area, if you are a child of the Most High God, He will answer you. Where you are in this regard is where He wants you to be, listen intently to the Holy Spirit, and learn the lesson He has for you.
