MAY 28

1 Chronicles 16:28-29
Memorise 2 Corinthians 9:7
“...God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Genesis 14 gives us an account of Abram giving a tenth of all his spoils to Melchizedek after defeating the 5 kings of Canaan (Genesis 14:20). Melchizedek was God’s high priest and therefore His representative. The giving of tithes by Abram (later known as Abraham) to Melchizedek was in fact Abram giving to God through Melchizedek and sets the example for us to follow in our giving of offerings in worship. Simply put, our worship to God is incomplete if we approach Him with empty hands. David understood that such giving is certainly part of worship, for when we bring an offering, we are giving unto the LORD the glory due unto His name, and worshipping Him in the beauty of holiness (1 Chronicles 16:29).

Giving of a portion of our increase back to God is not only necessary in worship, the manner in which we give it is also important. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”. We are to give willingly, cheerfully and wholeheartedly with no selfish thoughts of God returning us any favours and no motive other than to do so out of gratitude and love.

God does not demand exorbitant offerings. Even the widow pleased the Lord with her 2 mites for it was all she had (Luke 21:2-4). Returning to Him a tenth of our increase without being anxious about whether we have sufficient funds for our own needs is evidence of our faith in His sufficiency to meet our needs. This also helps us not to focus too much on “our own” resources and abilities lest we begin to place our faith in these things rather than in Him alone.

Just like every other item of worship, the giving of tithes is an outward manifestation of an inward faith in God and of gratitude to Him. We do not give to atone for our sins. Also, because God owns everything, even that which we give to Him are His to begin with, so rather than seeing the offerings as a burden, we should consider it a privilege to be allowed to use our God-given resources in this manner.

Thought: All that I have is from God, yet giving back to Him what is rightfully His in the first place pleases Him.
Prayer: O Lord, thank You for the great privilege of allowing us to show forth our gratitude through our offerings.