NOV 23

Romans 12:7-8
Memorise 1 Corinthians 10:31
“…whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Chapter 12 opens with a plea from the Apostle Paul to present all of our selves as a living sacrifice to God which is our reasonable service. Part of being a living sacrifice is to use our gifts, talents and resources for the Lord, rather than keeping them for ourselves.

Paul writes in verse 8 of different gifts and how they should be exercised in the ministry, the distribution of money being one of them. In the early church, in Acts, one of the responsibilities of the deacons was to distribute alms to the poor and needy in the church. Here, they were commanded to do so with honesty and fairness.

God has promised to take care of our daily needs, and through the act of giving and distribution, we show our love for God and to fellow believers. In turn, the recipients glorify God for His provision by means of those who give; and are also encouraged by the love shown toward them by fellow believers. God is glorified in your life and theirs. This is Christianity in action. Indeed this is what service is all about.

Perhaps whatever you have, be it an allowance from your parents or earnings from a part-time job, may not seem much. You may think that your talents and gifts seem few. Yet consider the widow and her two mites and her commendation from Christ. She had so little yet she gave her all. Consider the young boy with 5 loaves and 2 small fishes. What if he had kept what little he had to himself? Service is what we, as servants of our heavenly Master can do for Him. Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice for you. Returning a portion of your resources, time and talents for His work and to His glory are not unreasonable. Or do you expect your Heavenly Master to take care of you, provide for your every need and even prosper you, but you will do nothing in return?

Thought: What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?
Prayer: O Lord, may all that I am and all that I have be used in Your service for Your glory and Yours alone.