Offerings

Topic:  Offerings

Text: Mark 12:41-44

John 3:16 said: For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God gave his only son.
So, He is expecting his children to give their best offerings to him, at all times when they’re giving.
In Genesis 22:15-17 Abraham did not withhold his legitimate son  (Isaac) from God and it attracted blessings to him.
2 Samuel 24:24 David said to Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing, so David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
I Samuel 1:11 Hannah vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
God proved Hannah by giving her a man child and she actually returned the child to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:27-28) 

Mark 12:41-44 says: And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Jesus said that the poor widow gave more than everyone because she gave all of her living.

So, it’s not by quantity but quality and whole heartedness. When something tangible, meaningful or costly leaves your hands to God, it provokes heaven to respond. Offerings are done willingly and not by compulsion.
1 Chronicles 29:9 said: Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with with perfect heart they offered  willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Paul said: He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Exodus 36:5-7 said: The people brought too much for the work of the sanctuary, until Moses asked them to stop bringing.
Luke 6:38 said: give and it shall be given back to you. Therefore, give to support the work of God, poor and the needy.

Prayer: Oh God, help me not to close my eyes towards your work, poor and the needy, in Jesus name.
Bible reading for the day, Genesis 4:3-7, Deuteronomy 15:11 and Proverbs 19:17