Title
The Grace of Giving
Scripture
Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
(Exodus 25:2)
Devotional
God has always used His people to accomplish His bidding. Whenever there was a need, the Lord would meet that need through His children. He has not changed His method of supplying the resources to build His Kingdom. When there is a need in His Church, God supplies that need by prospering His people. The people are in turn called to obedience in first giving of the tithe and then the offering. The tithe is the Lord’s. It is the first portion of our income and resources that belongs to Him. “All the tithe is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.” Here, the Lord is asking for a voluntary offering, one that is given willingly. It is not only voluntary; it is specific. The people were told exactly what was needed. God, to this day, builds in the same manner. God knows our need to give. He knows the importance of participatory stewardship. Therefore, it is a joy to give willingly and to see the completion of the work of the Lord.
Text For The Day
Exodus 25:2: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.”
Thought For The Day
“My 14-year-old son, Joel Porter, has a job this year. He got his first, official paycheck. Boy, was he thrilled. He came home and showed me his paycheck. Then he marched into the room where Mom was and said, ‘You know, I've thought it over and I'm not sure I can afford to tithe.’ He has more money in his hand than he's ever had before, and what happens? All of a sudden we say, ‘I really need this money for something else.’ Out of the mouth of a 14-year-old boy, true to his human nature, comes this whole question, ‘Where do I put God?’ Is he first? Is he second? Is he fifth? Is he twenty-third in my life? Where is God?” John Maxwell, God's Trust Test
Questions To Ponder
· Is the giving of the tithe and offerings a grace or a law issue?
· Consider Abraham who gave tithes 400 years before the giving of the law. See Galatians 3:15-18 in regard to the tithe being a tax, mandate, or grace matter.
· Do you faithfully tithe and give offerings? Should you?
Morning Study Guide
Defining: “Tithe” literally means “a tenth.” In the Scriptures it is to be the first fruit of our increase (Proverbs 3:9). It is to be given weekly (1 Cor. 16:2). It is and always has been by grace through faith (Gal. 3:15-18).
Referencing: “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord,” Lev. 27:30
Applying: “’Try Me now in this,’ says the Lord… ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour… such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it,’” Mal. 3:10