- “Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
- They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
- For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
- They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
- They even did more than we had hope, FOR THEIR FIRST ACTION WAS TO GIVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)
• Churches of Macedonia were able to give what they had, because they have given themselves to God wholly (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).
- Giving of substance is good, however, giving of self is much more important to God.
- Who you are in God is much more important, it comes first, before what you do for Him.
• Your services and substances to God can only be considered, acceptable—when you give yourself completely to God.
- You offer yourself to God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
- After you have done this; you abide in Him and grow to maturity—you go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1).
- Some profess Christ without conduct (2 Timothy 3:5-7).
“They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”
Titus 1:16 (NKJV)
• Your relationship with God, your state in Him, is important to Him—and that precede what you do or give to Him.
- Your soul is precious to Him than anything you offer to Him, or the services you render to Him (Psalm 51:16,17).
- “For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering.
- The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, you will not despise.”
Psalm 51:16,17 (NKJV)
• Your communion with God will enhance your services and giving—it makes you give with a good motive.
- When you have a sound fellowship with God, the mind with which you give to Him would be right. – What you do, your work for Him, or what you give to Him, would be motivated by love.
– You do whatever you do for Him because you love Him and His kingdom—not because you want to use Him.
• Some give to use God!
- Although God promises to give back in return, even in multiple folds, when you give to Him—but that should not be the sole reason for giving (2 Corinthians 9:6,7).
- You offer to God because you love Him and want His kingdom to expand on earth.
- Work on your relationship with Him, that your services and whatever you offer up to Him may be accepted.
• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!