On First Giving Ourselves To The Lord
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesMany Christians regard their financial giving as little more than a goodwill gesture to God for the service He has rendered to us. They think that as long as they have given their “weakly” [weekly] offering to God, the rest is theirs to handle as they please.
Folks, the Christian life consists of more than just money or possessions (Luke 12:15; cf. 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
The Bible tells us that our Creator owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). “The world is Mine ….. and all its fullness” (Psalm 50:12). Everything comes from Him, and everything we have belongs to Him — including our very existence (cf. Acts 17:25).
God has not only provided us with every material thing we need (Matthew 6:33), He also provides us with every spiritual benefit “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Paul used the liberality of the Macedonian Christians as an illustration of what our giving should look like in the light of God’s generosity toward us. Financially speaking, the Macedonians were in “deep poverty,” but gave with “liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:2) — their liberality being contingent upon their first “giving themselves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5).
Brethren and friends, God doesn’t need any financial aid from us — rather, He wants our whole being!
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. —Isaac Watts
Related Articles:
- Our Giving — Some New Testament Principles And Guidelines
- What Kind Of “Givers” Are We?
- Twelve Kinds Of Givers
- “Honeycomb Givers”
- Overcoming Greed
- Having A Heart For Those In Need
- “Crumbs Will Do”
- “But When Thou Makest A Feast…..”
- The Poor Widow’s Sacrificial Heart
- Let’s All Be Philanthropists!