When it comes to our tithes and offerings to the Lord, it should always be given from a willing heart. If anything is given grudgingly, then we are not in the right place with God and nothing should be given at all. What we do for God should never be forceful in any way. This is a big red flag to how we should not serve God. We should also not give just to look better among our peers. This is not right, and people ought to repent if they are giving just to stand out among the crowd. People should also repent if they don’t feel the need to give. My friends, you know as much as I do that churches need money to stay alive and keep their doors open. This is why they take an offering and people also tithe. I am not sure what each of your views are on this topic, but that is not the purpose of this message. When it comes to what we do, it should be based on what we do for Christ and not what we do for ourselves. God is asking for people to be generous, not only to their church, but to the homeless, and to other people in need. Our generosity can go a long way when it comes to other people having what they need. And when you realize this, many things will start to change in your life for the better. Now, for you to understand the need to give, let us read together from 1 Chronicles 29. It reads, 1“who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly.” (1 Chronicles 29:5,6) There was a big need for more things to be offered for the building up of the temple of God, and people willfully gave what they had towards it. This happened, no questions asked, for they loved God and wanted to obey Him.
Because churchgoers give with a willing heart, there are churches all around the globe that have their doors open on the weekend, and during the week. This is when people can come for purposes of attending classes, prayer groups, Bible studies, and get other things they need. Many of them also have food pantries, homeless and evangelism outreaches, along with many other ministries like missions, which are available because of the generosity of the people. When it comes to offerings and tithing, we don’t have a set percentage of what to give now. Because the New Testament books are silent on a percentage, but still emphasize giving, we give what we feel the church needs, and what other people need at the moment. This can be seen in what took place with the people that gave of their precious goods to the building up of God’s holy tabernacle. It says that they 1“gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:7-11) This was such a wonderful act of generosity from God’s people. Therefore he thanked the Lord for what they did and blessed God for His goodness.
It was because of what transpired this day, that David could not help but praise the Lord. People were so willing to offer the things they had, and gratitude to our God was coming out. This is a prayer that David said, even before he spoke about Solomon his son. He said this prayer in the last moments of his life. It reads, 1“but who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:14-18) What a wonderful thing David was thinking of, even before his last breath was given. Till the end of his days did he continue to not only praise the Lord but also give wise counsel to the people of Israel. This generous act that was on display this day is like nothing I have ever seen. However, God hopes for His people now to act the same way in how they give to Him, His church, and to those in need. If you don’t already give offerings, tithes, or help those in need, consider these things today. Go forth and give willfully to the building up of God’s kingdom on earth.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for first blessing me and my family with the things that we need. Because I have been given so much from You, I know it is up to me now to give also. How could I just take what You give and not also want to give back? I would be so selfish to be blessed by You and not be selfless in return. Lord, I know that I have the things I need in this life, in order for my wife and children to have a home, a car, and food on the table. For this reason, I am ready to give back to anybody who is less fortunate than I am. It is the least I can do to pack the trunk of my car with blankets, winter hats, gloves, water, snacks, Bibles, and gospel tracts, in order to bless anybody I see. No matter the money that goes towards all of this, I am ready to give back to people who have found themselves in hard times. And Lord, I know that Your church always has a need for tithes and offerings. For this reason, I will prepare myself, each weekend I go to church, in order to have the funds ready to give. Lord, I do not wish to give grudgingly but to always do this with a willing heart. I can see the great need for what the church I attend is doing in the world, and if my offerings can help out with what they are up to, praise God. It is my prayer that churches will continue to stay open every day of the week because of the generosity of its members. We should never be seeing churches close down because of a lack of funds. Lord, I pray that as I and other people open our bank accounts to the giving of Your house and others, that we will see the fruits from it. That people will be blessed and Your kingdom will go forth and flourish upon the land. I love You, Lord. How can I keep the money for myself and not give an offering back to You? For this reason, do I give. I love You, Lord, and to give brings me great joy. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
If you are blessed by the messages and content on this site. Also consider donating to this ministry. God bless you.
