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Giving to God
ncmm ^ | 4-Dec-2003

Posted on 12/04/2003 7:35:43 AM PST by stainlessbanner

Giving to God

"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" Haggai 1:4

The prophet Haggai reproves God's people for their indifference with regard to rebuilding the temple. The people lived in beautiful homes while the house of God languished. God's question through His prophet reveals the mind-set of His people: God's people have needs, so I can see why it is necessary to be generous in supporting others, besides, it may be that one day I will be poor and need the generosity of others. Giving to God, however, is different. He has no needs and tells us this again and again. Why spend money giving to God? God originally lived in an elaborate, but not all that costly, tent. Why build another temple, especially in light of the fact that the original temple was David's, not God's idea? The money of God's people can be put to better use.

The disciples raised this same question when a woman poured an expensive vial of ointment on Jesus. [430] You could have raised this question when God instituted sacrifices: Why burn a perfectly good animal when it can be put to better use? "Lord, if you know my heart, that I am in need of having my sins covered, is that not enough?" Such acts of generosity are more an act of faith than giving to the poor in that faith is commitment to the unseen and you cannot see God nor any benefit to burning valuable animals to Him.

If you really believe that God gave you all you have, and that His resources are without limit, then you will have no problem investing your time and wealth in acts of extravagance to His glory. Just as He does not need your efforts to make you rich, so too He does not need your wealth to execute His plan. Biblically you give to God, not to people; you give to the poor, and any other cause, because God wants you to, and for no other reason.

* [430] - cf. Matthew 26:7-12


TOPICS: Daily Prayer; Religion
KEYWORDS: christian; devotional; prayer; regligion

1 posted on 12/04/2003 7:35:43 AM PST by stainlessbanner
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To: stainlessbanner
"Faith is more than believing in spite of the evidence, it is obeying in spite of the consequences" - Chuck Missler
2 posted on 12/04/2003 9:15:22 AM PST by Starwind (The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true good news)
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