ORACLES: Lesson 27

“God can make what is small, great. Be encouraged”

Giving is an important part of your relationship with God. Not only does God ask us to give of our time and talent, but He also expects us to return a tithe (10% of income) and to give an offering. The tithe belongs to God and should be returned to your place of worship/church. The offering however, is what you want to give and there’s no criterion on how much or where it should go (i.e., Church, Para-church, Non-profit organization, a struggling neighbor, etc.).

With that said, there are times when God will ask you to give above your regular tithes and offerings; and when that happens, no matter what you have, the request is a set up to receive. God has something in mind for you!

Whether God asks you to give what’s manageable or sacrificial, know that He will show Himself strong in your life and this is your chance to prove two things: One, that you believe Him, and two, that nothing you have has greater value than your God. When you can prove that you trust Him and not mammon/things, God will reward you. When you’re willing to give out of obedience and not convenience, He will honor you. And when you can give with an expectation, He will show Himself faithful in your life.

In the same way that God proved His love by giving His only Son He will ask you to also give sacrificially. When He does impress upon you to give trust His promise, that when you give it will be given back to you again (Luke 6:38); that all grace or favor will abound towards you (2 Corinthians 9:8); and, that the generous person will increase (Proverbs 11:24). Moreover, remember God is the same yesterday, today and forever, therefore, as He was with others, He is there with you. Then look at Solomon who offered God a thousand burnt offerings in 1 Kings 3:4-5, and in turn, God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” Or, consider Abram who needed assurance that he’d have the promised child and God asked him to bring Him an offering (Genesis 22). Even Cornelius gave generous alms to people and His prayers along with his alms became a memorial to God and in return he received a visitation from an angelic host (Acts 10:1-3).

Throughout Scripture we see that giving makes the difference, especially when you need to hear from God, need wisdom, favor or just plain answers. God is interested in your willingness to defer to Him, so every time you decide to take an offering to Him, you show homage as well as value in Him and not your worldly treasure.

I don’t know what God has asked of you, or what He will ask of you, but always remember, God is never trying to take anything from you, so don’t withhold, give. You can never lose when you give—freely or obediently.