Imagine you are hiking in the mountains. Your objective is to reach the top of a peak you can see several miles away. Between you and the objective are a few smaller hills and ridge lines. As you set out on your hike, you can easily see the objective as you go, but as you get closer to the smaller hills and ridges they block out your view of the peak, your objective. However, as you climb up the smaller hills, just as you are reaching the top, you again get sight of the objective.

This illustration parallels our lives on earth, as well as our Christian lives. When we get started, we can see our objective, though far off in the future, we see where we are going, but as we encounter the struggles and obstacles of life, they can block out our view of our real objective. We must keep moving forward even though, temporarily, we cannot see our objective, we know it is on the other side of the obstacle. Just as we are overcoming the obstacle, we remember our objective and see it again a little closer than before.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

Dear Lord, we know our ultimate objective is eternity with you. Help us remember to keep our focus on this objective as we overcome the troubles we see day to day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday I wrote about why we give our offerings. Today I am going to wade in the difficult topic of “how much?”

The Old Testament law was very prescriptive on the requirements for tithes (10%) and offerings for different occasions, but since Jesus came to fulfill the law, we are not made right with God by following all the rules of the law, including these. We are made right by what Jesus’ has done for us in his death and resurrection. So we need to look to the New Testament for guidance, since the Old Testament rulebook is superseded.

We must remember first, that everything we have is God’s already. When we give, we are only giving back from what he has first given us.

We can read what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:7-8, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” In simple terms, we can’t out-give God.

Jesus gives some guidance in Matthew 23:23, After calling the Pharisees hypocrites for over-emphasizing following the rules of the law, Jesus says, “You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”

So what does this boil down to? There is some indication that a tithe (10%) is the target, but we need to decide for ourselves what to give. Set our own goals. Stretch and give God the opportunity to show us his blessing. Remember what God told us through Malachi, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”

Dear Lord, the hymn goes, “We give the but thine own, what e’r the gift may be, all that we have is thine alone, a trust O Lord from thee.” Help us give from our faith and in response to your grace, knowing that you will always provide us what we need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

What if one Sunday morning at Church after the offering, the Pastor brought out metal can, put all the offerings in it and burned them. What would you think?
“What is he doing? That money could be used to pay the salaries of the church staff, or the utility bills, or repave the parking lot, so many things it could be used for, what a waste.”

In the biblical times, many people did not have money to make offerings, they brought their livestock, and produce as offerings to God. Many of these offerings were burned up on the altar.

What is the point of making offerings to the Church if they are just going to be wasted? Maybe the more important thing about giving offerings is what it means to us the giver, and not to the Church. It is a demonstration of our obedience to God, and I think most importantly, a demonstration of our trust in God rather than our money.

God tells his people, which includes us, through the prophet Malachi, in Malahai 3:10-11, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,”

Dear Lord, All the world’s resources are yours. You don’t need our offerings. Help us realize we need to bring our tithes and offerings to you to demonstrate and strengthen our faith that you are in control of our destiny. When we trust you, you will provide for us and bless us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Is there someone and someplace that just makes you happy even thinking about. For example, walking on the beach with your spouse, playing games around the table with your children, playing with your grandchildren, spending time with your friends, or even playing with your dog or cat. Just being around them brings you a feeling of joy.

In a similar way, Psalm 16:11 says about God, “… in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When we can truly experience God’s presence in our lives, we can feel the peace and joy that He promises. In order to get closer to God’s presence, we do like James writes in 4:8 “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you.”

Dear Lord help us do those things that draw us closer to you, reading your word and putting it into practice, that we may experience the fullness of joy you promise. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

People that do “good,” or that strive to do what they understand is God’s direction for them typically are not doing that because they expect some reward. However, it is interesting what Paul writes in Galatians 6:9, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

I think there are two messages for us in this verse. First, we will receive blessings for doing good. Second, the blessings will come at the right time for us. We may hope and pray for certain things, but they may not be good for us now. If we keep striving to do what the Bible teaches, and not give up as Paul says, God will give us the blessings we need at the “right time” for each of us.

Dear Lord, we know you are watching each of us, and know our needs and desires. Help us keep doing your will, being blessings to others. Thank you for blessing us in your time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.