It is praiseworthy when we give not only to our power but beyond our power.  I mean, you do not give only when it is convenient for you.  You should give even when it causes some pain to do so, for then your offering would be sacrificial.  If this is our aim of giving, though we may give out a little, our offerings  shall be accepted to Jesus.

What have we to give?  Every good thing the Lord has given to us – remember we are debtors; God alone is the Creditor, Provider.  Everything we have, comes from Him and everything we would have in the future would come from Him as well, so use all your substance to honour God.

When it is a time of giving, it’s a time of remorse, not a time to show off.  When it is a time of giving, it’s a time to dishonour ourselves so that God might be honoured.  Some people often think that when they perform some responsibility in the church, they have bargained with God so that they can get whatever they want.  When they pray and answer to their prayer seems to delay in coming, they feel betrayed by God.  They see whatever they ask from Him as a way of manipulating Him into giving approval to their selfish motives – because they play some roles in the church, or because they are an evangelists.

Your focus determines your feelings.  Because you play some roles in the church, because you have suffered so much, because you have been a good and sincere person, because you have been faithful to the church, these reasons are not any basis for claiming blessing from God.

Your head, your hands, your arms, your knees belong to Jesus.  He is the owner of your soul.  What have you to give?  Teaching, preaching, jumping, laughing, the work of kindness and goodness – these are not  brought to pass by anything done by us.  Therefore, all boasting is excluded.  He who glories must not glory in himself but in the Lord.  There is no room for any man to boast of his ability and power.  God has ordered all so that the whole shall appear to be of grace.

It is in Him we live, we move, we laugh, we jump, we preach, we do all things.  It takes the maturity that comes from faith to realise that our responsibility in the church, our responsibility to God is a commitment and fellowship with Him rather than sacrifice.  Of all graces, faith honours Christ the most. Of all graces, Christ honours faith the most

Some people see that they have to give as a help to those they are giving to, whereas it is a privilege to be in a position to give.  Remember, that God expects our best because He gives us His best (John 3:16).  God has a Son; He planted Him in the earth to produce a family.  Today, millions are born again through this Seed.

We are expected to show appreciation to this Seed at all times.  How do we register our appreciation to Him?  What have you to give,  give it in humility and in reference to God.