BY IT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE GOD
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Another thing we must understand about offering is that it is an acknowledgement of God as our source. When you give to God, what you are saying is that, God, I have come back to say thank you for all I am, all I have and all I will ever be! We are and can be nothing outside of God. The psalmist says it all.
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thine face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Psalm 104:27-29
Can you see? It is not by your power you got what you have. It is God that gives the power to get wealth. So why would you not acknowledge Him? After all, if men do something for you, you go back to give appreciation. You even give gifts in acknowledgement of help received. Why not do the same for God?
If you read the scripture above and the text for today, you will understand the futility of man without God. It is God that took you out of Egypt of poverty and strengthened you in wilderness of lack until you got to your Canaan of abundance. In it all, it was not you but God. Do you know how many people struggled like you but with no results to show? Some are earning more than you but have not accomplished as much as you. What is the difference? The difference is God. “For it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth”! And he does this to establish has covenantt with you. You service that covenant continually with your offering among other things.
When you decline to give offering, what you are saying in your heart is that “My power and the might of mine hand hath giveth me this wealth” (verse 17). When you think like this, the Lord says you have forgotten him and walk after other gods. And the penalty is grave. Our prayer is that God shall give you proper understanding of the biblical concept of offering in Jesus name.
MEDITATION: Deuteronomy 8:19
