✤DAY 1✤
"First Order of Giving"
Romans 6:13
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of
wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who
have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of
yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
II Corinthians 8:5
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first
of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
Fred Craddock, one of the great preachers of the twentieth
century, stated that his father had come to the conclusion that all
the church was after was his name on a roll and his money.
A couple was invited to a church to speak on missions. At the
conclusion of the service the couple overheard a lady in the
congregation saying to herself, “Ah, those missionaries! All they
ever talk about is money, money, money!! Why did the preacher
invite them in the first place?”
Unfortunately, these two sentiments are not uncommon. Many
are those who think the church in general places an over
emphasis on money. One pastor recently said he preaches one
sermon a year on giving, yet there are those in his church who
would say that he talks about money far too much.
Granted there have always been charlatans in the church and
those who would abuse the trust placed in them when it comes to
finances. However, is it accurate to suggest that the church is all
about money?
Consider this. One can attend virtually any church in the United
States, enjoy its fellowship, attend its classes, partake of its
meals, and in general take advantage of every benefit the church
provides without ever having to make a single contribution to the
church. If one were to try that at the theater, the grocery store, or
most other places in society, they would be turned away, thrown
out on their ear, or have law enforcement called in.
Perhaps the issue is not one of an over emphasis on money by
the church but a failure to understand the first principle of
giving. The Macedonians to whom Paul referred in 2 Corinthians
8:5 understood and applied that principle. Before giving
anything monetary, they first gave themselves to the Lord. From
that point on, whatever they gave flowed from their devotion to
Christ. Their giving was a natural response to being in loving
relationship with Jesus.
When we apply that same principle in our own lives, the world
tends to look different. We do not see giving as a duty, chore, or
burden. Instead, we come to the realization that through this
grace of giving we have a blessed opportunity to enter into
Kingdom work with the risen Lord.
Contemplation
What areas of my life have I not totally given to the Lord?
Prayer
Father, I give myself completely over to you to do and to will in
my life as you see fit. You are the potter and I am the clay. Mold
me into the person you want me to be so that I will be an
instrument of your righteousness to the end that you will be
honored and glorified through me.
Amen
Produced by: The Mission Society
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