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The Offerings of Gratitude, August 27
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give;
not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2
Corinthians 9:7
.
Not only should we faithfully render to God our tithes, which He
claims as His own, but we should bring a tribute to His treasury as an
offering of gratitude. Let us with joyful hearts bring to our Creator the
first fruits of all His bounties—our choicest possessions, our best and
holiest service.
The Lord requires gifts to be made at stated times, being so arranged
that giving will become a habit and benevolence be felt to be a Christian
duty. The heart, opened by one gift, is not to have time to become
selfishly cold and to close before the next is bestowed. The stream is
to be continually flowing, thus keeping open the channel by acts of
benevolence.
The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and chari-
table purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income. So heavy
a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce
them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these
regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity.
It is not the greatness of the gift that makes the offering acceptable
to God; it is the purpose of the heart, the spirit of gratitude and love that
it expresses. Let not the poor feel that their gifts are so small as to be
unworthy of notice.
The small sums saved by deeds of sacrifice will do more for the
upbuilding of the cause of God than larger gifts will accomplish that
have not called for denial of self.
There is nothing too precious for us to give to Jesus. If we return to
Him the talents of means He has entrusted to our keeping, He will give
more into our hands. Every effort we make for Christ will be rewarded
by Him; and every duty we perform in His name will minister to our
own happiness.
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