OFFERINGS

Numbers 7:1-2,11

On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as holy. He also anointed and set apart all its furnishings and the altar with its utensils.

Then the leaders of Israel—the tribal leaders who had registered the troops—came and brought their offerings.

The Lord said to Moses, “Let one leader bring his gift each day for the dedication of the altar.”

Offerings to the Lord has always been from the beginning. We are supposed to bring an offering to the Lord to appreciate what He has done for us. The offering is also a form of worship, acknowledging God for who He is.

Remember the first offering in scriptures from Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:2-7. 

We understood that Cain's offering was rejected because of his evil ways, while that of Abel was accepted.

It is important for us to always have in my mind that our first offering is ourselves. We must give ourselves to the Lord before we can talk of any other offering.

Romans 12:1

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Giving ourselves to the Lord, will make our offerings sacred and acceptable to the Lord. We cannot harbour envy, jealousy, malice, hate and other evil vices and expect to have an acceptable offering.

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:23-24

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Your heart is your first offering!

Remember that there is no more offering for sin, Christ has paid the price, so when you hear things like "indulgences", know that it is anti-Christ! There is nothing like sin-offering after Christ has been revealed.

Christ has paid the price for sin!

Some may ask, does God need our offering?

We must understand that when we offer to God we can give of three things He has given to us, 

* Time

* Talent

* Treasures

Of course we know that God does not have needs, He is sufficient in Himself. However, there are those that have need and it is through our offering and obedience that the Lord reaches out to those who are in need.

This is why those trusted with receiving this gifts and offerings must be careful with the offerings, they must ensure that they  receive, record and use these offerings rightly.

Remember what God said through His prophet:

Malachi 3:8-10

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.

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!

Many ministers who quote this verses only emphasize the giving part but forget the reason for the giving:

" . . .  so there will be enough food in my Temple . . ."

You cannot keep receiving offerings from people and those that work in the temple of God go hungry neither should the widows, orphans etc, they must be taken care of!

Offering is not to satisfy a minister's canal desires, but for the work of the Lord?

Bring an offering today to the Lord who has been good and faithful to you.

Glory to His name forever.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father may I always have abundance that I will continually bring my offerings to You. May I be that person who is Your channel of blessing to many.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher.