Thursday, September 3, 2015

God Doesn't Want Your Money - He Wants Your Heart




“He would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.” —2 Samuel 23:16

“What has been like “water from the well of Bethlehem” to you recently— love, friendship, or maybe some spiritual blessing (2 Samuel 23:16)? […] You can never set apart for God something that you desire for yourself to achieve your own satisfaction. If you try to satisfy yourself with a blessing from God, it will corrupt you. You must sacrifice it, pouring it out to God— something that your common sense says is an absurd waste.[…] If you have become bitter and sour, it is because when God gave you a blessing you hoarded it. Yet if you had poured it out to Him, you would have been the sweetest person on earth. If you are always keeping blessings to yourself and never learning to pour out anything “to the Lord,” other people will never have their vision of God expanded through you.”  CHAMBERS

When David told his mentioned to his men that he wanted some water from a well that was held by the enemy, they risked their lives to get it for him.  (2 Samuel 13:17)  David was so humbled by their willingness to sacrifice themselves for him, that he poured the water out on the ground as an offering to the Lord.  Does that seem like a waste to you?  Let me remind you of another story … (Matthew 26:6-13)  A woman poured expensive perfume out on Jesus feet.  She was criticized for wasting the expensive perfume.  The critics failed to see the spiritual significance of what was happening.  They saw things as natural men.  What are you willing to offer to God?  A sacrifice is not just giving something to the Lord, it is giving something of great worth to the Lord.  Many times we give what is left over.  If or when you tithe, do you think about what you have left to give, or do you give to the Lord first?  God does not really want our money .. He wants our devotion.  That is the idea of “first fruits”.  (Proverbs 3:5-10)

When God blesses you, it is for the purpose of blessing others.  Whether it is water from the well, perfume in a bottle, your checkbook, or your way of life, you must lay it down, willingly.  Don’t put money in the plate out of obligation, do it out of devotion.  “God loves a cheerful giver.”  (2 Corinthians 9:7) Having said that, this devotion is not about tithing money … it is about tithing your life.  Just as Abraham was blessed to be a blessing … so are we.  Think about it.  ELGIN

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

No comments: