0390. Giving First to God
Giving First to God
"And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son" (1Ki_17:13).
The story before us is very interesting. Elijah had asked the widow of Zarephath for "a morsel of bread." Broken-heartedly she told the Prophet that she only had a handful of meal left in the barrel, and a little oil in a cruise. Elijah told her to take the meal and oil and make him a cake first, and afterward to make one for herself and for her son.
The widow was obedient to the voice of the Prophet and for many days the meal did not waste, nor did the oil fail.
We have been considering how we should put God first in everything, and also how we should first give ourselves to God. We now consider that when we bring God His portion of our income, we should always put Him first.
In the Book of Malachi there were certain ones spoken of who offered unto God, for sacrifice, the lame or the blind or the sick. What an offense was this! If we should make such an offering to our governor, would he be pleased with us, or accept our person?
When it comes to Christian giving, how many professed believers say, "Behold what a weariness it is." They neither give cheerfully nor freely. They give to God their "leftovers." They seem to think that any old thing will do for God.
There are two all-important considerations that should govern our gifts.
1. We must give to God, the very best. All that we have, we received from Him. We are only stewards, to whom He has committed certain resources. Can it be right then for us to reserve the best for ourselves? And give to God the scattered remains?
There are some who treat God with as little consideration as the rich man treated Lazarus. They hardly yield to God the crumbs that remain from their sumptuous feasts.
2. We must give to God "first," before we take anything for ourselves. The New Testament clearly teaches proportionate giving. Certainly, under grace, that proportion should not fall beneath the Jewish tithe.
When any income is received, immediately the proportion which is God’s, should be set aside for Him.
One other thing is very important. In making our gifts we must know that we are really bringing our meal and oil to God, and not to some man-made scheme for social or civic improvement.
The money that goes to civic improvement, and social uplift, and human righteousness, is really expended upon ourselves. It is not given to God, it is given that we may consume it upon our own comforts.
When we give to God, let us give to real Scriptural service–the preaching of the Gospel at home and abroad, the support of the local needs of a true spiritual church, and the care of God’s poor.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR