SACRIFICE;
GIVING

Our Lord knew that in these times there would be those in our churches who are just highly-groomed show pieces of Christianity—middle class and well-to-do, satisfied with a religious life that costs them nothing.

Oh, yes, we do tithe! But the nine-tenths that we keep is still a hundred times more than our mothers and fathers used to have. It is right that we should tithe because it is God’s work, but it does not really cost us anything—it does not bring us to the point of sacrificial giving. An old prophet of God long ago said something for us all: “Shall I offer God something that costs me nothing?”

Friend, what has your Christian faith and witness cost you this week?…

I realize that this message will not win any popularity prizes in the Christian ranks, but I must add this based on my observations on the current state of the church: Christianity to the average evangelical church member is simply an avenue to a good and pleasant time, with a little biblical devotional material thrown in for good measure!

It is time that we begin to search our hearts and ask ourselves: “What is my Christian faith costing me? Am I offering to God something that has cost me absolutely nothing in terms of blood or sweat or tears?”

2 Samuel 24:24; Malachi 1:13–14; Matthew 24:10–12

Who Put Jesus on the Cross?, 77, 78, 79.