Would invite friends over for dinner and offer them a half eaten sandwich left over from lunch? When we live, give and serve, are we giving God, Our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer our leftovers or our first and best? The point isn’t so much what is given, but the how and why behind what is offered. How we live and love, give and serve is a reflection of our heart. It’s not that God needs our stuff, but He wants your heart, all of your heart. When He has your heart, you’re freed up to live, love, and serve eagerly and generously.
Hebrews 11:4 says, "By faith, Abel gave a more acceptable offering than Cain." Ever wonder why Abel's offering was acceptable and Cain's wasn’t? In summary, it’s because he offered it by faith. What does this mean and why does it matter? In Genesis 4 It says that in the course of time, which can also be translated at the end of time (could be a day or a harvesting season), Cain brought an offering form the ground while Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. By faith, Abel brought his first and best while it seems Cain waited and brought his offering out of leftovers, perhaps as an after thought.
There are a lot of things, a lot of good things, religious things, that we can find ourselves doing not by faith. It can be easy to live, give and serve based on our circumstances and how we feel. When we're relying on ourselves and see ourselves as rightful owners of all we’ve earned, we can give and serve hesitantly, out of fear of what we might lack or with a focus on what we’re giving up. But, when we live and love, give and serve by faith, we recognize that God is our Father, Creator and Generous Provider, who loves and cares for us. We realize He’s created us to be stewards charged with advancing His goodness and glory throughout the earth. We live, love, give and serve out of God's abundant provision and promises in anticipation of the fruit to come in and through our lives. In this we make ourselves available for God to release His life-giving, transforming power through our living and loving, giving and serving.
Giving eagerly and generously by faith is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to know Him more. When we give from faith we give our first and best, trusting God to provide all that we need.
May we live and love, give and serve by faith in the One who has given all of Himself for us.
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