Gen 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered (NLT).
Oftentimes, the subject of giving is taught mainly from the angle of getting something in return. It is rare to see or hear preachers preach about it from the standpoint of worship.
It is a foundational truth that whatever a man sow, he will reap( Gal 6:7). However, the motivation behind giving should not be because we want to get something in return. What about giving as an expression of our worship to God?
Primarily, God created us to worship Him. Our lives and all we do( giving inclusive) is meant to be an expression of His worship.
Revelation 4:11 says, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things( including our substance), and for thy pleasure they are and were created"( Emphasis mine).
We pervert sacred acts when it serves only our purpose and desires instead of His purpose- worship.
If our only reason for giving is to get, we will come under manipulation of all sorts by con men who think material things can 'buy' God.
Those of us who don't promise people "high things" when we ask for support, we may not get quick responses because people are always asking "What's in it for me If i support your ministry"? We do things from a clearer understanding of scriptures not for self-gain.
Where materialism rules, motivation for evangelism, prayer, visitation, prayer, bible study,and so on would be because of what to get from God in return. In such cases, the heart will desire material things more.
It will be a trade-by-barter kind of thing. Some turned the offering box to a money vending machine. This is the bane of materialistic Gospel.
Some were disappointed after sowing heavy seeds under pressure without result. Why? Their understanding about giving was faulty.
The only time some persons give is when the preacher promises something in return for giving. If this describes you, you're a spiritual babe. You need to grow.
Let's learn from our father, Abraham. He gave tithe as an expression of worship to God not even because he wanted anything in return. He wasn't into any 'trade' with God neither was he coerced or put under pressure.
He was not promised a 'sudden breakthrough' in 24 hours. As a matter of fact, he was already wealthy. How do you think you can convince a man of his stature to sow seed so that he can breakthrough? He had everything money could buy in his days.
He understood the greatness of God, his awesomeness and magnificence. He knew God deserved the best of his substance so he gave as an act of worship. In my opinion, this is the highest form of giving.
Just as we express our worship to God in songs, we can do same through our giving.
In the Old Testament, sacrifices to the Lord were designated as “gifts” (Numbers 18:11; Hebrews 5:1) not because God is in need of anything but he demanded for those things as an expression of worship under that dispensation.
When the wisemen from the east worshipped baby Jesus, their worship was expressed in the form of “gifts” (Matthew 2:11). They gave to baby Jesus as an act of worship.
True worshippers are genuine givers who don't need to be coerced. They understand that money is a servant and not a master that should be worshipped. Rather, they give money in worship of the maker of all things.
Apostle Paul confirmed this truth when he commended the Philipians for the financial support sent to him. He said it was “fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”(Phil4:18 ESV). That's worship.
The amount was not important but the heart from which the offering came- a heart of worship.
I want you to adjust your motive and change your perspective on this subject. See your life and all you own as an instrument of worship. Then, giving will not be a burden but an act of worship.
Father, I receive the grace to worship you with my substance in Jesus name.