Giving our Possessions to God
Introduction. As God created the heavens and the earth, He did everything and made everything perfect and complete. So much so that when Paul later spoke to those in Athens, He told them that God is not “served with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25). It was only because God wanted us to have fellowship with Him that He asked us to bring some of “His own things” that we might help Him with His plans. Although He is not “served as though He needed anything,” it is a great honor for God to ask us to help Him. It is a wonderful blessing that God allowed us to be an integral part of His plans. Although He told Israel, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness”, yet He still wanted them to bring their sacrifices and offerings and work with Him. (Ps. 50:9-14).
Since God doesn’t need anything, the things He does ask us to give are only for our own best interests. Making sacrifices to God of our material possessions is one of the few ways we can show our love, devotion, gratitude, sacrifice, glory, faith and submission to Him. We are like a young child, wanting to give his parents a present, but having nothing of his own to give. Hence, by allowing us to give back to Him what is already His, we have been given an amazing opportunity.
When God asked Israel to build Him a sanctuary and tabernacle, He gave an exact pattern and asked them to bring the materials. God could have created a much more beautiful and elaborate sanctuary than Israel could build for Him, but He wanted their fellowship and He wanted them to be part of His plans. That’s why He commanded that it be “an offering from everyone who gives it willingly with his heart.” God was much more concerned with the willing heart, than He was with the offering itself. “Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord,” “everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing.” (Ex. 25:1-2; 35:4-5 20-22).
Centuries later, Israel was allowed to build a temple in Jerusalem, and David was very excited to be given this opportunity. As a man after God’s own heart and a wonderful example to all God’s servants, He seized the chance to be a part of this great work: “I have prepared with all my might” “for the house of my God.” He did this “because I have set my affection on the house of my God,” and “I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver.” David was thrilled to have an opportunity to sacrifice his “own special treasure of gold and silver” for God. His example led others to do the same. “Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.” (1Chr. 29:1-9).
This joy had nothing to do with the amount of gold and silver because that was already God’s. David freely admitted they had nothing of their own to give. “But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.” “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.” Not only did David feel this joy, but God also took pleasure that they had passed this test and revealed their upright heart. “I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.” (1Chr. 29:14-18). In this way, the foundation of sacrifice and giving revealed in the Old Covenant is “for our learning and for our example.” (Rom. 15:4).
When Jesus came down from heaven, He built upon and expanded this. Our possessions play such a vital role in our life, they clearly reveal our priorities and the focus of our heart. Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We dare not deny that willing and generous giving reveals those who truly “seek first His kingdom and righteousness.” It is imperative we ask ourselves “Where is my treasure?” Is it in the bank? In the quantity of my possessions? Has a large portion been given to expand the kingdom? Since the location of our heart is also the location of our possessions and treasures this is a critical question to ask. (Mt. 6:19-21, 33).
Jesus expanded on David’s words about giving reflecting loyalty and love to God. Since “No one can serve two masters”, the manner we give reveals who we serve. Those who “give grudgingly or of necessity” are still loyal to their possessions. Those who are “cheerful givers” in their generosity and willingness manifest their pure love and loyalty to God. Over the years whether willingly or through procrastination, we each has made this choice. Those who give to God “hate” their possessions, while those who keep their possessions are “loyal” to them. Jesus said it just happens that way and we can’t escape it: “Either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mt. 6:24). Who we love and who we hate, who receives our loyalty and whom we despise is clearly revealed to God by where we keep our possessions and treasures.
The manner of our giving also reveals the depth of our faith in God’s promises. Jesus promised the use of our money “lays up treasures on the earth” or “lays up treasures in heaven.” This is a clear test we cannot escape. If the things we treasure are still on this earth in a bank or in great possessions, they will remain here after we are gone, lost to us for all eternity. But those who give freely, loyally and willingly, “provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail.” (Lk. 12:32-34).
In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus spoke of a man with treasures laid up on earth. When “this night your soul will be required of you,” God’s question reveals the reality: “then whose will those things be which you have provided?” Clearly, they were lost to him. All the work and labor of his life was left behind and profited him nothing. Jesus warned we are all in this danger: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Lk. 12:20-21). As we reflect on how we use our “treasure”, are we “rich toward God?” We must not ignore the Jesus’ words: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” (Lk. 16:9). We ignore this to our own peril and eternal loss.
It has always been God’s plan to rely on the willing sacrifices of His people. From the tabernacle to the priesthood and the Levites, He wanted Israel to provide everything. First, they willingly offered the materials for the tabernacle. Then, they willingly offered their vows, offerings and first fruits to pay the priests (Num. 18:8-20) and the tithes to pay the Levites. (Num. 18:21-24). As long as Israel’s giving was generous and done willingly, God’s work progressed and prospered. But when the faithful refused to shoulder their financial obligations, God’s work languished. Nehemiah rebuked Israel when he saw “that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field.” He then asked the rulers the obvious question. "Why is the house of God forsaken?” (Neh. 13:10-11). The answer was obvious. The faithful had refused their part in the fellowship of God’s work. Later God accused Israel of robbing Him because they had refused to bring their tithes and offerings. As a result, His house was empty and His work not being done. (Mal. 3:8-10).
Nothing has changed. Jesus paid the greatest price ever paid to buy and build the church - He gave His life blood to fulfill God’s eternal purpose to reveal His wisdom in the church. (Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph 3:9-10). Since then all her financial needs have been the responsibility of the faithful in each local church. Those with generous members see the church working and glorifying God. Those whose members are stingy see their work stunted and languishing. Even with the promised treasures in heaven, many still keep their treasures on the earth and in so doing do not “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” As David said, our giving proves an upright and loyal heart.
Conclusion. Each local church has been given the good works God prepared beforehand. It takes money to fulfill the great commission, edify the members and care for the benevolent needs of the saints. God gave the church the first day of the week contribution (1Cor. 16:1-2) to do all this work. Those who are not “laying up treasure in heaven” will hinder the church in its work while those who are “ rich toward God” allow the work of the church to move forward. This creates a grievous temptation to some. With Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords sitting on the throne of His glory, it is hard to watch as many local churches struggle to find the funds to do their work. But the answer is not in finding alternative ways to get funding, but to preach to the brethren about their obligations and the blessing that will come if they fulfill them.
Since God doesn’t need anything, the things He does ask us to give are only for our own best interests. Making sacrifices to God of our material possessions is one of the few ways we can show our love, devotion, gratitude, sacrifice, glory, faith and submission to Him. We are like a young child, wanting to give his parents a present, but having nothing of his own to give. Hence, by allowing us to give back to Him what is already His, we have been given an amazing opportunity.
When God asked Israel to build Him a sanctuary and tabernacle, He gave an exact pattern and asked them to bring the materials. God could have created a much more beautiful and elaborate sanctuary than Israel could build for Him, but He wanted their fellowship and He wanted them to be part of His plans. That’s why He commanded that it be “an offering from everyone who gives it willingly with his heart.” God was much more concerned with the willing heart, than He was with the offering itself. “Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord,” “everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing.” (Ex. 25:1-2; 35:4-5 20-22).
Centuries later, Israel was allowed to build a temple in Jerusalem, and David was very excited to be given this opportunity. As a man after God’s own heart and a wonderful example to all God’s servants, He seized the chance to be a part of this great work: “I have prepared with all my might” “for the house of my God.” He did this “because I have set my affection on the house of my God,” and “I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver.” David was thrilled to have an opportunity to sacrifice his “own special treasure of gold and silver” for God. His example led others to do the same. “Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.” (1Chr. 29:1-9).
This joy had nothing to do with the amount of gold and silver because that was already God’s. David freely admitted they had nothing of their own to give. “But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.” “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.” Not only did David feel this joy, but God also took pleasure that they had passed this test and revealed their upright heart. “I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.” (1Chr. 29:14-18). In this way, the foundation of sacrifice and giving revealed in the Old Covenant is “for our learning and for our example.” (Rom. 15:4).
When Jesus came down from heaven, He built upon and expanded this. Our possessions play such a vital role in our life, they clearly reveal our priorities and the focus of our heart. Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We dare not deny that willing and generous giving reveals those who truly “seek first His kingdom and righteousness.” It is imperative we ask ourselves “Where is my treasure?” Is it in the bank? In the quantity of my possessions? Has a large portion been given to expand the kingdom? Since the location of our heart is also the location of our possessions and treasures this is a critical question to ask. (Mt. 6:19-21, 33).
Jesus expanded on David’s words about giving reflecting loyalty and love to God. Since “No one can serve two masters”, the manner we give reveals who we serve. Those who “give grudgingly or of necessity” are still loyal to their possessions. Those who are “cheerful givers” in their generosity and willingness manifest their pure love and loyalty to God. Over the years whether willingly or through procrastination, we each has made this choice. Those who give to God “hate” their possessions, while those who keep their possessions are “loyal” to them. Jesus said it just happens that way and we can’t escape it: “Either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mt. 6:24). Who we love and who we hate, who receives our loyalty and whom we despise is clearly revealed to God by where we keep our possessions and treasures.
The manner of our giving also reveals the depth of our faith in God’s promises. Jesus promised the use of our money “lays up treasures on the earth” or “lays up treasures in heaven.” This is a clear test we cannot escape. If the things we treasure are still on this earth in a bank or in great possessions, they will remain here after we are gone, lost to us for all eternity. But those who give freely, loyally and willingly, “provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail.” (Lk. 12:32-34).
In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus spoke of a man with treasures laid up on earth. When “this night your soul will be required of you,” God’s question reveals the reality: “then whose will those things be which you have provided?” Clearly, they were lost to him. All the work and labor of his life was left behind and profited him nothing. Jesus warned we are all in this danger: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Lk. 12:20-21). As we reflect on how we use our “treasure”, are we “rich toward God?” We must not ignore the Jesus’ words: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” (Lk. 16:9). We ignore this to our own peril and eternal loss.
It has always been God’s plan to rely on the willing sacrifices of His people. From the tabernacle to the priesthood and the Levites, He wanted Israel to provide everything. First, they willingly offered the materials for the tabernacle. Then, they willingly offered their vows, offerings and first fruits to pay the priests (Num. 18:8-20) and the tithes to pay the Levites. (Num. 18:21-24). As long as Israel’s giving was generous and done willingly, God’s work progressed and prospered. But when the faithful refused to shoulder their financial obligations, God’s work languished. Nehemiah rebuked Israel when he saw “that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field.” He then asked the rulers the obvious question. "Why is the house of God forsaken?” (Neh. 13:10-11). The answer was obvious. The faithful had refused their part in the fellowship of God’s work. Later God accused Israel of robbing Him because they had refused to bring their tithes and offerings. As a result, His house was empty and His work not being done. (Mal. 3:8-10).
Nothing has changed. Jesus paid the greatest price ever paid to buy and build the church - He gave His life blood to fulfill God’s eternal purpose to reveal His wisdom in the church. (Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph 3:9-10). Since then all her financial needs have been the responsibility of the faithful in each local church. Those with generous members see the church working and glorifying God. Those whose members are stingy see their work stunted and languishing. Even with the promised treasures in heaven, many still keep their treasures on the earth and in so doing do not “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” As David said, our giving proves an upright and loyal heart.
Conclusion. Each local church has been given the good works God prepared beforehand. It takes money to fulfill the great commission, edify the members and care for the benevolent needs of the saints. God gave the church the first day of the week contribution (1Cor. 16:1-2) to do all this work. Those who are not “laying up treasure in heaven” will hinder the church in its work while those who are “ rich toward God” allow the work of the church to move forward. This creates a grievous temptation to some. With Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords sitting on the throne of His glory, it is hard to watch as many local churches struggle to find the funds to do their work. But the answer is not in finding alternative ways to get funding, but to preach to the brethren about their obligations and the blessing that will come if they fulfill them.