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Offering to the Lord

An offering to the Lord

by Michael Walkerdine

We all go through life struggling at times with what life throws at us. If you’re like me you don’t spend any where near enough time reading the scripture or spending enough time in quiet prayer. And often when I do its usually saying:

Please God do this for me,

I want this God, gimme gimme gimme

Please let this happen,

I need to pray for Aunty Grezelda.. and….. who else is there….. Must make sure I get any blessing that’s going

Then I get a bit naughty and say if you do this for me God I will be able to do that.

Bargaining, bargaining with God. Sound familiar?

Do we always pray with the right heart?

Do we always place our father on the throne – in his rightful place?

Do we approach him with obedience, humility and respect?

Do we fit him in between Eastenders and the Star Wars movie, do we put football first

Do we, do we??

Is it not sometimes the case – I oughter get down and do a bit of praying, and when you pray out of habit, and your hearts not in it – you really feel bad, you say to yourself well I have prayed – you see you can fool yourself most of the time – but you cant fool God any of the time. And we know when we have been dishonourable to him.

Matthew 6:5

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then you’re Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I believe that this one scripture tells us how to have a relationship with God,

If we obey this one scripture the door is opened for all the riches and glory that God has for us.

If we obey this one scripture it enables us a direct line to Gods bank account.

Do you want to make a withdrawal from his bank account? – More about that a little later – first lets get into his throne room, lets get into the place where God can strut his stuff.

What's this place all about?

It’s about making time for him.

It’s about setting aside time specifically for him

Its about putting the things of this world -

the shopping list,

the need to cook lunch,

do the washing,

the what are we going to watch on TV tonight-

to one side and concentrating wholly and completely and unreservedly on our saviour and the opportunity for us to tell him what’s troubling us,

what’s exciting us,

who we are concerned about.

And more importantly to hear what God wants to say to us.

By following this simple instruction we put the devil back in his box, he will still try and distract us when we are spending time with God – but if we assign that special time to God– we make it more difficult for old Lucifer

I don’t know if you realise this but I have just opened the door to the devil, I mentioned a list of things that distract us – shopping, lunch, maybe even - must get petrol for the lawnmower,or that guttering needs clearing or hope the weather will be good this afternoon. Some of you have probably already switched off - or your minds have started to wonder– thinking about other things –cor how much longer are you going to rabbit, Mikey, what time is it – if I move my wrist a bit I can see my watch. Hopefully no one will notice me looking, that would be rude – we’ve all done it, haven t we?

Come back, come back come back - listen to Mikey and Devil be gone!

I am really looking forward to the day when William will come and sit on my knee and tell me all about his day, his worries,

His friends,

His wants,

And his love for me, and I will be able to tell him how much I love him,

Tell him why he shouldn’t worry,

Advise him,

Guide him,

And hopefully supply his every need. I will give him what is good for him,

Give him what he needs,

Encourage him to help him self and rely upon the Lord.

And it’s the same with God he is really looking forward to the time when I will sit on his knee and tell him all about my day,

My worries,

My friends,

My wants

And my love for him.

And God will show me how much he loves me,

Why I shouldn’t worry,

Advise me,

Guide me,

And supply my every need; he will give me what’s good for me,

Give me what I need and encourage me to rely on him.

When we go into our room - God doesn’t uh oh here is Simon – oh no I’m out of here –time for tea!! he says I wonder what’s on Simons mind, I am going to get closer so I can hear properly – here is my son in whom I am well pleased.

God wants you, and he wants new recruits

When we have got our relationship with God sorted out – we can then start to receive the blessings that are promised to us – but we need to be sure that we understand how to maximise on Gods blessings and how to make the maximum withdrawal on his bank account –

But, Gods bank isn’t just about finances – he has

A Bank of opportunity

A Bank of love

A Bank of blessings

A Bank of healing

A Bank of prosperity

A Bank of abundance

A Bank of mercy

A Bank of forgiveness

And a mansion for each and every one of us.

Its no secret to know that the devil wants you have nothing, if you are poor financially, spiritually, and in bad health then he believes he has a grip on your life.

If you were given 7 million pounds – would you spend it on supplying the down and outs with heroine? Would you spend it on pornography, or be down the pub every day???? I hope your answer would be no – I would be happy to lay hands on anyone who says yes!! I guess a large proportion of that money would go to helping others, blessing others, building up the church of God and demolishing the walls of Satan.

So why would Satan want you to have money, why would Satan want you to have the desires of your heart?

He wouldn’t, and generally those that have it don’t want those that don’t have it to have it either. Satan wants you to think that you are ok struggling as long as you have enough for your family. He knows that if you have money you will use it for the Kingdom of God.

Who here today has a wallet with them? Get them out? What are wallets generally made out of – leather?

Now turn to exodus 10:24

EX 10:24 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind."

Why did Pharaoh tell them to leave behind the flocks and herds behind?

Because they represented their wealth – Pharaoh said you can go but leave your herds / money behind – Satan knew that they would be back after three days – if they had no wealth.

You can do very little without money, the church can do very little without money – and Satan knows it

I am going to talk about offerings and tapping into the bank account - but I just wanted to mention the importance of Tithing.

Tithing opens the door see Malachi 3:9

"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

If every believer across the world tithed 10% of their Gross income Gods church would be able to do tremendous work and fulfill Gods work.

Once you’ve tithed you can test God, once you’ve tithed God will harvest the seed you have sown that he has accepted

Offerings are over and above tithing not a replacement for and if we turn to

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

I can sow a seed with an ulterior motive – hmm if I give this then God says he will do this. You see

The act of giving

The wonderful feeling of giving

The kindness that’s in your heart when you’re giving,

Pales into insignificance if your hearts not in it or if you give only for the payback.

But note in this scripture it says for with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

So if your measure is a thimble – God will measure back in multiples of thimbles – and it will be pressed down, shaken together and running over.

If your measure is a cup then God will measure back in multiples of cups,

If it’s a bucket,

Wheel barrow, skip, car, lorry, tanker, sky full, universe full- then I think you get the drift.

You are in control of your own blessings, what you give is a measure on what will be given back. I don’t mean to say that if you give a dolls house – you will get back a mansion, or if you give paper aeroplane you will get back a plastic airfix model, incidentally you don’t want an airfix model – I used to be a test pilot for airfix.

2CO 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9

Only God has the power to multiply back to you, only God can give you a harvest on your seed.

The pastor cant do it, the oversight cant do it, I cant do it, only God can do it – if I could do it every one would be multi millionaires, enjoying the life they want.

But listen to this the only seed that will bring a harvest into your life is the seed that God accepts – God does not accept every offering, the church will accept it,

The church will bank it.

The church will spend it

And the church will benefit from it– but only God will decide if it is acceptable to him. If its not acceptable to him then there will be no blessing. If you sow a seed and it doesn’t please God there will be no harvest from it

Believe me every Sunday people give in churches across the globe and God says I’m not accepting that.

2 Cor 9:5

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 2CO 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever."

2CO 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supplies and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Now lets look at Genesis 4:3

3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

GE 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Cain s offering was not respected by God – it wasn’t about what Cain offered it was about his heart. Look at verse 7

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;

God looks beyond the offering right into your heart, God has conditions lets look at Exodus 25:1

The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give

God said that the people must be willing, wise and their hearts stirred up.

So if you are not willing, not wise and your heart is not stirred up – keep your money. Don’t give grudgingly, because you will be wasting your money. Never give under pressure, if there is no conviction in your heart – there will be no benefit for you.

God did not accept Cain and he did not accept his offering

God says if I am not happy with you then there is no way I can be happy with your offering

He looks deeper than your offering he looks deeper into your heart and your motives

So how can we be sure that our offering are acceptable to God – well in Genesis 4 we only need to look at Abel – his offering was acceptable.

In Hebrews we can see that this is confirmed

Lets look at Hebrews11:4

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

It’s all about giving with faith, and giving sacrificially. If you are not giving by faith then you are sinning.

Did you know that?

Romans 14:23

23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

So this is why God will not accept it. It also why it is called an offering – when an offer is made it gives the opportunity to accept or reject.

So what is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 tells us

HEB 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Your offering should never be done as a religious duty, when you make an offering expect a return in something you cannot see.

God says use your offering to me as your collection to the promise that I have made over you life

When you sow your seed expect something in return for it

God knows you love him, but he expects you to expect something back from your seed – he wants you to expect a harvest – did you know that?

Hebrews 11:6 says

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

The whole Kingdom of God is built on the system of reward; he is a reward giving God. He loves to give and to bless and to be loved

On the other hand Satan is liar, cheat and a thief – and he doesn’t need faith – but like I say every time I am up here he believes in God too. His one aim is to drag you down

When you got saved - you got saved because you didn’t want God to be lonely in heaven – you felt sorry for him didn’t you?

No, no, no you got saved because you didn’t want to go to hell

When you got baptised in the Holy Spirit – you thought that there weren’t enough people speaking in tongues and you though you would boost the spiritual atmosphere of the church

No, you know that you need the Holy Ghost in your life

So why is it that the devil has put a block in our minds when it comes to the issue of money

We expect peace from God when we need peace of mind

We expect God to give us direction when we are confused

So why should we have a problem when we expect him to bless us financially

God is a rich God – the bible says ‘the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.’

Did you know that there are enough resources in the earth for every one on earth, about 6 billion people, that’s every man woman, boy and girl to have at least 7 million pounds each. I’ve already spent my share.

Its true - its been proved – that’s what we have now – every second, more wealth is discovered and realised on this planet, in the seas and in the ground

Bill Gates is worth about 90 billion dollars – that’s one man!

It all belongs to God – it was there when Adam and Eve was here – the devil doesn’t want you to have it.

Why cant you be a millionaire,

We cant have too much healing can we?

We cant have too much love can we?

So is it possible we can have too much money. I don’t think so

Our financial blessings are controlled by us; they are controlled by our faith

If when offering you offer up something that is not important to you – then it wont be important to God. We’ve all done it – hand in an amount when the offerings are taken, ‘tipping God for a nice sermon and a nice time.

If you give up an offering that is done out of religious duty – then it wont be important to God. As it’s not important to you.

When the offering is collected, if you are offering grudgingly, don’t do it, and don’t worry about what others are thinking, I’ve seen people in many churches put there hand in the bag and drop air in.

Your financial blessings are down to you.

Believe in God to bless you, Faith in your seed and faith in God

So what is faith? How do we get faith?

Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God

Romans 10:17

If you have to give an offering pause and hear from God.

Never give out of emotion - never be hoodwinked. Never be forced and never give out of guilt.

If Gods sees your heart is right – he will speak to you.

He knows the amount of seed you need to sow to translate into a harvest in the future. If you’re right with God – God will guide you.

You know when you are making an offering with the right heart, there are tears in your eyes, your life is on that offering – God sees that – it must be like when a young child makes something in school and brings it home especially for you. God is a better father to us than we can ever be a parent to our own kids

So who wants to be financially blessed? Who wants to be able to say I have too much money?

Well, to be better off than you are now takes four steps

Step 1. Make time to be with God and talk to him.

Step 2. Offer your self as a living sacrifice -

Romans 12:1

RO 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Step 3. Tithe 10 % of your gross income

Step 4. Make offerings by faith that will be pleasing to God.

And remember you decide the measure.

Thought for the week

‘If God is your co pilot – swap seats!!!’

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