Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Friday October 13, 2023 TOPIC: GIVING IN THE KINGDOM

 

BIBLE READING:

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-13

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;  

KEY VERSE:

“For God loves a cheerful giver.” 1 Corinthians 9:7  

MEDITATION:

What should we give to God? Obviously, the era of burnt offerings is overtaken as Jesus has made the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. Sacrifice today is mainly in giving of our material and financial resources for kingdom purpose.   

Every giving in the church setting should be spontaneous and in response to a loving God who daily loads us with physical and spiritual blessings we don’t deserve. Giving includes tithes and offerings. Tithe is the tenth part of one’s spendable income. Abraham who is the Father of Faith was the first to pay tithes – Genesis 14:18-20. He voluntarily gave tithe to Melchizedek, King of Salem (In Hebrews 7:1-4, this King of Salem is believed to be the Lord Jesus Christ; this is so because He blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:19). Abraham gave tithes as a sign of deep appreciation of God’s gracious deliverance. Therefore, anyone who emulates this as a seed of Abraham in the New Testament church is obeying God, except they fail the “motive test.”  Giving of offerings can also be for church projects and the work of the ministry, missionaries and ministers who are full time workers in the church or other Christian organizations, particularly those who labour committedly. As read in today’s text, all giving should be based on ability, willingness, not grudgingly or out of compulsion. God loves and will surely reward cheerful givers.  

God reminds believers that He is the source of their wealth and they should not forget Him when they are satisfied (Deuteronomy 8:18).  

When last did you give a sacrificial offering in your church?  

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I ask for wisdom to invest in your kingdom where nothing can corrupt.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

ISAIAH 33-36, PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30