By Bro. Sunday Eyanrin (Evang.)
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Introduction
Giving to God from the abundance of blessing He has blessed man with, has been in all ages, this is done to appreciate Him. In the Christian dispensation, giving is one of the five Items of the Christian worship, as commanded in the Scriptures.
Definition of Words
It has become necessary that we define the key word on our heading: “LEFTOVER”.
WHAT IS LEFTOVER?
LEFTOVER – can be simply defined as that which remains unused. Or the quantity of food that remains after meal.
LET US CONSIDER SOME EXAMPLES OF GIVING OR OFFERING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
The first Example of Offering in the Bible began with Cain and Abel, the Sons of Adam and Eve in Gen. 4: 1‐8.
Gen 4:1‐8
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought
of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And
its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. NKJV
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL GAVE POLLUTED OFFERINGS TO THE LORD
In Malachi 1:6‐8, God was displeased with the Children of Israel for offering polluted offerings to the Lord. And the Lord declared.
“A son honours his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honour? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
Mal. 1:7‐9
“You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?‘ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’ 8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favourably?“ Says the Lord of hosts. NKJV
Brethren, if GOD has taken away the Burdens of Tithes and Burnt offerings from us, from you and me.
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GIVING TO GOD AS A CHRISTIANS?
In Heb. 10:5‐10, the Scriptures declared.
Heb. 10:5‐10 – Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come — In the volume of the book it is written of Me — To do Your will, O God.'” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering,
burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them”(which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. NKJV
Brethren, Does it matter to you, if your Giving is rejected by GOD?
GOD’S LAW COMMANDING CHRISTIANS TO GIVE
Due to prevailing circumstances’, in the inception of the church at Jerusalem, Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave the command in 1 Cor. 16:1‐2. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. NKJV
INSRUCTIONS ABOUT GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
2 Cor. 9:6‐8
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. NKJV
IF THE LORD HAS COMMANDED US TO GIVE WHAT THEN IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GIVING?
Let us consider some attitudes towards giving:
ARE YOU A STINGY GIVER?
The children of Israel held back their tithes and offerings to the house of God. Malachi.3:6– 10, 2. Cor. 9: 8.
ARE YOU A GENEROUS GIVER?
The widow, who gave and believe that, God shall provide. Mk.12: 42 – 44.
LET US CONSIDER SOME NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ON GIVING
1. As Christians, we must first have a desire to give.
First a willing mind Not grudgingly or of necessity. 2 Cor. 8:3, 2 Cor. 8:11 – 12, 2 Cor. 9: 7
2. Christians must be willing to give – 2 Cor. 8:5
3. Christians must love ‐ 2 Cor. 8: 24
4. Our giving must be what we have and not what we don’t have.
NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS GIVING
Brethren, it is now or never that we have a change of our negative attitudes toward giving. Every Lord’s day we pray and beg GOD for not giving rightly, we have been blessed by the Lord, but every passing Lord’s Day, we rub Him. The Lord has declared in Rom. 6:1‐2.
Rom. 6:1‐2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? NKJV
Heb. 10:26
26 For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longerremains a sacrifice for sins. NKJV
Beloved, are you among those who give leftover money as giving to the Lord? You must repent of this evil attitude today and the Lord will bless you.
Conclusion
Brethren, remember that you must sow bountifully in other to reap bountifully, for God loves a cheerful giver. May God help us to understand his word in Jesus name – amen.
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