“Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.”
Memory verse: “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16
Few days ago I was thinking about giving to the Lord and this reasoning came because this topic has become one constantly preached on in churches. My thoughts became a discussion which birthed a lot of questions? Why are Christians struggling with giving? What is the right way to give? Are we really giving to the Lord? Can we, and a whole list of endless questions.
Often all we hear is giving to the house of the Lord and realistically, only a few people are really interested because of the negative press in the news and the lack of understanding behind giving.
Let’s take a good look at the life of King Solomon who took over from his father as king. Solomon was the child chosen to take over ruling Israel, yes and he was benefiting from the promises the Lord made to his father king David but none of those were the reason why Solomon became the wisest king of all time. It was his attitude towards giving to the Lord that earned him a blank check from God. His offering pleased the Lord and in return he got more than he could ever wish for; else he would have been king but just like every normal king. What made Solomon special was the application of his God given wisdom which reflected in his attitude towards giving to the Lord. The scripture says “And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.” I Kings 3:13
By closely noting the events in Solomon’s life, we see that Solomon and his people went intentionally to high places to offer their sacrifices to the Lord at Gibeon. This giving was different from any other giving as this was meant for the Lord himself according to the instructions for the Israelites in the Old Testament in line with Leviticus 17.
Things may have changed a lot as the Lord doesn’t require those traditional sacrifices any longer. Likewise, knowing God and walking in His ways is not a special sacrifice because our lives belongs to Him and that’s what we should naturally do as errs What pleases him more is our intentional sacrifice, the extra mile you go towards pleasing Him, the Love towards everything about Him and that’s what will call his special attention towards us.
Prayers, fasting, worship and the rest alike are for our own benefits but when we give intentionally to God, we are doing it to please Him. Imagine doing things that puts a smile on Gods face? That’s what your giving can do. It’s not out of eye service or for recognition but to God and for His glory.
Let us reason and change our intention and attitude towards giving. I pray all our giving will be a sweet aroma in God’s presence. Amen.
PRAYERS
- Father I thank you for another great day of experiencing your faithfulness
- I am grateful for your grace and leading me to live a purpose driven life
- Help me from today Lord to stop nonchalant giving. I receive the zeal to put effort and render special offerings unto you with good intentions
- Help me Lord to please you with my giving, let them be a sweet smelling aroma in your presence
- Help me from today to inspire others, to teach them your doctrine, to live a life of a good example and be geared towards fulfilling the great mandate of teaching others.
- Thank you for your word which gives life, thank you for the grace to hear you while you are speaking into my life and situations facing me
- Help me from today Lord to focus solely on you and not be distracted with satisfying man
- Rid me of every distraction, let my desire be heavenly and not focused on carnality
- Forgive me Lord of all my iniquities, bless me abundantly and make me a blessing unto others, in Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen
