Title
Giving From Our Recourses
Scripture
King David said to Ornan, "No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing."
(1 Chronicles 21:24)
Devotional
David understood the value of a sacrificial offering. He understood that to offer God that which cost him nothing was in essence to offer nothing. Sacrificial giving is a great demonstration of faith. It is not a bribe nor is it a work. Sacrificial giving is an expression of our love and trust of the Lord. Giving from abundance is generosity; giving from that which is essential is sacrificial. God does bless generosity, "The generous soul will be made rich."[42] He honors sacrifice, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."[43] Here is what I have learned, God blesses generous giving generously and He blesses sacrificial giving eternally. "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."[44]