GIVING GOD THE BEST
Giving God the best is more than just offering our resources—it’s a reflection of our heart’s devotion to Him. It’s not about the size of the gift or how much we have to give; it’s about giving with sincerity, love, and reverence for the One who gave everything for us. The Bible teaches that God desires our first and best, not our leftovers. When we give our best to God, we are saying that He is our priority, that we trust Him, and that we value His presence above all else. In this act of giving, we align our hearts with His purposes and experience a deeper connection with Him.
Jesus and the True Spirit of Giving
In the New Testament, Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of true generosity in the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus observes the wealthy giving large sums, but He highlights the sacrificial gift of a poor widow who gives two small coins.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.“Truly I tell you,”he said ,“this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”‘( Luke 21: 1 -4 )
This illustrates that it’s not about the quantity, but the heart behind the gift. The widow gave her best, even though it was a small amount, and Jesus commended her for it. She gave all she had, trusting that God would provide for her.
The Power of Generosity with a Heart of worship
Giving God Our Best:
God reveals a powerful truth: He doesn’t look at outward appearances, but at the heart. When Samuel was tasked with anointing a king from Jesse’s sons, God rejected Eliab, the eldest, because of his outward appearance and stature. Instead, God chose David, a humble shepherd, because of his heart.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ( 1 Samuel 16: 7 )
In the same way, God doesn’t look at the size of our gifts, but rather at the attitude behind them. Giving our best to God means giving from a heart that values Him above all things. It’s not about the amount we give, but about the sincerity and love with which we give
What God Reveals About Generosity
In the Bible, God speaks often about giving and generosity, emphasizing that it’s not about the amount or outward show, but the heart behind the gift. Giving is a key aspect of our relationship with God, reflecting His generosity to us and demonstrating our trust in His provision. The Bible presents giving as an act of worship, obedience, gratitude, and love for others.
1. God Loves a Cheerful Giver
One of the clearest teachings on giving comes from 2 Corinthians, where Paul writes:
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ( 2 Corinthians 9 :7 )
Here, God emphasizes that the attitude with which we give matters. It’s not about giving out of obligation or grudgingly, but from a heart that is willing and joyful. God wants us to give because we love Him, not because we feel forced or pressured. A cheerful giver reflects a heart that trusts God’s provision and wants to honor Him through their generosity.
2. God Promises to Provide for Those Who Give
In the next verse, Paul continues with a powerful promise:
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ( 2 Corinthians 9: 8 )
When to God, He promises to provide for us. This verse reassures us that God will supply everything we need, and even more, so that we can continue to be generous and do good works. This is a profound reminder that God does not leave us empty-handed; He blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. The more we trust Him with our resources, the more we experience His grace and provision in our lives.
3. Giving Reflects Trust in God’s Provision
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 there will not be room enough to store it.( Malachi 3: 10 )
Tithing—giving 10% of our income—is an expression of trust. God invites us to test His faithfulness in providing for our needs when we honor Him with our finances. The promise in this verse is clear: when we give to God, He will bless us abundantly, often in ways that go beyond what we can imagine or expect.
4. Giving Is an Expression of Worship
How giving is an act of worship: Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;10 then your barns will be filled to over flowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.(Proverbs 3: 9-10)
When we give God our first and best, we are honoring Him as the source of all we have. This is a way of worshipping God and acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives and resources. Giving is not just about meeting needs, but about glorifying God and putting Him first in everything.
5. Giving Demonstrates Love for Others
Finally, giving is not only about honoring God but also showing love and care for others.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ( 1 John 3: 17 )
Our generosity reflects the love of God within us. When we give, we not only care for the needs of others but also demonstrate the love that God has poured into our hearts. Generosity is an outflow of the love we’ve received from God, and it’s a tangible way of showing His love to those around us.
The apostle Paul, states that the idea of our giving is being a part of our worship
1. Those who follow Jesus should excel in the grace of giving.
2. Giving is an expression of the love one has for Jesus.
3. God loves willing and cheerful givers.
4. A willingness to be generous in giving is more important than the amount given.
5. Our giving will result in praise and thanksgiving to God.
6. Our giving should be a natural response to God’s gracious gift to mankind.
The Secret Benefits of Giving:
While giving to God is primarily an act of worship, it also brings benefits that enrich our lives.
It Brings Order to Your Life and Finances:
When we prioritize giving to God, it helps us establish a biblical perspective on money and possessions.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. ( Proverbs 3: 9 -10 )
By honoring God first, we acknowledge that He is in control of every area of our lives, including our finances.
It Demonstrates Faith and Trust:
Giving to God stretches our faith, teaching us to rely on Him rather than on our own resources. By giving sacrificially, we place our confidence in God’s ability to provide, even when we can’t see how. This is especially true in times of financial uncertainty, where our trust in God is tested.
It Reminds Us That God Is in Control:
Giving to God reminds us that we are not in control of our lives or possessions; God is. When we give our best, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from His hand, and we honor Him with our resources.
The Eternal Impact of Generosity
Paul offers a powerful exhortation to the church, encouraging believers to live lives marked by generosity and a readiness to share. Through these actions, Paul teaches that we are not only blessing others but also storing up eternal treasures in heaven.
1. Generosity as a Reflection of Good Works
Paul begins by urging the rich to be generous, ready to share, and to do good works.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ( 1 Timothy 6: 18 )
This is not just about giving financially; it’s about cultivating a lifestyle of generosity in every area of life. Generosity isn’t reserved for those with wealth, but for all who have been blessed by God. Whether we have much or little, we are called to be rich in good works, eager to share with others and meet their needs. This kind of generosity reflects the heart of God, who has been lavish in His grace toward us.
2. Storing Up Eternal Treasures
Paul reveals that the act of generosity has eternal consequences: .
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. ( 1 Timothy 6 :19 )
Paul emphasizes that generosity is not just a temporal act; it has eternal significance. By living generously, believers are laying up treasure in heaven, securing a foundation for the future that will never fade. This treasure is not earthly wealth, but the reward of faithful living and the joy of participating in God’s work on earth.
The phrase “take hold of the life that is truly life” speaks to the fullness of life that comes from living in alignment with God’s purposes. True life is not found in material wealth or possessions, but in the eternal rewards that come from living a life of generosity, love, and service to others.
3. Generosity as an Investment in the Future
Paul contrasts the fleeting nature of earthly wealth with the lasting impact of generosity. Earthly riches are temporary, but the treasures we store up through generous living have eternal value. Jesus similarly teaches that we should not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, but instead store up treasures in heaven, where they are secure forever. Our giving becomes an investment in eternity, making a lasting difference in the lives of others and in our relationship with God.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ( Matthew 6: 20 -21 )
4. Living with an Eternal Perspective
When Paul speaks of “taking hold of the life that is truly life,” he is encouraging us to live with an eternal perspective. This means that our actions, including our generosity, should be motivated by the knowledge that we are working toward something far greater than the temporary pleasures of this world. True life is found in knowing Christ and in living in a way that reflects His love and generosity toward others.
As believers, our goal is not to accumulate wealth or possessions, but to live in such a way that our lives reflect the values of God’s Kingdom. Generosity aligns us with these values, helping us to focus on what truly matters—eternal life with God and the joy of serving others in His name.