Wednesday, September 7, 2011
2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
OFFERINGS FROM THE HEART
When a well-known figure in organized crime died, the newspaper story on his death mentioned that during his life he had been quite generous in his gifts to his family's church. He surely was not the first nor the last thief to salve his conscience by giving to a church or charity a small part of what he had stolen.
God surely desires our offerings, but He wants our hearts first of all. The pastor of a church down the street from us boasted to me that the average annual pledge in his congregation is nearly $2,000. This is an impressive figure. But the man and his congregation are part of a church body that has long since ceased to bow to the Word of God in their doctrine and practice. High offerings are no substitute for the obedience of a thankful heart. We too ought not think that our gifts are pleasing to God just because we give a certain percentage of our income or because our congregation or synod meets its annual budget.
Good stewardship begins at the cross, where we remember that we have nothing to offer to God except what He has first given to us. We are sinners, unable to please God with our best efforts. We are beggars with nothing of our own. But God has made us rich. Christ has taken away our sins and covered us with His righteousness. Every day our heavenly Father provides for us, far beyond our needs. May these thoughts fill our minds as we consider our offerings, as we humbly give back some of what our gracious God has generously given to us.
-- from the "Lutheran Spokesman"
