3.6.12 "Offering"

"Offering"

Numbers 6:1-7:89
Mark 12:38-13:13
Psalm 49:1-20
Proverbs 10:27-28

Twelve Days. Twelve Offerings. Each one the same.

One Day. Many Offerings. Each one different.

In Numbers 7, the tabernacle has been set up, and Moses has anointed it, and set it apart as holy. Then it was time for the leader of each tribe to bring an offering of dedication. One leader would bring the offering each day for the next 12 days. If you are a faithful reader of the One Year Bible, you will note that this chapter has 89 verses. You will also note that Readers' Digest would have probably shortened this chapter given the opportunity. As each leader brings their offering, what they brought is specified in detail. Each one brought exactly the same gift, yet each one was listed in detail.

What's the significance of that?

Look at Mark 12. "Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Some who were rich put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and remarked, 'That poor widow has given more than all those rich men put together! For they gave a little of their extra fat, while she gave up her last penny.'"

What I find significant in both of these readings is that God is watching what each is giving. In Numbers, though each gift was the same, God was pleased because each was giving exactly what was commanded of them. Their obedience was noted. Each gift was precious. In Mark, the type of offering was different. These were giving what they could. The widow gave her all.

Let's make this personal. What are you giving? Are you giving your all? No, I'm not talking about emptying your bank accounts, or anything like that. What is God asking of you?

What does it cost to follow Christ? Everything. It is so easy to offer God everything when we're at the altar and the presence of the Lord is real, and we are focusing on him.

"Now what do you want from me?" Guess what... it's the same thing as you were at the altar... everything. As we're at our desk at work, or in school, or whatever the case may be, how are we living our life? It's much easier to give just a little of the "extra fat". It's easy to give God the leftovers. It's much harder to give God everything when it seems like we only have a few pennies.

I bought my truck in Arkansas quite a few years ago. When we were down there negotiating the sale, I had noticed no one was talking about the price, they would only talk about the "payment". When someone would see you had a new car, all they would ask is "what's your payment?"

What's your payment today? What's God asking of you as you're at work? at home? I shouldn't have the mentality that I'll give him my 'leftovers'. Ok, God, i only have this much time for you today... If I give him my all, that means my all.

Today you may be in an extreme situation like today's reading in Mark 13. "You will be dragged before the courts, and beaten in the synagogues, and accused before governors and kings of being my followers. This is your opportunity to tell them the Good News."

Giving your all isn't an issue of comfort zone. It's an issue of God fulfilling HIS purpose in you and through you. It may not seem like it, but he will never ask us to give more than we can "afford". He never asks us to give more than we have, but he does ask that we give all that we have.

God is watching you today. No, he's not watching you with a big stick waiting to whack you if you mess up. He's anticipating your offering. What will you give? For some it may be writing a check. For others it is signing up for drama for the Easter Musical (how's that for a subliminal message!) For others it's opening your home to someone in need. Regardless of the specifics, give as the Lord directs.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

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