Refiner’s Fire . . .

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness of it, but he can’t have what’s mine!”

This is a painfully true reflection of how many view their giving to the Lord. The painful truth is if the earth is the Lord’s and He created us, what do we have that isn’t his? Eminent Domain isn’t just a legal term but a valuable concept to grasp on this matter. When God comes for what you have, what do you say to Him? ‘No God, it’s mine!’ LOL (laugh out loud)

If your giving feels like getting taxed, change your attitude quickly. Giving to the Lord is about GRATITUDE. I wonder how it will feel for those who arrive in heaven to hear the master say to someone else “you ungrateful servant”. Isn’t that the story of unbelievers? Ungrateful for the blessings of salvation through Christ is not how we want to be known in our Master’s presence. It begs to be said, give as though your life depends on it, because there was a life that hung for it. When giving becomes an act of gratitude then your giving will become a joy rather than a tax. Your giving or lack of giving directly impacts your attitude gage toward God. A cheerful giver leads to a good attitude toward God and an open path for God to workthrough. A taxed giver leads you to limit yourself in God’s ability to use you for His work.

Giving is an act of worship expressed in gratitude. If we were to grade our worship by our giving, what would we receive as a grade? Trust me when I tell you this, gratitude to God is an attitude we can’t neglect. When individuals fail to show gratitude to God so follows the church they share. You may be sure of one thing, God responds to the gratitude of His people. I think we theologians say it this way; God inhabits the praises of His people. Your gifts to the Lord and His bride, the church, are close to His heart and should be to yours. Let’s make this Thanksgiving Season show in our worship.

Dr. Stanley Spence