Give God Your Best!

The church was packed because it was the first service of the year. It was also thanksgiving Sunday, time to thank God for making it to the New Year. Show gratitude that the enemies did not triumph, for the many contracts, for safety on all journeys, for new homes, and most importantly, that you got enlisted in the army of God's Kingdom etc. Has anyone said thank you for life and new souls yet? It usually makes it into the list at some point.

The service was different; the Senior Pastor chose to receive the offering. He asked everyone present, to come forward and drop whatever their thanksgiving seed was. That day, the Pastor had special grace, he could see into the envelopes containing the seeds, and he could read the hearts of men. Some folks found it odd while some liked the idea. He would finally recognise the big guns, movers and shakers of the kingdom. Or so they thought.

He took his seat by the huge offering basket; it was a mega-church, and he had his aides stand around in case he needed to give an instruction. The congregants were expected to 'show God how grateful they were,' by their dance and their offering. They all came, some danced, some waltzed, some glided, and some did the 'electric slide,' some others, the 'bus stop'. The Pastor was intrigued; the day was turning out to be very interesting.

They all came forward, dropped their gifts and offerings with the Pastor nodding, he had on a smile no one could explain. Then came this small-framed woman, her envelope was folded in four, the two pennies contained therein must not fall out. They were all she had. Her Master deserved her best. If she gave him her all, he would know that she was grateful he stayed with her in her season of darkness. Her dance steps qualified for a medal. The Pastor rose as she approached, and the church was in awe! How come he did not stand up when Chief Anifowose got to the altar or when Prince Nwokedi came up?

Then came the bomb, he announced that the frail woman was the most giving. They wondered why, and he explained: she gave her all and that out of her lack. (Mark 12:41-44)

My friend, where do you stand? How do you give? Why do you give? Who do you give to? How showy are you in your giving? Do you give in fear? Is your giving an expression of your love? Will the master rise when you show up at the altar?

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4)

Just in case we find us falling short of the Masters’ expectations of us in giving, we will do well to adjust ourselves. We don't want to arrive heaven and find that all our works would not survive the fire.

Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:13-14)

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BOOKS BY Anne Ajadi:

YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

NAVIGATING THE NIGHT SEASONS