On Monday, Laurie shared a little bit about our wonderful day at church on Sunday! After six years of a multi-million-dollar building program, we finally opened our brand-new, debt-free worship facility – to the praise and glory of God!
But can I let you in on a little secret? It wasn’t easy.
When our pastor first cast the vision several years ago, my husband and I were faced with several questions: Do we participate or not? Do we give financially or not? If so, do we give what we can afford to give or do we give sacrificially?
In 2 Samuel 24, it tells of a time when King David wanted to build an altar to the Lord. He wanted to buy the threshing floor of a man named Araunah so he could build the altar there, but Araunah offered to give him the threshing floor instead. This is what King David said:
“No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Sam. 24:24).
King David’s example resonated with me back then, and Jason and I decided to give to the point where we could feel it. Does that make sense? We knew even our biggest gifts would be merely a widow’s mite compared to some, but it didn’t mean we weren’t to do anything. We still wanted to give according to what we had been given, and to the point where it would feel like a sacrifice, not like an easy-peasy gift.
God wants us to give to Him – we all know that. Our giving shows our obedience, our trust and our faith. But on Sunday, I experienced a new answer to the “why” we’re supposed to give.
It’s so that He can bless us even more!
I can tell you one thing – our milestone Sunday would not have meant nearly as much to me had we chosen to go the easy route on our participation. It would have been neat and exciting, sure. But it wouldn’t have felt personal. As it were though, the curtains opened up on our brand new stage, the orchestra started playing and the choir started singing… and my tears started flowing! It was as if God was hugging me saying, “You had a part in this!”
Now, could He have done it without me? Sure. God doesn’t need my money any more than He needs yours. But He loves me. He wants to bless me, and He wants to bless you. And the secret is that any sacrifice He asks of you, He completely cancels out in His blessings. It’s not a holy interest rate or anything like that; it’s simply the blessing of being used by God.
And it is priceless!
Q: How is God calling you to give sacrificially today? What is holding you back?
Thankfully & most gratefully, not one single thing holds my hubby or I back from giving any or ALL that is asked for or is needed. Would we have felt this way going on 14 years ago? I can answer for us both & say, ” not”. WHY? Because, under our pastors unwavering belief in the Word of God, he has shown us, through Gods Word, that it ALL belongs to God to begin with. As we’ve studied, listened & learned, we’ve come to know the sweet JOY of trusting our loving God with ALL that we have. And NOT just materially but with our very own lives & that of our loved ones as we’ve watched as prayers have been heard & answered for salvation & victories over sins have been claimed. Priceless…….absolutely!
God has asked me to give sacrificially of my life/time. I am a 60 year old grandmother of 15 and God, in His sovereignty, has seen fit to ask me to homeschool four of them. Now, that was NOT a part of my retirement plan; however, you can’t beat God giving and I tell you the rewards have truly been “…exceedingly, abundantly, more than I could ask or think.”
Wow! Now that is a sacrifice, to be sure! Prayers for you as you begin a very difficult – but very rewarding – journey!