September 7
Song 5:1-8:14 | PS 51:1-19 | Prov 22:24-25 | 2 Cor 9:1-15
It all comes down to viewing our relationship with God as a true relationship. Consider our relationships with those closest to us on earth: spouses, children and parents. How would that relationship go if we were indifferent, forced, or acted pridefully. These human relationships would fail or be strained at best. Does God not deserve better? Most, if honest, don’t give God a thought on a day to day basis. Biblically, this is referred to as despising God, not hating, but taking Him lightly. Others, the next largest group, would rather do anything else, but if forced will go to church as though grudgingly taking up space in a church does anything to foster that relationship. Oddly, many in such positions actually brag about attending church and giving financially. God wants us. He wants us as willing vessels who seek Him fervently in every facet of our lives.
When it comes to giving consider what Jesus and Paul said about it, both describing wrong ways to go about it, but from different standpoints. Jesus pointed out that giving is for God’s glory, not to glorify ourselves for our generosity, as we read in Matthew 6:1-4, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore,when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Paul speaks of those who give grudgingly in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Reading through the entirety of God’s Word should cause us to reflect. We need to be honest and transparent before our God who truly sees everything, even our thoughts and motives. No pretenses, just honesty. As David did in Psalm 51, he laid it all out before God and felt his relationship restored.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: