May Your eye, O loving God, be upon this dear reader today; provide blessing and protection on their lives. In Christ Jesus' Name, amen.
Giving to God is a spiritual matter. Yet many dislike talking about it, and just as many don't like doing it. Some "tip" God and a recent Internet cartoon shows a son asking the dad, "How come the waitress gets 15% and God gets only 10%. Many would say at least that man is tithing!
Giving is also an honest endeavor. In Acts 5:1-11 is a frightening story of Anaias and his wife Sapphira, who sold some property as were the other early Christians of their church. But unlike the other members, these two did not give all to the ministry, they decided they would lie about the amount of the sale so that they could keep some of the money for themselves. The Holy Spirit revealed this to Peter and he confronted Anaias about it. When told he had lied to God, Anaias fell dead. Scary, right? Peter told him that he could have kept it all if he had wanted, but to give out of dishonesty was a serious thing and so he died. The same thing happened to his wife; she died and was buried immediately as had been her husband. No funeral. No memorial service. No celebration of life.
Giving is also an honest endeavor. In Acts 5:1-11 is a frightening story of Anaias and his wife Sapphira, who sold some property as were the other early Christians of their church. But unlike the other members, these two did not give all to the ministry, they decided they would lie about the amount of the sale so that they could keep some of the money for themselves. The Holy Spirit revealed this to Peter and he confronted Anaias about it. When told he had lied to God, Anaias fell dead. Scary, right? Peter told him that he could have kept it all if he had wanted, but to give out of dishonesty was a serious thing and so he died. The same thing happened to his wife; she died and was buried immediately as had been her husband. No funeral. No memorial service. No celebration of life.
However you choose to interpret and apply this story to your life, keep in mind that giving is a spiritual matter done best when we're honest to God. God understands when we cannot tithe as we know we should, but if we do it simply because we do not WANT to tithe and hide it behind some excuse (read lie), we are not celebrating life nor are we giving God much to celebrate on either.
Celebrate the gifts of God by giving as you should. Be thankful to have a job and thankful for the privilege of being a part of a world-wide ministry through giving to your church. And you do it simply because you love God!
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank you for what You have provided. Lord, I pray for my needs, and You know them well. I pray for the needs of brothers and sisters in my church who may not be receiving as they need. Bless and provide for them, loving God. Let me celebrate life by giving. Let me be honest with You as I give. May my soul be blessed today. I ask this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Acts 5: 1 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife's knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 "Ananias," Peter asked, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!" 5 Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. 6 The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price." And she said, "Yes, that was the price." 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.
