It’s About God Not Us

When hearts are stirred to do the work of the Lord, that’s when we’ll start moving towards God’s purpose being fulfilled on earth. When what we do for the Lord comes from a heart and spirit that are truly willing, then we’ll see God’s kingdom come, and His will being done.

Giving to the work of the Lord is definitely a God thing. And while we’re commanded to give God the tithe, God is pleased and His work is accomplished when it’s given freely and our hearts are completely given over to God, 2 Corinthians 9:7.

We see this from the children of Israel.

“And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service … All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do … and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.” (Exodus 35:21,29; 36:2 NIV)

Those whose hearts were moved gave of their time, talents, and treasures. They held nothing back.

But when it becomes all about us and we don’t freely give to God our time, talents, and treasures, then we’re the ones who’ll suffer the consequences.

Through the prophet Haggai God told the Israelites to carefully consider what they were doing, because they were living for themselves while ignoring God and the building His house. Because of this they suffered. They planted much but harvested little. They never had enough, and everything they earned ended up being lost. (Haggai 1:2-6 NIV)

God called it robbery (Malachi 3:8), but He also promised that if they gave unto God’s kingdom what was right, then He would open up heaven’s windows and pour down His blessings, and in the process rebuke the devourer. (Malachi 3:9-11)