ICS Daily Devotions
Do Yourself a Favour
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
This portion of Scripture deals with trusting in the living God or in Mammon. We will serve, love and worship one master only. If God is our master, we will express our service to Him by administering the finances that He has entrusted to us through our tithe and freewill offerings. Those who acknowledge this basic truth will not struggle to pay the tithe or to give, but will be rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share. We serve a generous and loving God who gave us His Son out of His love for us. Therefore, love has a corresponding action which is giving—our time, energy, and finances—to love and to serve God.
We don’t need much faith when everything is going well, but when a crisis hits us unexpectedly, much faith is required to see us through the deep valley in front of us. Generally, the more money that is needed to maintain our regular lifestyle, the higher the faith level needed during such times. The problem with many of us is that we have never really trusted God in our finances nor do we see Him as the source of our blessings. Instead, we live in our comfort zones and for ourselves, taking pride in ourselves and our achievements, and our trust is in our company, the position that we hold, and the investments and assets that we own. Knowingly or unknowingly, we have trusted in uncertain riches, but when a crisis hits, our true selves are revealed and it becomes apparent to us whether we have really trusted God. Nevertheless, it is never too late to shift our faith to God as the source of our provision.
In fact, we are doing ourselves a great favour when we practise tithing and freewill offering, because until we do so, we are not trusting in God as our source of provision. It will create a sense of dependency on God as it is a form of worship to the Lord when we obey to pay the tithe that belongs to Him and willingly give freewill offering to good causes. You may be struggling to give the tithe now, but I encourage you to start now rather than later because the person who will benefit from it through the exercising of your faith is yourself!
Sermon Series: Don’t Talk About Money, Pastor! (Part 2)
