Our Giving Reveals Our True Priorities
In the Old Testament, the prophet Haggai addressed the needs of the people as they lamented that no matter how much they made, it was never enough. God then revealed to them that their real problem is not material but spiritual. They had experienced a spiritual breakdown. While they had plenty of money for their own needs, they had nothing left for the work of God and the maintenance of His temple.
God reproved the people for thinking only about themselves and not about His work or the needs of others. “You eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (Haggai 1:6).
God goes on to tell these people, “What you brought home, I blew away. Why? Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house” (Haggai 1:9). The people’s improper priorities, their selfishness, and their failure to seek to please God caused their lives to be out of balance, frustrating and unfulfilling.
The joy of giving is an outgrowth of a life that is right with God.
We need to discover the joy of giving—sacrificially, hilariously, regularly, and quietly. Remember, God is not asking us to give because He needs our resources. The whole world is at His disposal! In essence, He is challenging us to make Him the focus of our love, rather than our money and possessions. Then, as we express our love to God by freely giving him a portion of our resources, He will tangibly display His faithfulness to us in return.
