OFFERINGS

OFFERINGS

An offering can be referred to as a sacrifice, an oblation or presentation made as a religious act. A contribution given at a religious service. Something put forth, bid, proffered or tendered. Whenever you make an offering,  it is usually done correctly and received heartily when the giver does it without any grudge or compulsion and many times there is not an expectation of a repayment as the offering is usually a free gift showing some level of appreciation.

1 Samuel 15:22 - "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."

King Saul was given a direct order to go and destroy completely the enemies of the people of GOD. He went, got total victory at the battle front and thought to himself how much the Lord would love a very well packaged offering, so he decided to spare some fattened livestock and the king. This was his eventual undoing and the kingdom was snatched off his hands and given to one who was after the heart of the Lord-David. An offering must be offered in the proper best conditions for it to be acceptable.

Genesis 4 gave a narrative about the first offering to be made in the scriptures. Sons of Adam, Cain and His younger brother Abel brought offerings to offer to the Lord. These offerings were from their various occupations. Cain, a crop farmer brought from his farm produce fruits and Abel a livestock brought an offering from amongst his flock. The Lord received the offering of Abel but rejected that of Cain and for this reason Cain was angry and decided to kill his brother. Now before he killed his brother, the Lord noticed his anger and queried the reason for his vexation and equally told him the reasons behind the refusal of his offerings (Gen. 4:7).

An offering made in sin no matter how properly polished or enticing is and would always be rejected. Imagine an armed robber, hired assassin or a prostitute who brings an offering, fat and loaded with the hardest currencies available obtained from the benefits of their labours. Such an offering is never acceptable by GOD. He would prefer that the life of such individuals is lived in righteousness as this truly is acceptable worship not your naira and kobo. (Rom. 12:1)

Ananias and Sapphira were members of the early church. The trend then was that many of the believers would ensure the welfare of each other by selling the properties they own and making use of the profits to be shared amongst the brethren so that everyone has something to live upon. This couple did same but thought to themselves to keep back some of the money from the proceeds and declare to the apostles that they actually sold the land for that much. Yes, they offered an offering with a very good intent of alleviating the living conditions of fellow believers but their offerings were soiled by the conditioning of their hearts as they thought to lie about their offerings. (Acts 5)

Matthew 5:23-24 - "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."
You have a brawl with your neighbour, he said and did the unthinkable and unforgivable against you even while you are on your way to church set with your worthy offering. This scripture above says GOD would prefer that you settle the quarrel you have with such person before giving your offering. So if it would require that you drop your offering, make peace with your neighbour before coming back to render your offerings, that would sit properly before the Lord.

A good offering is also judged as such based on the heart condition of the giver. It doesn't really have much to do with how much you are putting in but it has much more to do with how do you stand at the time of the offering. Are you giving with some form of contempt, pride or lack of consideration? Such offerings never rise up to meet the Father but remain unacceptable. (Mark 12:41-43, Luke 21:1-3)

Next time you are making an offering, stop and ponder for a minute, check what you are intending to bring forward, cross check the condition of your heart and your level of appreciation towards GOD for making such an offering possible. Doing this you would surely be glad you did.

GOD BLESS YOU.