Saturday, 24 October 2009

• Giving God Back The Things He Gives Us

  Keeping a close eye on Jesus, the Pharisees sent spies who pretended to be honest.They hoped to catch Jesus in something He said, so that they might hand Him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

  But Jesus knew what they were really doing and He said to them, "Show me a denarius. Who's portrait is on it? Who's inscription is this?"

  "Caesar's" they replied.

  Jesus said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God's.

  Luke 20:20-25

  This passage of the bible is normally read when we talk about paying our taxes... And it's true... this verse does tell us that the government has the right to tax us... in fact, it isn't our money. If it is due to Caesar, then it obviously belongs to Caesar... but we often look over "give to God what is God's."

  Let's face it... it's much easier to skip out on our offerings to the church than it is to skip out on our taxes. Yet, according to what Jesus is telling us in the scripture I read, it is just as important to give to God as it is to give to the government. If you aren't giving God what is his, you are stealing.

  But what is it that belongs to God that we must give Him?

  Well, we have a few things.

  1.) First, time.
  This goes much deeper than spending an hour at church on Sundays and a couple hours at church on Wednesdays... Our time is God's time... and it's important to our spiritual growth to remember this. There isn't a second of the day where we aren't to be ministers. At all times, we are representing Christ. So what you do with your time can either improve or damage the image of Christ within you. That is why we stay aware of our surroundings and aware of the things that consume our time that aren't godly. So we give God our time.

  2.) We must also give service through our talents, gifts, and abilities.
  Paul says in 1 Corinthians that our body is made up of many parts. Likewise, the body of Christ (or the Church) is made up of many parts. Each part has a duty to perform. If it doesn't perform it's duty, it's useless. But you are part of the body of Christ and you are not useless. So if you are an eye, you must see. If you are an ear, you must hear. If you are good at praying, you must pray. If you have a word from God, you must speak. You are needed in the church, whether you think you are or not. The church needs you... just like the body needs lungs.
  Someone once told me about an experience she had at church where the pastor said, "If you are here and you aren't doing anything in the church, then you need to leave." And it's important to understand this because the church doesn't work unless everybody uses the gifts in which God gave them to help the body of Christ preform its daily duties.

   3.) Prayer is also something we give to God.
  Only prayer isn't for God. It's for us... the church.
  Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and you will succeed." Jesus says, "Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be open to you." God wants our plans to succeed if they are in His will. So tell God about your plans... keep his will central to them, and see how your plans will turn out. If your church has a vision, pray that God will work with that in a way that glorifies Him. Let me tell you something... prayer works... and God will not tear down anything that will build His kingdom.

  4.) Money is another big gift that we can give to God.
  Be certain that God doesn't need our money to do big things! Nevertheless, it is good to give to your church in a time in need... in fact, Paul tells us that when we do give, we are to give cheerfully, generously, and regularly. The money that we give to the church is used for many good causes. Keeping this in mind, giving should not be burdensome, but it should be a sacrifice, keeping in mind all He's done for us.

  It is clear in scripture, that we are to give to God what is already His. I've listed many ways we can give back to God. As Christians, it isn't our duty, but it is our joy that we should give graciously back to God in the many ways we are able. After all, think of what He has given to you!

  In what ways do you give back to God?

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