SCRIPTURE
"No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed. Each man is to bring a gift in proportion to the way God blessed you." (Deut. 16:16)
OBSERVATION
There were appointed times for the people to appear before the Lord and when they did they were not to show up empty-handed. They were to bring an offering. I'm sure some of them felt like they couldn't give, and the economy of a nation who has wandered for forty years couldn't have been the most stable. The Israelites probably gave the same excuses we give.
God's command was fairly simple to figure out. The gift was to be proportional to the way God blessed them. They all did not have to bring the same amount which proved to be a very equitable method of giving. Those who received more gave more and those who received less gave less. Everyone sacrifice equally. But they were not to give out of their leftovers. The giving was in proportion to the blessing of God. It was based on total income not net income.
APPLICATION
It's not God's fault how I spend my money. He blesses me and wants me to give in proportion to that blessing. Period. He doesn't want me to give from my leftovers. This is the money left after I've paid the rent, cable bill, cell phone, Internet, food, clothes, and for overpriced coffees. He did not ask me to incur the expenses that I do. I chose to do those things. Those things are not bad. In fact I enjoy them. But they cannot interfere with my giving. My giving should not be influenced by my standard of living or cash flow. My giving needs to reflect God's goodness in my life. It is to be in proportion to his blessing which means I can be far more generous.
PRAYER
Lord, you have blessed me. I'm always able to give because you always bless.
