“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Col. 3:23.
God does not accept grudging service from anyone. Your service has to be presented heartily. Heartily means, with all your heart, all your strength, all that is within you. Paul writes, Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (unwillingly) 2 Cor. 9:7. The apostle makes a dual application of this matter of giving: it has to do with our financial offerings and the giving of our very lives to God’s work! Paul wrote that the church in Macedonia literally begged him to let them take up a collection for the poor, suffering saints in Jerusalem. These Macedonians were so wholly given to the Lord, they gave out of their poverty!
“But first [they] gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” 2 Cor 8:5. Paul says the Macedonians gave much more than money. They told him, Here is our offering. Now what do you want us to do? We volunteer our services to the work of God! They spared nothing in serving the Lord and their brethren! beyond their power they were willing of themselves 2 Cor. 8:3. They gave beyond their human ability with much prayer! If you give only because you believe it is commanded or if you’re always wondering, Is tithing a New Testament concept, or just Old Testament? your heart-attitude is all wrong! If you give ten percent because the pastor asks it of you, that is wrong also. None of this gets to the issue to the heart of what it means to give!
If you’re going to give yourself wholly to the Lord and his service, you must do it cheerfully! for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7. I am sorely convinced by this verse. The word for cheerful in Greek means hilarious, merry, glad having a light heart, willingness, gladness; being full of hilarity. God is saying, Whatever you do in your labours for me whether it’s interceding, worshipping me in my house, or seeking me in your secret closet do it cheerfully! Be joyful and generous with everything: your money, your service, your time, and your life! Do your service heartily, it’s the secret of going far with the Lord.
FURTHER READING:
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Prov. 15:13.
“All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].” Pro. 15:15.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of a new day. I declare, I will not just survive, I will thrive. I will prosper despite every difficulty that may come my way. I know every setback is a setup for a comeback. I will not get stagnant, give up on my dreams, or settle where I am. I know one touch of God’s favour can change everything. I’m ready for a great outpour of divine benefits, I will not quit until I become all the Lord has declared in His Word. Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Amos. 4:1-13. Amos. 5:1-27. Amos. 6:1-14. Amos. 7:1-17.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“You Don’t Have To Be Great To Start, But You Have To Start To Be Great.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria. http://www.thefortresschurch.com. Email:info@thefortresschurch.com.
