FIRST GIFTS ARE SPECIAL GIFTS TO THE LORD
The Lord gave Moses specific instructions for the people of Israel concerning the offering of gifts. The gifts were to be brought from each persons own possessions, whether from their herds or flocks. When Israel offered their gifts according to God’s instruction, He promised that He would be pleased with their aroma.
This instruction seems somewhat out of place in the story, as the people had just turned back in fear from entering the Promised Land. Yet, the Lord’s instruction was for the day when they would finally act in faith and settle in the land He was giving them.
After some 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the people finally entered the Promised Land. Their first gifts in the land the Lord had given them were certainly special both to them and to the Lord.
This coming Sunday is the three year anniversary of the special first gifts that we gave at our church for the Rise Up generosity initiative. We made a three-year faith commitment to give above and beyond our normal giving in order to make room for more people to come as they are and be forever changed by the love of Jesus. This coming Sunday we’ll be celebrating how God has made our faithfulness to give possible. God is good!
PRAYER: Lord, everything we have You have given us. What we offer back to You in thanksgiving, You have given. May our attitude of generosity make our offerings a pleasing aroma unto You. We offer our gifts as representative of all that we are and all that we have back to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.