MEMORISE:
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. Proverbs 15:8
READ: Genesis 4:3-5
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
MESSAGE
It is only a beggar who would not consider the status of whoever is giving him/her gifts; he/she just collects alms from whoever, whenever. God is not a beggar. He accepts gifts only from His children and rejects the proceeds of cheating, embezzlement and the like.
The fact that money lands in the offering bag or Church account does not mean it has been accepted by God.
“And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.” Genesis 4:4-5
Note the sequence in the verse above: the names appeared before the offering. This means that the acceptance of the offering depends on the giver. If God accepts your offering, He has accepted you.
Some people have complained of stagnation despite being faithful in the payment of their tithes and offering. This might be because God has not accepted them. If He hasn’t, He cannot accept their offering. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-8, Paul asked the Macedonian Church to give themselves to God first before giving to the man of God. That is the only acceptable offering – one that is offered after the giver has given his life to Christ. So, before your next offering, ask yourself: “Am I a genuine child of God?”
It is a terrible thing for God to reject an offering; because it means He has rejected the giver. Cain, out of envy, killed his brother because of this.
A long time ago, the RCCG was in dire need of a new sound system and a rich man donated the latest model to the Church. While I was still rejoicing about this, I heard God say “Tell him to take the gift back; I don’t want it.” The man left in sorrow knowing God had rejected him. May God never reject you and your offering in the mighty name of Jesus. For that prayer to be answered, you must ensure you are in right standing with Him, living a holy life.
KEY POINT:
God only accepts the offering of those who are His children.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 24-27
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE.
1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
o Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
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