An Offertory Devotional video for Sabbath, July 23, 2022, in your @adventistchurch: vimeo.com/701782600. Putting God first can be difficult. What can we learn from this video that will help us put God first in our lives today?
Also available in #Spanish and #Portuguese.
Put #GodFirst
#StewardshipMinistries
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For more information on the Stewardship Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, you can head over to stewardship.adventist.org/ ______________________________________________
We cheerfully worship with our resources because of the love that God has manifested to us. Our attitude while we serve, obey, and worship is important to the Lord. The book of Revelation gives an interesting example. In the letter to the church in Ephesus, the Lord did not reproach this church with any wrongdoing; He even mentioned their good actions. However, one thing was missing: “You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Without love, obedience is of no value in the eyes of God. In contrast, when obedience flows out of love, Jesus has a wonderful promise for us: “that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).
The story is told of a man who was a great provider for his family. Every month, on payday, he would purchase everything that his wife and sons needed. This family lacked nothing except a happy father. Once, one of his sons questioned him: “Dad, why did you do all this for us?” His answer was: “I am legally married to your mother, and you are my dependents; it is my responsibility to provide for you.” It wasn’t the answer the boy was expecting, and later in life he understood why the father was so sad when everyone was enjoying the things he provided for them. Obligations and responsibilities had replaced love.
Why do we give to the Lord? Many factors can lead us to participate in tithing and giving regular offerings, but the apostle Paul speaks about the acceptable attitude: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Our God is looking for cheerful givers, and we grow as cheerful givers when we are motivated by God’s love for us.
Let us meditate daily on His gift of love, and may Christ’s love compel us to worship with our resources. This week as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings, called Promise, may it be in response to God’s extravagant love.