What is the rule for giving to the Lord? What does God say about giving to Him? 10% of our earnings? Cash or in kind? The more the better?
In Moses’ days when the Lord asked them to build a tabernacle, here’s what he said:
Exodus 35:4-9
Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems…
What a list! Beyond all these material things, there are just two simple rules:
1) From what you have. It makes sense because one cannot give what he does not have.
2) Everyone who is willing. God is a liberal God. He only wants us to love Him. When we love, we give.
God’s only rule in giving is for us to give what we have willingly. In those days, they were called freewill offerings.
What do I have? As I think about this, there is one more question. Where do all that I have come from? Who gave them to me? How did I have them? I believe all that I have come from God. God gives to me by His grace and mercy. His grace allows me to receive what I do not deserve. His mercy allows me to be saved from what I deserve.
Am I willing? Another question… if the gracious and merciful God gives me when I did not ask, do not know how to ask, do not deserve to ask, who am i that I am not willing? What kind of person would I be if I am not willing?
The Chinese proverb: 饮水思願 literally means drink water think source. In Filipino, there’s ‘utang na loob’ (indebted heart). The Chinese proverb addresses what we have. The Filipino one answers our willingness.
What do I have? Am I willing?
