And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? 1 Chronicles 29:5
Today I want to talk about the most avoided subject in devotionals. In my observation, I find that not many Christian are aware of what they are doing when they give their offering and service to the church. In most cases, many feel that they are helping the church. Some feel that they are helping God. Others feel they are helping the Pastor. When you give in your church, what do you think you are doing?
As a child of God, you need to know for yourself what it means for you to give to the Lord that you may experience the privileges attached to it. Giving to the Lord is more than just parting with your goods and services to help the church. Every time you give to God your possession or service, as mentioned in the opening scripture, you are consecrating your life equivalent of that offering to the Lord. (It reminds me a widow who gave and Jesus said she has given all her living, Like 21:4.)
In the opening scripture, when David was calling for people to give to the Lord's work of building the lords house, he used the word consecrate. The word "consecrate", here literally means to fill your hands. It is a technical term used to induct a person into the priestly office. As he commits his life to serve the Lord, The priest is said to be filled with divine responsibilities of ministering to God for the people. In the OT God appointed the family of Aaron to the office of the high priest that they may minister to Him as priests, on behalf of the people (Ex 28:41). By virtual of this appointment, Aaron was declared holy.
Today under the NT, God has consecrated Jesus Christ to be the high priest that ministers to God for those who believe in Jesus. He is ever before God to intercede for you and me. Likewise, whenever you give an offering to God, the functions of the priestly services take place on your behalf.
When that offering is set apart or sanctified as the Lord’s offering, it instantly becomes holy because everything that is of God is holy. If it is holy, then it is accessible for God to use it to progress your life.
When your offering is used for God’s work, it is blessed. It is given the ability to do what you could not do. Like a seed in the ground, so is your offering. It is empowered to work day and night to bring forth a harvest in your life. When you cannot pray, your seed is working for you. When you do not know what to say, your seed will speak for you as the woman of the alabaster box who anointed Jesus with the expensive ointment was said to have loved more, (Luke 7:3748).
Therefore, never deny yourself of the opportunity to give to the Lord. As Jesus who is and was a living sacrifice for your life, sits at the right hand of God the father, forever interceding for you, your offering is ever expressing your heartfelt desires before God. So keep consecrating your offering