Giving back to God

https://odb.org/2023/11/26/who-am-i-7

When it comes to giving back to God, two perspectives come to mind. The first, as expressed in the song Alabaster Jar (by Gateway Worship), is that whatever we have of worth and all that we have, Jesus deserves more. He is more beautiful than what we have. He is more worthy. Yet, this is all we have. This is all we can give, including the limited time we have left in this natural life of ours. https://youtu.be/l6GeVG1CNso?si=LmB0DvVb4TFyO32u

The second perspective, as expressed by David in 1 Chronicles 29:14 – who am I and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this? In the end, what we have comes from God. It is by His grace and mercy that we are who we are today and that we still have breadth in us. In other words, it is a privilege and honour to give unto Him, to serve Him, to be instruments for His glory. We should be thankful that God has chosen us and called us to be His own, that we may bless Him and give back to Him.

There are three things that we have that we may give back unto Him, although He deserves more, much more. But this is all we have. Our talents, our time, and our treasures. Have we started giving God our time in service? Have we started using our talents and giftings for His glory? Have we started giving our money to glorify His name? As we save up for our future, remember to store up our treasures in heaven, too. Our riches stored in heaven will last us for eternity. It is us saving up for the rainy day in the form of our savings for our eternal life. Our EPF in heaven. Jesus Christ has gone ahead to prepare our place in heaven, but we must do our part to store up our riches there, too. As James 2:26 teaches, faith without works is dead.

The remaining time we have, our talents and money – will we start giving back some to God as a sign of our thankfulness and appreciation for His calling for our lives and His gift of salvation? He deserves more. That’s true. But we can only give what we have.