Who do you want to please . . . your spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, best friend, neighbors, pastor, employer or most anybody you meet?
Truthfully, there is only one person that you ever need to be concerned about pleasing because if He’s happy and well-pleased, you’ll find contentment in life.
The scriptures offer some very basic guidelines about how to give an offering that is well-pleasing to God.
“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18 NAS
The offering that is well-pleasing to God is the one He tells you to give.
Whether what you give is big or small in your own eyes, the important thing to remember is to listen to the voice of the Lord and obey Him in the offering. Way too many believers are tipping God because they think that’s what they can afford to sow or are in the habit of giving. Ask God. Only He knows what you need to reap down the road.
I challenge you to think very carefully about the three points I’m going to share with you about giving an offering that is well-pleasing to God.
First, God watches you give.
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. . . Mark 12:41
The scripture says Jesus pulled a chair over where He could get a good view of how much people gave. That should tell us a lot about the Lord’s interest in our giving.
Second, He watches how much you give.
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:41-42
Can you imagine what would happen on Sunday morning if your pastor walked among the pews observing what everyone put into the offering?
Some “saint” would be complaining on the evening news about how “all the man of God was interested in. . .was money.” Such foolishness does go on.
God does not tell you to give based on what’s in your wallet, pocketbook or checking account.
Third, God brags about good givers.
“And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:43-44
This poor widow did not give what was convenient or usual . . . the scripture says that she cast in all. . .everything she had. . .not just the chump change. . .but “all her living.”
On that day, Jesus observed some folks putting large gifts into the treasury . . . but the one who gave all she had was the one He recognized and praised. The one who overlooked every circumstance in her life . . . who rejected all rationalization and justification for not giving . . . the scripture memorializes the poor widow who gave all she had . . . the one who made an unusual offering in her time of need.
God Wants You To Know This
It is possible to give God an offering that is not well-pleasing to Him. Malachi 1:6-14.
6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”
These believers were stunned to hear God say that they “despised his name.” What would make someone who is serving God, someone who is in church every time the doors are open, supposedly “working” for God, despise Him?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
God is saying these believers offered Him less than the best . . . the leftovers . . . the scrapes . . . the pocket change . . . things that were not important or significant to them.
Do we give God our best or do we hold back in our giving so we can afford a new car, a bigger house, or the things of this world?
It’s imperative that every believer understand that tithes and proper offerings does not indicate God going after our money. . .but rather God is showing us how to defeat poverty, lack and needs that will drag us down. Keeping God’s covenant opens the windows of heaven and “allows” Him to rebuke the devourer for your sakes! (Malachi 3:10,11).
Here’s a revelation, God doesn’t need your money . . . but you need His blessing.
If you spend more money at a movie and concession stand than you do in advancing the cause of Christ . . . then you are giving Him polluted offerings . . . less than the best.
If you were given a private audience with your Governor or the President, would you bring them a gift or offering less than your best?
What happens when you don’t give God your best . . . when you don’t ask Him what He would have you give?
Verse 10 is without equivocation . . .it’s clearly written. . .
“. . .I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.”
Did you see that . . . God has “no pleasure” in those who give Him less than the best. Not only that, He will not “accept an offering at your hand.”
The local church may accept your offering . . . but God will not. And as we know, He’s the only One who counts.
Final Word
If you want to have a life worth living . . . a life well-pleasing to God, then make your offerings sweet and acceptable in His sight.
We need to also heed the words found in Ephesians 5:10
“In your daily life make sure you’re doing what is well-pleasing to the Lord.”
Make no mistake. God wants to “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 (NKJV)