I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 6:19 [NLT]
One Nigerian preacher said on multiple occasions that he served Satan faithfully when he was in the world, and now that he’s in Christ, he cannot serve God any less faithfully. That is the message in our text today.
Can I suggest to you that you also served Satan faithfully while you were in the world? Yes, maybe you didn’t kill anyone or rape anyone; maybe you didn’t even steal or lie much. Possibly, you were, by worldly standards, a “good” person. But I promise you, when we stand before God, and the deepest thoughts and intents of our hearts are brought to light, not even the purest of us will meet the mark by our own goodness. All of us have worked in sin and deserve minimum wage: death.
Knowing this, and the enormity of the sacrifice that bought us back to God, is it not only right that we give back to God all that we have and are for His use? As believers, we are not called to be generous simply because we are blessed; in fact, Paul calls the giving of our lives a reasonable act of worship [Romans 12:1]. Put another way, it makes sense to be generous with all we have.
But, my good friends, generosity to God is not only in the offertory bowl and tithe envelopes. It happens in meeting the needs of others too.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16 [NIV]
But it gets better! The Bible actually says that kindness to the poor is lending to God, and He will repay. [Proverbs 19:17]
In the words of Jesus, “…when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” [Matthew 25:40]
You don’t need to be a millionaire to be kind. Remember:
It’s not the rich that give, it’s the generous that give.
Roderick Agyekum
Father, I ask for the spirit of generosity; that I will not look upon my own needs and selfishly ignore the needs of others that I can meet. Be glorified in my generosity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Reading: Proverbs 19:17 & Matthew 25:40
Bible In One Year: John [12–15]
