Obediential Giving part 2

Obedience is both the differing factor and the defining factor of our lives.  To whom do we pledge our allegiance?  As we look onward toward the Sunday sermon, we will continue to see the need for obedience concerning giving.

Here’s a little snack:  Matt. 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Have you ever wondered what one thing separates you, as a Christian, from those who do not follow the Lordship of Jesus Christ?  The answer is obedience. It is truly what separates us from who we were before grace.  Of course, I am not speaking of a works based salvation but rather our response to salvation by grace alone.

Perhaps you have said, with your head held in a tight grip due to the frustrations of recent sinful activity, “I look, act and think no differently than before I was saved by God’s marvelous grace”.  What causes a Christian to live a life of repentance due to the haunting sins of life?  The answer is simple; God has called us to a life of obedience.  You see, obedience separates the already Christian from the man he used to be and it maintains his peaceful and purposeful standing in Christ.  In other words, before Christ came into our lives, we saw or felt no need to repent for injustices toward God.  In fact, in our minds, there were no injustices toward God.  In our minds, all injustices were toward us.  It was only after God’s grace miraculously transformed our lives that we saw the need for obedience.  Again, it is both the differing factor and the defining factor of our lives.

This is why today’s disciple gives 10 percent or more of their gross income to the storehouse of God… obedience.  Obedience causes us to do things that seem unrealistic and irrational to those on the outside looking in.  However, for true followers, obedience has become the defining agent of our lives.  Not only does it separate us from who we used to be but it defines who we currently are.  Let’s face it; as Christians, we are most miserable when we are least obedient.  Why is this?  Obedience toward God gives us peace and purpose. Without it, we have neither.

I know many Christians who do not attend Sunday morning worship when their finances are lacking. Why? Because they feel the shame of disobedience when the offering plate is passed through the pews.  In their minds, if they avoid the offering plate at church, they are also avoiding the conviction of their disobedience in giving.  However, now they not only feel conviction because of not tithing, they also feel conviction for disobeying God’s command to gather weekly with His people for the purpose of worship.

You see, obedience not only pleases God, but it also allows the Christian to follow the Lord shamelessly.  Friend, I promise you, when you begin to be obedient to God with your tithes and offerings, you will experience a harmony with God that non-tithers will never feel.  God has called every Christian to be obedient in their giving.