Giving to God

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
Many people grumble and complain when the word ‘offering’ is mentioned in a church service. In our heads, we know that giving, monetarily or otherwise, is part of our worship to God; we know that we receive a blessing for it (Mal. 3:10); we know that we should enjoy giving to Him (2 Cor. 9:6-7); yet still we complain sometimes.
What this attitude points to, is that we need a different perspective. Who provided the abilities you have, to do the job you have been appointed for, to earn the money you receive, from which you can give to God? “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deut. 8:18). God created the world and all its resources. He created each of us with certain talents and abilities. Job recognised that without the Lord, he was nothing: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21).
So really, everything we have belongs to God anyway. Even our bodies are not our own, but belong to Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20). When we can give graciously to God, saying, ‘Lord, I’m only giving back to You what is Yours already’ – then we have the right attitude about giving, and God will bless us.