Parenting by Design - October 2

Offerings

Psalms 50:9-11: I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine (NIV).

We may look at the things we do for God—going to church, tithing, Bible study—as favors to Him and expect Him to appreciate our sacrifices of time and money. A sense of entitlement may even develop as we expect Him to reward us. However, God doesn't need our sacrifices—He owns them already!

True worship recognizes that all things belong to God, including our time and our children. Every heartbeat is His gift. This perspective encourages us to make our offerings as true worship because we realize we have no claim on the things of this earth. It is only because of grace that we are able to have fellowship with Him and offer those gifts in the first place.

Don't be resentful for being called to give back to God; see it as a privilege and opportunity to express your love and faith.