RENDER TO GOD

“Jesus said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God's.”” (Luke 20:25)

The challenge for contemporary Christians in increasingly liberal societies and under the onslaught of materialism is not so much in the rendering to Caesar aspect of Jesus’ exhortation, but in maintaining the tension by keeping up the other aspect which is, and rather critically, rendering to God the things that are God’s.

Christian, are you aware that you have obligations to be loyal and devoted to God and committed to His ways? How well are you living up to these? Are you being held back by “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other thing?” These things challenge and test our devotion and loyalty to God and confidence in Him, but they can never overcome genuine faith. It is by faith that we overcome and maintain victory over the world!

Let us be very mindful of this very thing and ask God to reveal to us any way in which we may be falling Him and not even know it. Why don't you, in the sincerity of your heart, say to Him,“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24). This is the cry of the heart that is keen to render to God the things that are God's. Don't hold back on spending time alone with God in prayer, don't hold back on spending time with the Word, don't hold back your expressions of love and kindness, and so on. When you give full expression to your new nature as a new creation you do in truth render to God that which is God's.

May the Lord strengthen your faith today and fill you with courage to present your life to God daily as that holy and acceptable living sacrifice which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship, and to faithfully give back to Him everything that is His according to your obligations in Christ. Amen!

God bless you!

~ Pastor Victor Ubani

GIVE FREELY

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” (Proverbs 11:24)

As Christians, we have a moral and spiritual obligation to give freely, give generously and give cheerfully. Giving is an act of grace and a fruit of righteousness. But, sadly for some, giving is a subject that stirs strong negative emotion and selective hearing; they withhold what they should give.

But why should a Christian struggle to give freely of their resources – to finance the gospel , to be hospitable and relieve the poor, to meet all kinds of need? We can suggest at least one reason why a person will withhold what they should give, but it certainly has nothing to do with lack of ability or opportunity. God will accept and bless your giving “according to your ability”.

Withholding your giving, whatever the form, is always a reflection of a weak, or lack of, trust in God. First, it reflects that you do not believe God when He says He has given you seed for sowing (2 Cor 9:10). Withholding your giving is failure to sow your seed. And secondly, withholding what you should give indicates that you do not believe God when He says “Give and it shall be given to you…” (Luke 6:38). God is your source: He gives you seed, and He multiplies it back to you when you sow it!

Is anyone better off by withholding? God says, No! “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”  Paul wrote, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” (Philippians 4:17). Give yourself to God and give freely even as God Himself has given you all things freely. It is more blessed to freely give of your money, time and talent than to withhold!