Devotional For the Week—4 Sep 2006

Sacramental Giving

Scripture Text: John 6:1-15

Introduction
Once a year, a Sunday is set aside for ‘pledge sunday’. What is pledge sunday? On this particular sunday, the people are given a pledge card to indicate the amount they wish to give back to the lord. How should our attitude be towards giving? In 1 Corinthians 10:31. It says “so whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Hence, our giving is a sacramental act. We should be conscious of God’s presence in our midst. How real is God’s presence with us?

Exposition of John 6:1-15

Question 1
Is the lord testing us in our obedience and devotion through our giving? Is he truly lord over our lives and possessions? (v5-6) In verse 5, Jesus asked philip where they could buy bread for the people to eat. Jesus knew the solution but asked philip this question just to test him. Was Jesus testing the faith of his disciples? There were many reasons the multitude followed Jesus. They did not know where Jesus was going but they followed him. The same questions can be asked of us. “why are we following Jesus?” What is our motive? There may be many reasons why we follow Jesus and most will appear seemingly valid to us. We may fail the test unless we are convinced that he is truly the lord of our lives (john 6:14). Are we willing to sacrifice all for him? For example Jesus asked the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and then follow him. Let us ask God to search our hearts to find out our true motive in following him. Is it for our own motive or is it to glorify his name?

Question 2
What is more important to you: the sacrifice (your pledge offering) or obedience? Philip’s response to Jesus’ question was that two hundred denarii would not be enough to buy the bread. The questions that could have run through philip’s mind could be

1. The question of where to buy the bread. (we are far away from any town or city)
2. The question of who is to buy the bread. (it would cost much money – who is going to foot the bill?)
3. The question of why must we feed them? (it is a question of reluctance. Why must we buy them food? – it is not our problem.) Do we display such a similar attitude when we look at the need of the church and ministry?
   How should we then give to the lord from now on?

• The story of Cain and Abel is a classic story to depict the difference between a grudging worshipper and generous worshipper; or between an obligated giver and obedient giver; a wailing and willing servant.
• Let us emulate and embrace the attitude and spirit of generosity of Abel.

  Here are possible suggestions of a spiritual way of sacramental giving:

  a. Give consciously before God (sacred moment) – not to men or to the church, but to God (Rom 12:1-2)

  b. Give obediently because you love God (sacred moment) – not grudgingly, not out of compulsion,
  but out of a heart of worship (2 Corinthians 9: 7)

  c. Give generously and don’t rob God (Malachi 3: 6-12)

Prayer response

Dear Lord, Thank you for all the blessings you have given me. I acknowledge that all i own is rightfully yours, i am just a steward. Help me to be a willing worshipper to you, obedient to your word and ways. Help me to realise that i can give without loving but i cannot say that i love you without giving to you back my heart, time, and resources Amen

Devotional based on message by Rev Vincent Goh