About CFC
The beauty of generous giving
By Susi McIlveen
5th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Key Verse
Exodus 22 v 29
“Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. ‘You must give me the firstborn of your sons.”
Main Content
Central truth: All that we have is a gift from God. It is expedient that we dedicate to him all that is rightfully his!
My Father in law was a missionary in Nigeria. When the family returned to Belfast they had very little and my father in law worked in the docks as a labourer. The family went to a Presbyterian Church where they had the rather uncomfortable practise, and possibly still do, of publishing what you contributed financially in the church magazine. My husband Alastair remembers thinking it rather odd that their family were one of the highest contributors into the church despite the fact that they were definitely one of the worst off at that time.
My father in law’s faithfulness was rewarded as God opened up a significant promotion whereby he became a supervisor in a granary at the docks, (rather apt given my key verse!) I do think this was a direct blessing on him as he had liberally given to the Lord out of the little they had.
When the Lord has his rightful place in our lives, enthroned as Sovereign King, we readily bow down and offer up right sacrifices. People who have this poise in their lives I think display true beauty. There is something radiant about a worshipper whose life is a fountain of giving. I can honestly say that my father in law was a genuine giver in all areas of his life.
Why do we daily struggle to sit on the throne ourselves and try to hold onto all that we see as ours? Self-centredness and selfishness are ugly and are never satisfied.
I want to live a life of dedication. To dedicate my children, recognising they are His, is a liberating thing. To dedicate my possessions, my time, my energy, ultimately brings joy and fulfilment to my life.
Often, if I have had a challenging day and face challenging circumstances, I find the act of giving and fellowshipping with our connect group that meets in our home serves to lift me out of myself and my circumstances and releases joy and perspective.
When we hold back in our giving, we are poorer and suffer as a result.
Proverb 11 v 24, (RSV) says;
“One man gives freely yet grows all the richer, another withholds what he should give and only suffers want.”
Consider:
Is there any area in your life where you are withholding from God what is rightfully His?
Take some time to dedicate your loved ones and all that God has blessed you with to the Lord your Provider.
Pray for an opportunity today to practise the beauty of giving generously.
Susi McIlveen
I have been married to Alastair for 28 years and we have 2 grown up children and a westie to keep us company. I seem to have been a Christian for as long as I can remember, possibly since I was about ten. I think I always had a keen awareness of Jesus and my need for his hand on my life. I am a homemaker and a teacher by training, although I don’t currently work. When I was younger my passion was sport but my interests have diversified to include such things as reading, bible study and Strictly Come Dancing! I think I am a frustrated dancer at heart.
