Thought of the Day !!

But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
                                                      2 Corinthians 8:7 (TNIV)

Have you ever seen the church sign that read, “Give God what is right, not what is left”?  The truth is, God doesn’t want our leftovers.  He doesn’t want us to serve Him only when we feel we can make the time.  He doesn’t want the leftover money in our checking account after all the bills are paid.

In the Old Testament it was called “first fruits”.  God expected His children to show their trust in Him by giving up the best of what they had instead of the leftovers. 

Our God is Holy.  He gave us life, and He can take it away at any time He chooses.  He gives us forgiveness and second chances.  He is mighty, yet cares for the weak.  He deserves excellence.  The Corinthians excelled in some areas, but Paul was asking them not to settle for excelling in just some areas.  We should strive to excel in all areas when it comes to our Holy God. 

Some might say, “But something is better than nothing.” And so they throw a few dollars in the offering plate even though they just came in to a lot of money.  Or they come on most Sunday mornings claiming that they attend this or that church.

Is something really better than nothing?  NO.  If you’re not willing to give God the best of what you got…then don’t give anything at all.  If you're not willing to give Him what He deserves, then it's an insult to give a pittance. 

Look at it from a human point of view.  When invited to dinner, would you be happy with the scraps that are left over from your host?  Well God’s no different.  Jesus said, “Deny yourselves and take up your crosses and follow me” not “take all you can fill your bags with and come on.”

Excellence means giving God what He deserves.  It means giving Him what's right, not what's left.  I means giving our full selves.

In the love of Christ,
greg