Do Your Gifts Please God?

Years ago, when working in the field of technology for a school system, my coworkers and I decided to pool our money together for a gift for our boss. He had a good sense of humor, so there were several gag gift suggestions, but also more thoughtful gift ideas. All of our gift ideas had merit, but we agreed on a more impersonal gift certificate to a local restaurant. And why? We asked his wife! She suggested the gift certificate knowing that he would be appreciative, and he was. We were glad we asked.

Have you ever wondered what kind of gift God would appreciate? We don’t have to wonder or guess. He has actually revealed to us what He desires in His word.

I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

—Romans 12:1

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

—Micah 6:8

Of course, when we think of giving to God we also naturally think of the Sunday collection.

Often times I have found myself writing a check and dropping it in the collection plate without even thinking. I didn’t have a bad attitude. But it was a kind of mechanical giving experience.

The prophet Amos warned God’s people about their sacrifices. They were presumptuous in thinking that a gift to God would please Him when they were also honoring foreign gods.

The prophet Malachi warned the people that God would not accept their offerings. They selected sick and lame animals for sacrifices and found the whole process to be tiresome.

Solomon gave a warning to avoid eating with a selfish person saying, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, ‘Eat and drink!’ but his heart is not with you.” This illustrates hypocritical giving in which a person offers a gift, but really does not want to give.

Some Pharisees at the time of Jesus were very careful to observe the Law of Moses. However, they only desired to be seen by other people. They were insincere in their offering to God.

These examples illustrate different ways that our offerings to God can become meaningless. So, how can we avoid mechanical giving, insincerity, selfish giving, hypocritical giving, and presumptuous giving? How can we give in such a way that it pleases God?

The Apostle Paul encouraged:

Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 

—2 Corinthians 9:7 (ISV)

Giving is a decision of the heart, suggesting that you have thought about it. Also, your giving is not something you regret or something you are forced to do. If you need guidance in deciding about your giving, just reflect on what God has done for you; and don’t stop with just a couple of items on your list. Keep thinking….

In the next verse (2 Corinthians 9:8), Paul wrote that God “is able to make all grace abound.” The idea is that God has blessed you with enough so that you can give something. Even then, God does not tell you to give a specific amount or percentage. Again, your giving is something you are to think about and decide on in order to please God.

Do you think your offerings please God?

If not, what would you change?

Mark Stinnett

November 28, 2021