In what ways can we offer our resources to God today? Setting the Scene at the Tabernacle “On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the Naphtalites, approached.” (Numbers 7:80) Each tribal prince brought a costly, tangible offering to dedicate the altar. The gifts were identical, yet personally carried, signaling unity, obedience, and joyful surrender. The Heart Behind the Gift • Giving is first a matter of the heart: “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) • The leaders’ offerings sprang from gratitude for redemption and a desire to honor God’s dwelling. Our gifts flow from the same gratitude today. Resources We Can Offer Today Like Ahira, we bring what is in our hands: • Finances and material wealth • Time and availability • Skills, talents, and vocational abilities • Homes, possessions, and practical assets • Influence, leadership, relationships “Therefore I urge you…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1) Offering Our Finances • Tithes that support the local church’s gospel work • Freewill offerings toward missions, benevolence, and crisis relief • Regular generosity to the poor (Proverbs 3:9) • “The gifts you sent…are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18) Offering Our Time • Serving on ministry teams, teaching children, mentoring youth • Visiting shut-ins, hospital patients, and widows • Setting aside focused hours for intercession and Bible study “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) Offering Our Skills and Talents • Musicians, tech workers, teachers, counselors, craftsmen—each blessing the body • Professional expertise donated to kingdom causes (legal, medical, trades) • “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10) Offering Our Homes and Possessions • Hospitality—meals shared, guest rooms opened to missionaries or those in need • Vehicles used for transport to church, appointments, or food delivery • Tools, equipment, and land loaned for ministry projects “Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16) Offering Our Influence and Leadership • Using workplace authority to model integrity and encourage faith conversations • Leveraging social networks to amplify gospel truth and compassion projects • Serving on church boards, community panels, and school committees with a Christ-centered conscience Early believers did this: “They laid [their resources] at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 4:34-35) Walking Out Our Offerings Daily Giving is not a single event but a lifestyle: • Start each day asking, “Lord, whose needs will You let me meet?” • Plan generosity into budgets, calendars, and career goals • Celebrate God’s provision with thanksgiving “And whatever you do…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17) Our modern offerings, like Ahira’s ancient gift, testify that everything we have belongs to the Lord and is gladly laid at His feet. |
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