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Our Offerings to God
When the elders asked the deacons to write an article for the Southside Sunday, we were given a choice of topics. I decided on “Our Offerings to God.” Then, after careful consideration, I began first of all to look at some of the things God has given us.
God Created the Heavens and the Earth – Gen. 1,2; Isa. 42:5-6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:10.
We read in Genesis that God created the heavens and the earth, night and day, and the firmament to divide the waters. He gathered the waters together and created dry land and the seas, grass, seed, fruit, the sun, moon and stars, the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air, and all the beasts of the earth. Once everything was in place, God created both male and female, and from the very beginning, God provided all the necessary things needed for man to live and to be fruitful and multiply on the earth.
God set into motion the laws of physics and nature. He placed the innumerable stars and planets in the heavens. He set the earth at the perfect angle and placed it at the precise distance from the sun so that all things could grow and thrive. He provided man with a body so complex that we still are unable to fully explain how it functions, even with the advancements in medical science and technology. He provided man with the ability to think, to reason, and to make decisions. God gave us everything we see, touch and feel as well as mysteries that we may never know or understand.
God Gave His Holy Eternal Word – Psa. 119:105; Isa. 40:8.
We don’t have to live our lives in fear and darkness, having no idea how God wants us to live in order to be pleasing to Him. He has provided us with everything we need in His God-breathed word. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” – 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
God’s word is powerful and has the ability to change our lives – Psa. 119:130; Heb. 4:12. It provides us with faith and hope. It instructs us on what we must do to be saved as well as what to avoid so that we are not separated by sin from God. We are given multiple examples of great Bible characters with stories of great courage in Hebrews 11. We read of those who chose to serve the Lord at the risk of losing their lives, refusing to deny their Savior, of whom the word was not worthy – Heb. 11:32-40. We also learn how to be better husbands, wives and children – Eph. 5:22-27; 6:1-3.
God Gave Us His Only Son – John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4.
God knew beforehand that man would sin causing separation and that a heavenly sacrifice would have to be made to restore man to a right relationship with Him. He knew beforehand that Christ would have to carry our sins on the cross. God was willing to allow His only Son to leave heaven and come to the earth to live as a man and ultimately to give His life so that we could be pardoned from our sins. Christ came to the earth to save sinners – 1 Tim. 1:15.
There is a hymn we sing on occasion entitled, “How Deep the Father’s Love.” Consider the following verse: “How deep the Father’s love for us! How vast beyond all measure! That He would give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure! How great the pain of searing loss! The Father turns His face away as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.”
The intention is not to oversimplify what we can offer to God, but I believe what He expects from us is praise and devotion. If we live our lives in accordance with His word and obey the teachings and commandments of the Scriptures, then we will receive the promise of an eternal home in heaven – Eccl. 12:13; 2 Tim. 4:7-8.
