*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 2019* *GIVING TO GOD*

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 2019*

*GIVING TO GOD*

TEXT: EXODUS 25:1-22.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering" (EXODUS 25:2)._

Hattie Wiatt, a little girl, came to a small Sunday school and asked to be taken in but was explained there was no room for her. A short time later, Hattie became ill and died. At the funeral, her mother handed the Reverend a small purse - Hattie's purse - and a scrap of paper on which was written, "To help build the little Temple bigger so that more children can go to Sunday school." For two years she had saved her pennies for the cause which was nearest her heart. The pastor told the incident to his congregation and the people began making donations for the enlargement. Not long, Hattie's fifty seven cents had grown to be $250,000, and today in Philadelphia, can be seen a great church, the Baptist Temple, seating 3,300, a Temple College with accommodations for more than 1,400 students, a Temple Hospital and a large Temple Sunday school.

From the passage, God commanded Moses to take offerings from the children of Israel, not outsiders, towards the construction of the Tabernacle. If we understand that everything we possess belongs to God, it will be very easy to give. The precious stones needed for the priest's ephod and the breastplates were found among the Israelites. Even though they were unsettled, the Lord deposited these items under the custody of the people for such a time like this.

Whatever you have now was given to you by God for a purpose. It will be important for us not to fail when our treasures are demanded to help in God's work. The practice of soliciting for funds from unbelievers to build church auditoria is totally unscriptural. Only the redeemed of the Lord should be involved in His work and their giving will receive God's blessings.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* Giving is part of our worship.

COVER TO COVER: DANIEL 9-10.

*MEDITATION:*

How to invite the presence of God v22

1. Give offerings willingly from your heart to God v2.
a. Observe that the offerings they were to give actually belong to God vv3-9.
b. Observe that they were very relevant to the needs of the Church both for worship and expansion vv10-21.
c. Observe that the offerings were used in a divinely prescribed way vv10-21.
d. Apart from material things, what are other things man can offer to God and be acceptable to Him?
*Lord*, give me the heart and grace that always gives willing from the heart🙏
*Lord*, I want you to teach me offerings, acceptable to you, to be giving in your house, service and to my neighbours🙏
2. Let the offerings be used in the way God wants it or for what is priority to God vv10-21.
3. Though we are human, allow the Spirit to cover every manifestations of the flesh in your offerings vv10-21.
a. The ark was made of wood signifying humanity or human products vv10,13. But the wood must be totally covered with gold signifying divinity vv11,12,13.
b. The mercy seat and the Cherubims were all of gold v17,18.
c. Observe that the wood itself was created by God and yet God want it covered with gold.
c. How do people allow the flesh or depraved nature to affect their services, sacrifices, offerings, worship etc in their motives, appearances, comportment etc?
*Lord*, I want my offerings of love and worship to always be acceptable to you. Teach me how to offer a more acceptable offerings🙏
*Lord*, purify all my offerings by the blood of Jesus and the workings of the Holy Spirit and remove every colouration of the flesh🙏
4. The word of God (the Testimony) must be central v21.
5. After all is done, full confidence must be on the grace and mercy of God and not on our selves v17. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy..."
Titus 3:4-6.
*Lord*, let your mercy and grace never departs from the Church🙏
6. The result: "And there will I meet with you and commune with you..." vv22.
*Ask* for the mighty presence of God in the coming retreat🙏

HYMN: Give of your best to the Master

1. Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.
Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

2. Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

3. Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.