November 2, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Be generous when you worship the Lord, and do not skimp the first fruits of your hands. Every time you give, have a cheerful face, and pay your tithe gladly. Give to the Most High as He has given to you, generously, according to your means. (Ecclesiasticus 35:6, 10-12)

The statement above reaffirms the ordinances and principles of giving Moses teaches in the Old Testament and Paul in the New Testament. The Church is the gathering of those summoned by their Lord to worship Him, that is, express how much He is worth to them. One major way is through offerings. We are instructed not to appear before Him empty-handed. To enter His gates with thanksgiving actually means to enter His gates with a thank offering. We are not to be stingy but generous, like He is to us, and cheerful as we offer our gifts and pay our tithes. Freely we have received, freely we are to give according to our means. Instead of thinking "We gotta do it," we should realize, "We get to do it" because we've been blessed with ability.

Charity is giving without expecting a return. Having the security and freedom to do this is a blessing which comes from an understanding that the Lord is our Shepherd and therefore we shall not want.