Two Kinds of Offerings
The Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines in a war against Israel. It symbolized the Glory of Israel.
For the 7 months that the Philistines kept the Ark it brought disease, death and plagues for the people.
The Ark of the Covenant was sacred. It represented the presence of God among His people, in the same way that tithes and offerings do. Whoever holds on to them will be subject to the spirit of curses.
When God tells His people to bring their tithes and offerings to His house, He immediately afterwards guarantees that he will rebuke the devourer, that is the curse or plague destroys those who rob.
Pressured by the curse of holding onto the Ark, the Philistines decided to give it back to Israel, and consulted their priests and diviners on how to make this return.
Though they were servants of evil, they knew that the plague would not end without a guilt offering.
They answered: “Five golden tumors and five golden rats, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines. For the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. Therefore you shall make images of your tumors and images of your rats that ravage the land, and you shall give glory to the God of Israel...”I Samuel 6:1-5
The giving of guilt offerings is an obligation.
King David also had to sacrifice to remove the plague-curse that had fallen upon the people of Israel.
God had to sacrifice His Son Jesus to remove the plague of sin that was upon mankind.
Whoever wants to be filled with the Holy Spirit has sacrifice his will, his desires and his own life to receive Him.
This type of offering is a manifestation of faith that demands obedience.
Either a person believes, sacrifices and is free from the curse through obedience, or he will suffer the consequences of the curse through disobedience.
Either a person believes, sacrifices and is free from the curse through obedience, or he will suffer the consequences of the curse through disobedience.
An offering of sacrifice must be made. If it is not made for the personal benefit of eternal salvation, it will be for the misfortune of eternal damnation.
The blessing comes from obedient to the Word of God with sacrifice. The curse comes as a consequence of disobedience to the Word of God.
One thing is certain: With either obedience or disobedience to the Word of God, a sacrifice will have to be made, both for salvation and for damnation.
Those who sacrifice, obey. Those who obey, sacrifice and are saved. Those who do not sacrifice, disobey. Those who disobey, do not sacrifice and will be sacrificed in the Lake of fire and brimstone.
Voluntary offerings are inspired by the Spirit of God. Whereas guilt offerings involve an exchange, the Spirit-inspired involves purity and richness of spirit. It is the purest expression of love, unselfishness and trust in God.
The giver gives without expecting anything in exchange. They give by faith, out of love... They give with total joy. It is called a generous offering because it is inspired by God.
Through Paul, the Holy Spirit Himself teaches about this offering when he says:
”So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”2 Corinthians 9:7
”So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”2 Corinthians 9:7
Do you want to receive the abundance of God?
Then sacrifice your abundance to Him.
It's all for all.
To those who believe, amen. To those who don’t believe, what more can I say?
Then sacrifice your abundance to Him.
It's all for all.
To those who believe, amen. To those who don’t believe, what more can I say?
Note: Lately, my blogs have been longer because I believe readers are having a bit more time on their hands to read, reread and meditate on these messages.
God bless you
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