The power of sacrificial giving  

“It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself. “

 – Proverbs 11:25 (TLB)  

There has never been anyone who has outgiven God. The work of the cross clearly demonstrates the lengths to which God went for our salvation. He endured ridicule, beatings, and even death to redeem our souls from the shackles of sin. No price tag can adequately reflect the sacrifices Jesus made for us. Today, we will explore the lives of certain biblical characters who, through their sacrifices and acts of giving, overcame their challenges and sang a victor’s song. 

In Luke 5:1-6, let’s focus on verse 5 and revisit the previous verses. What do you notice in these scriptures? Here we find a man who has tried everything and is frustrated, yet nothing seems to be working. At this point, Peter is washing his nets, giving up hope of even catching a small fish. However, when Jesus asks to use his boat for ministry, Peter willingly complies.

Your giving is primarily for your own blessings.

Remember, fishing was not just a hobby for him; it was his livelihood. How often do we give, even in moments of loss or unfruitfulness? Peter defied the odds. He didn’t allow his current circumstances to dictate his willingness to give to God’s work. Ultimately, his generosity led to a net-breaking catch. His fishing skills alone could not have produced such a miraculous outcome—only God could. 

Consider Solomon in 1 Kings 3:4-5 (NKJV), where we read about his offering of a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon. This act was a profound display of worship, love, and reverence. Solomon didn’t ask for a divine encounter, yet his sacrifice captured God’s attention. When you love God, your giving should stem from a heart of worship, not compulsion or persuasion. Each time you give, it rises like incense—a sweet fragrance before the Lord. Your offerings have a voice that can advocate for you when given from a sincere heart. Solomon could have easily consumed those offerings or used them for his own enjoyment, yet he chose to honor God instead. 

As powerful as prayer is, the force of sacrificial giving is equally impactful. Through your sacrifices, battles can be won without you lifting a finger against your adversaries. 

As you go through your day, reflect on these truths: your giving is primarily for your own blessings. If you’ve been praying about a persistent issue, in addition to your prayers, consider engaging the weapon of sacrificial giving. You may find God providing what money cannot buy. 

Song of Worship

Lord, I give You my heart 

I give You my soul 

I live for you alone 

Every breath that I take 

Every moment I’m awake 

Lord, have Your ways in me 

Song I Give You My Heart | Hillsong (feat. Holly Dawson) 

Prayer –  Lord help me to give from a place of love for God and His work. Father, let my sacrifices arise as a fragrance unto You.