Daily Bible Devotion - Serving God with Our Offerings (Part 2)

21. July 2026

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Serving God with your Time, Tithes and Offering

Serving God with Our Offerings (Part 2)

⸻

Hello, dear friends.

Welcome to the second part of our devotion on Serving God with Our Offerings. Yesterday, we discovered that an offering is much more than money. We learnt that an offering is anything we intentionally present to God as an act of worship, gratitude, obedience, and love. Today, let us continue by looking at what the Bible teaches us about the heart behind our offerings.

Before you continue, I encourage you to read Genesis 4:1–16, Exodus 35:4–29, Exodus 36:3–7, Deuteronomy 16:16–17, and Romans 12:1.

⸻

God Looks at the Heart Behind the Offering

Brothers and sisters, one of the first offerings we encounter in Scripture is the offering of Cain and Abel.

The Bible tells us that both brothers brought an offering before the Lord.

"And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering."

— Genesis 4:3–5 (NKJV)

For many years, I wondered about this passage.

Both of them gave.

Both came before God.

Both presented an offering.

So why did God accept one and reject the other?

As I continued to study the Scriptures, I realised that God was not merely looking at what they brought. He was looking at the condition of their hearts.

Abel brought the firstborn and the best of what he had.

Cain simply brought an offering.

One gave God his very best.

The other gave what was convenient.

Dear friends, this challenged me deeply.

When we come before God, do we give Him our best?

Do we give Him the best of our time?

Do we give Him the best of our worship?

Do we give Him the best of our resources?

Or do we simply give Him what is left over after everything else has taken priority?

Remember, God has never been impressed by the size of an offering. He has always been moved by the sincerity of the heart behind it.

⸻

Do Not Come Before the Lord Empty-Handed

There is another principle that appears throughout the Old Testament.

God repeatedly instructed His people not to appear before Him empty-handed.

"They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you."

— Deuteronomy 16:16–17 (NKJV)

Notice that God never demanded that everyone give the same amount.

He simply asked each person to give according to how He had blessed them.

This teaches us that giving is personal.

God does not compare your offering with someone else's.

He simply asks whether you are honouring Him with what He has entrusted to you.

⸻

When God's People Gave More Than Enough

Beloved, there is another story that has always fascinated me.

When God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle, He asked the people to bring offerings for the work of the Lord.

The people responded with such willing hearts that they kept bringing their offerings day after day.

Gold.

Silver.

Bronze.

Jewellery.

Fine linen.

Precious materials.

Everyone brought what they had.

Eventually, something remarkable happened.

The craftsmen came to Moses and said,

"The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do."

— Exodus 36:5 (NKJV)

Can you imagine that?

Moses actually had to make a public announcement telling the people to stop bringing offerings because there was already more than enough.

"So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much."

— Exodus 36:6–7 (NKJV)

Brothers and sisters, what a beautiful picture of willing generosity.

No one was manipulated.

No one was forced.

No one was threatened.

People gave because their hearts were stirred by God.

I pray that our ministry will always be filled with people who give with the right motive—not because they are under pressure, but because they genuinely love the Lord and desire to see His Kingdom advance.

⸻

Today Our Offering Looks Different

Today, we no longer bring goats, sheep, or bulls before the Lord.

Jesus Christ has become our perfect sacrifice.

But that does not mean offerings have disappeared.

Instead, our offerings have taken a different form.

The Apostle Paul writes:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

— Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

Today we offer our lives.

We offer our worship.

We offer our praise.

We offer our time.

We offer our gifts.

And yes, we also offer our finances for the further advancement of God's Kingdom.

Without faithful offerings, churches cannot function effectively.

Missionaries cannot be sent.

The gospel cannot reach as many people.

Church buildings cannot be maintained.

Electricity bills cannot be paid.

Musical instruments cannot be purchased.

Children's ministries cannot operate.

Evangelism cannot continue as effectively.

Our offerings become practical expressions of our worship.

They make ministry possible.

⸻

Looking Ahead to Tomorrow

Tomorrow, we will conclude this devotion by looking at who we are called to bless through our offerings—God's house, our parents and families, our pastors, fellow believers, and the poor. We will also reflect on the powerful stories of Elijah and the widow, and why God often uses an offering as an opportunity to release a greater blessing.

⸻

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You look beyond the gift and into the heart of the giver. Help us never to give out of pressure or obligation, but from hearts filled with gratitude and love. Teach us to give You our very best, just as Abel did, and may our offerings always be acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Shalom,

Rev. Joseph Antwi