DOES IT REPRESENT YOU?

I recently read this story. Whether it is true or not I don’t know, but the message is still advantageous. "It happened one time after the preacher had made an appeal in church for a great and worthy cause, that a certain woman – a member of the church – came to him and handed him a check for $50, asking if her gift was satisfactory. The preacher immediately replied, ‘If it represents you.’

"There was a moment of soul-searching thought and she asked to have the check returned to her. She left with it and a day or two later she returned, handing the preacher a check for $5,000, and again asked the same question, ‘Is my gift satisfactory?’ The preacher gave the same answer as before, ‘If it represents you.’ As before, a truth seemed to be driving deeply. After a few moments of hesitation she took back the check and left.

"Later in the week she came again with a check. This time it was for $50,000. As she placed it in the preacher's hand, she said, ‘After earnest, prayerful thought, I have come to the conclusion that this gift does represent me and I am happy to give it.’"

Does what you give to God truly represent you? I know that it may seem the church is constantly trying to get into your wallet or pocketbook. There are the weekly offerings as well as special offerings for missionaries and building funds. Some religious groups even take two or three offerings each time the congregations are assembled. What we give financially to the church and ultimately to God should be done cheerfully and liberally. It would be horrible to miss the joys of heaven because of selfishness or greed.

However, I am not referring to that type of giving. What I am referring to is the giving of oneself. The apostle Paul wrote concerning the Christians from Macedonia and their liberal financial support that they gave beyond their ability even while being in "deep poverty" (2 Cor. 8:2,3). But he went on to write, ". . .but they first gave themselves to the Lord. . .," (2 Corinthians 8:5 NKJV). No amount of money given will make up for the lack of obedient service to God, and it seems the Macedonian Christians were well aware of that. They gave of themselves first.

In his letter to the Christians at Rome, Paul wrote that they were to present "their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God," (Romans 12:1, NKJV). In other words, their lives were first and foremost to be given to serving God. Would your children say that serving God acceptably is first and foremost in your life? As a Christian, does your family see you living what you claim to be? Do they see you studying your Bible, praying, worshiping, helping others, etc.? Do your words, your recreation, your business practices reflect a godly attitude? Maybe, like the woman, you need to give some "earnest, thoughtful prayer" to what you are giving to God. Maybe you need to adjust your life – your gift to God – to that which truly "represents you."