"In addition to what you vow and your freewill offerings, offer these to the Lord at your appointed festivals: your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings." (Numbers 29:39)I just finished reading chapter 29 of the Book of Numbers. Ironically, I began to count how often the words “in addition” are found in this chapter.
I am not an expert on the rules and guidelines of all the offering in the Bible, but I do know that God was always teaching something even through the rituals of the days of old.
God is holy and we are not. He wants us to understand our need for Him.
There were burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings all being overseen by the priest. A system to show mankind that sin had a cost.
I wonder how we would fare if that system was in place today? I can barely keep track of them as I read it!
I believe the heart being cultivated is to release what often we hold tight. It was about giving your best to a Holy God.
The law of Moses required many offerings. In this chapter the command was, “in addition” also bring these animals as an offering. The requirement was specific, and the animals presented had to be healthy free of blemishes. In other words, the best of the best.
In today's currency it would translate to our hard-earned money.
With Thanksgiving on the horizon would we say that our hearts are filled to overflowing with Thanksgiving? What if the Lord said, “in addition” to us? Those words mean above and beyond what you plan on doing. Do more! Stretch yourself. Trust in God.
Would we feel inconvenienced or maybe just stingy and afraid to let go?
We give at the church but what about if additional offering are presented to us? Do we justify that we gave enough?
If someone needs a financial hand, do we keep our two hands in our pocket?
If we are familiar with the scriptures, we know that the money entrusted to us is actually on loan from the Lord. He instructs us on how to use it and even when to release it. He does this not only with money but with our time and the possessions that we have. He gently spurs us on to do more. If we are still, we can hear the words, “in addition.”
During this thanksgiving season often our hearts become a little bit more tender and our ears more receptive to hearing the words, “in addition.” Praise God!
Let's do this together and when we hear the words “in addition” let's bless the household of faith and our neighbors next door. Let out actions speak of the great work that God has done in us. He has saved us and blessed us richly.
We give at the church but what about if additional offering are presented to us? Do we justify that we gave enough?
If someone needs a financial hand, do we keep our two hands in our pocket?
If we are familiar with the scriptures, we know that the money entrusted to us is actually on loan from the Lord. He instructs us on how to use it and even when to release it. He does this not only with money but with our time and the possessions that we have. He gently spurs us on to do more. If we are still, we can hear the words, “in addition.”
During this thanksgiving season often our hearts become a little bit more tender and our ears more receptive to hearing the words, “in addition.” Praise God!
Let's do this together and when we hear the words “in addition” let's bless the household of faith and our neighbors next door. Let out actions speak of the great work that God has done in us. He has saved us and blessed us richly.
Let's be like the little boy who gave up his lunch on the side of the mountain and Jesus was able to multiply it and feed the masses.
“In addition”, pass this message to encourage someone else. Let's learn to bless others during this Thanksgiving season.
“In addition”, pass this message to encourage someone else. Let's learn to bless others during this Thanksgiving season.
God bless you!~Liz
