The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Sunday, May 5, 2024

UNDERSTANDING SACRIFICE

Sacrifice is the act of giving up something valuable or important for the sake of something else, typically a cause, a person, or a principle. It often involves a degree of personal cost, such as giving up comfort, resources, time, or even life itself, for the greater good or for someone else's benefit. By sacrificing our time, energy, and possessions to further His work, we demonstrate our devotion to the Lord. He instructed us to 'seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Matthew 6:33). Our willingness to make sacrifices reflects the priority we give to God's will in our lives.

Sacrificial giving, when focused on advancing God's Kingdom, results in abundant joy. It involves giving up personal comfort now to build treasures for future glory. Sacrifice is often seen as the key to transforming a person's fortune. Throughout biblical history, whenever men and women gave generously and sacrificially, they experienced God's provisions in remarkable ways.

A wise man once remarked that there are three levels of giving: below our capacity, at our capacity, and beyond our capacity. What does it mean to give beyond our ability? It involves pushing our giving beyond the point where it seems financially sensible. It means giving even when the numbers suggest it's unwise. It requires sacrificing not just the luxuries, but also some necessities. This kind of giving is akin to the faith demonstrated by the poor widow. For most of us, giving according to our means is challenging enough, but giving beyond our means seems like it would break us. However, it won't—because we trust in God's faithfulness to provide.

Confession:

I love the Lord, I give to His work, I sacrifice to Him, I propagate the gospel with my finances. I am blessed in so doing. Amen!

Further Reading:

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends”

Luke 9:24 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Read through the bible in 1 year: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22 John 4:4-42 Psalm 105:1-15 Proverbs 14:25

Read through the bible in 2 years: Haggai & Ps 118