Two Offerings

 

Sermon - Two Offerings

Scripture: Genesis 4:1–9; Deuteronomy 12:11; 2 Corinthians 9:5–9

Prayer: O Father! Grant us what we need, and receive from us what we ought to give You. We ask and accept this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let this truth echo in your hearts all the days of your life:
“Lord, give us what You intend for us, and accept what we offer to You.”

If He does not give, we cannot give. Let me remind you of three stories — two from the Bible and one from life:

1.      The story of Abel,

2.     The story of the poor widow,

3.     And a story of a little child — though simple, this too is biblical and known to all.

Before revisiting Abel’s story, I felt led this morning to share something I believe the Lord impressed upon my heart.

It was as though the Lord said to me:
"On the day of the offering festival, you gave one rupee. That coin was made of silver, wasn’t it? Where did that silver come from? Wasn’t it I who provided it? You gave as an offering only what I enabled you to obtain. So what have you given Me that is truly yours?"

Even if we offer one-and-a-half coins instead of one, what difference does it make? In Deuteronomy 12:11, the Lord says: "Bring your best offerings into the house of the Lord your God.” It doesn’t say “bring whatever you feel like,” but specifically, “your best.”

You might ask: What more can I give?
Man is made of three parts — body, soul, and spirit. Is a coin more valuable, or is a human being with all three parts more valuable? Of course, the person is more valuable — in our eyes and in God's.

Look at the story of the widow. She gave all she had — though small in amount, it was everything she possessed. The scholars gave from abundance, but Jesus didn’t consider the size of their bags — He looked at her heart. She held back nothing; she gave not just money, but her whole self.

So what does God want?

1.      The person giving the offering?

2.     Or the offering itself?

He wants both. When someone comes before God to give an offering, they must first offer their body, soul, and spirit, saying, “Lord, I surrender myself to You.” Then they may offer their gift.

This is what Abel did. He brought the best of his flock — the firstborn lambs. But before God accepted his offering, He accepted Abel himself. The Bible shows that both Abel and his offering were accepted. God's approval came not just from what Abel gave, but from who Abel was.

But the devil stirred envy in Cain. Driven by jealousy, Cain murdered his brother. Yet, though Abel died, he went to be with God — because his offering was sincere.

Two outcomes:

1.      Abel, though dead, became an offering to God — ascending to heaven.

2.     Cain, the murderer, was cast out from God’s presence.

Abel, who once gave an earthly offering in the house of God, became a heavenly offering himself. He didn’t know it — but the one who gave the best on earth, was received as the best in heaven.

Jesus once said to a woman, "Mother, when I came to your house, you gave Me food."
She replied, “When did I do that, Lord?” He answered, “When you gave to the poor woman, you gave to Me.” Though she gave to the poor, in God’s eyes, it was as if she had given to Christ Himself — she didn’t realize it.

When Abel offered the lamb, he did not realize that he was, in essence, offering his body, soul, and spirit to God. But after reaching heaven, he understood. He must have said, “My brother killed me on earth, but my Heavenly Father raised me and brought me here.”

We now stand in the presence of the Bridegroom, who is greater than Abel. If, in this sacred feast, we offer a gift to God—if we dedicate ourselves right where we are seated and present an offering worthy of the Bridegroom—then the Beloved of the Second Coming may choose us as His worthy Bride-Church.

Let us not find ourselves saying to the Lord, “Is this all I’m going to offer You?”

I once sat beside a wealthy man in the temple. As he tightly clutched his offering and dropped it into the bag, I noticed it was just a a tiny coin. My heart ached. I thought to myself, “If God has blessed him with so much, is this all he is willing to give back?” I, with my smaller income, was giving more. That deeply struck my heart. Though that man is no longer with us and never knew I observed this, I’m sharing it now with you, dear listeners.

So, beloved, surrender your body, soul, and spirit to God.

1. Sin dwells in the body.
2. Sinful thoughts dwell in the soul.

Because of these, there is some affliction—some disease or anxiety—that stains the body. It may even be a worry like, “My prayer hasn’t been answered.” But do not hesitate because of such thoughts. Go ahead and offer your gift.

If you yourself become the offering, then surely He will accept your gift.

If you keep your:

1. Sins,
2. Mistakes,
3. Anxieties,
4. Troubles — to yourself, they will harm you.

This is exactly what the Lord said to Isaiah:

1. I will forgive your sins,
2. I will atone for them,
3. I will cover them—hide them from view,
4. I will never remember them again.

So, if you hold on to your evil, it harms you. But if you give it to Me, I will make restitution. If you have something good, give that too—I will take good care of it.

Give me both your good and your bad. Then, it is as if you yourself have become the gift. Then offer your gift, and whether small or large, it will be valuable.

This is seen in the story of Abel:

1. God accepted the best lamb, and
2. God accepted Abel himself.

The Bible says Abel offered the lamb first, but actually, he first gave himself to God—that’s why his gift was excellent. Because of this, God accepted both the best lamb and the best man.

On this day, whoever offers themselves first and then their gift—God will accept it.

Today, I’ve told you the stories of Abel and the poor widow.

The Child’s Story: A mother was joyfully playing with her infant child. One day, while she was holding the child, her brother came and placed a banana in the baby’s hand. Instead of eating it immediately, the baby first put it into the uncle’s mouth. This brought great joy to him.

That act was not due to teaching or parental instruction, but rather, it was a virtue instilled by the Creator in that child’s very nature. No one needed to tell him. Though the uncle didn’t know the child possessed such a good nature, he understood it through that act.

Likewise, today let your gratitude be shown through an act of giving. The uncle ate a portion of the fruit, smiled at the child, and gave the rest back. Similarly, God will repay you more abundantly for your offering. If you first give what you ought to, He will settle the rest, whether your offering is small or large.

Two Offerings:

Today's offerings are like the two coins given by the poor widow (Luke 21:1–4).

1. The first offering is you,
2. The second offering is your possession.

If you place both in the offering box, just like He accepted the widow’s offering, He will accept you and your gift.

Abel had many sheep, yet he gave the very best to God. He was rich. The poor widow was not wealthy like Abel, yet her offering amazed God.

1. In our eyes, the Pharisees were the rich ones.
2. But in God's eyes, the widow was truly rich.

To us, she seemed poor. But God did not commend the Pharisees—He praised the poor widow. Why? Because she gave everything she had. That made her the richer one in God’s sight. So are you rich or poor today? Are you giving out of spiritual prompting or just human emotion?

If you remain in God's presence, you’ll know such divine secrets. Otherwise, you won’t.

To understand these truths, your household must have:

1. An Abel,
2. A poor widow, and
3. A little child.

These three stories are now given to you as three lessons. Amen.

Sermon preached by Father.M. Devadasu Ayyagaru on March 9, 1958