The Best Offering

Scripture

Genesis 4:2-7

When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

WHAT IS THE “EXPANSION OFFERING”?

Our Year-End Offering is dedicated to reaching more people with the gospel through the growth and expansion of our church.

The Year-End giving option is our end of the year offering that is used to fund the expansion of the church through building acquisition, technology improvements, and other ways of growing Legacy.

Last year we came around the word the “Multiplied”. We saw God do some incredible things this year and people came to know Christ and made Legacy their home church because of that offering.

This year we are believing that God is giving each of us “A Heart For The House” - His house, that is. We are giving together to stretch our faith by giving above and beyond in support of all we’re believing God for in this next season. And this year, we’re believing for some big things, starting with a building.

This is more than a sermon series on giving, its a life lesson on generosity.

The Best Offering

1) God doesn’t need my offering, just ask Cain.

There is no inflation in Heaven, there is no recession in Heaven.

Cain gave some, Able gave his best.

Giving some will lead to self-righteousness and doesn’t move God.

Giving our best leads to a deep dependence on God’s provision.

Abel gave the best of the lambs but Cain gave the leftovers, maybe some slightly less that desirable fruits and veggies.

-Never put on altar what belongs in the compost pile.

God has never asked for an offering because He needed it. He asks for them because we need it.

Our offering reminds us that money is a tool to do good and not a god to worship.

2) God is looking at my heart, just ask Able.

Able gave the best. The best is not all.

God is not demanding all, but he expects our best. Our best is obedience to His voice.

John 2:5

John 2:5 NLT

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Generosity builds a barrier between me and greed.

When I truly give it is teaching me to master my money so I’m not mastered by money.

Vs 7 “Sin is crouching” - it is lurking waiting to rule you, control you and master you.

When I give I prove that I love God and use money, not the other way around.

-I don’t love money and use God to get more of what I love, I love God and I use money to honor God, serve God, to build the house of God, to expand the Kingdom of God, and to bless the people of God.

This only happens when I do my best.

Generosity leads to blessing. There is a prosperity of the world but it always leads to heartache and greed and destruction. but Proverbs tells us:

Proverbs 10:22

New Living Translation Proverbs 10:22

22 The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich,

and he adds no sorrow with it.

3) You cannot separate yourself from your offering, just ask God.

God accepted Abel AND his offering. God rejected Cain AND his offering.

There will be this moment at one point in your life where God will accept your gift. I want Him to accept my gift. But it must be my best.

God always leads by example.

-How does God know that I love him? By my gift.

-How do I know God loves me? By His gift. 

John 3:16

John 3:16 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God loved, so He gave His ONLY (best, most important) Son.

God never said, “I love you but I’m never going to show you”

Why do I give to God? I give to God out of response to what He’s already given me.

Hebrews 11:4

Hebrews 11:4 NLT

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

Cain’s offering was not by faith, Abel’s was. God honors faith.

If you’ll hear God on this offering, it WILL require faith.

-Brittany at the dinner table.

Abel’s offering gave evidence. Our offering is evidence (to God and future generations).

Matthew 6:21

Matthew 6:21 NLT

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

God is not looking for some of your crops or the sum of your gifts. He’s looking for your best. He deserves that much.

The best offering isn’t an amount, it’s obedience to His voice.

This is a heart thing! And the greatest part is if we haven’t met the standard of giving our best, we can start today. God asked Cain, why do you look sad? If you’ll do what’s right, you’ll be accepted!

Raise your hand if you’ve been here less than a year. You’re here because someone gave in this offering and was faithful in their tithe last year.