Bible Sermon on offerings and giving

Bible Sermon on offerings and giving

Posted on May 26, 2016 Updated on May 26, 2016

Exodus 23 vs. 15 – Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

1. Several years ago, I escorted my mum to visit a King, one of the traditional rulers in a neighboring community, to seek a favour.
2. On our way to the King’s palace, my mum reminded me that we have to take a gift along for the King; as it is against the local customs and tradition to visit the King empty handed.
3. As a result, we purchased a bottle of wine which we presented to the King in his palace.
4. Noteworthy, the King collected our gift, promised to grant our requests, but never did.

What lessons can we learn from this story?

1. If local custom and tradition forbids appearance before an earthly King empty handed, how are we appearing before the King of kings? How serious do we take the biblical injunction in Exodus 23 vs. 15 that we should not appear before God empty handed?
2. The King that my mum and I gave a gift few years ago, (because we wanted a favour) died last year without fulfilling his promise to us, but we have a King of Kings who keeps promises and lives King forever.

Babatope Babalobi +2348035897435 babalobi@yahoo.com