Introduction:
Just
imagine that as we came this morning, the president of the republic, had just
sent a cheque to Mount Zion Boko with no amount. We just need to fill the
amount and we can collect anywhere because there are resources for that. That
is what is called a blank cheque. It is like saying name any amount and it will
be yours.
I have
always been very careful when I have to sign blank cheques. Because what it
means is that, the person with the cheque can collect any sum of money from my
account just by filling it. I have signed blank cheques ones in a Credit union,
but I made sure that we signed an agreement on how and when they can use the
blank cheques.
Another
thing worth noting is that the cheque can only be collected if there are funds
in my account. If there is nothing in the account, you cannot collect anything.
If we heard the president signed a blank cheque for us we would be happy because
we are sure there is provision in the bank for that cheque, but if a poor
farmer gives you a blank cheque you will surely ask questions whether there is
money in the account for it. But today we are talking about a blank cheque from
God. The one who owns all the cattle in the hills, the silver and gold. How
will it sound to you if He gives you a blank cheque?
God has a
blank cheque for us Christians. He did it in the life of King Solomon and He
has promised us today. He is God, He never changes, He remains the same. The
same mighty provider of old is the mighty provider for today.
But How can
we receive God’s blank cheque?
1- You have to please God v1
To please
God you must live a Holy life because God is Holy. Heb 12:14. God was with Solomon, that is why His kingdom was strengthen and God
magnified him exceedingly. God made Solomon Great because He pleased God.
But it had
not yet come to the point of explosion. God had not yet given him a blank
cheque to fill. You may be thinking that you have already reached. But let me
tell you that when God will touch you, what you use to think were blessings
will be incomparable with what you receive from God. He lifts us from Glory to
Glory every time as we trust in Him more.
No one can
give more than God! For one thing: while we were yet sinners He died for us.
2- You have to give in such a way as to
touch the heart of God V2
The Bible
says Solomon gathered the Judges, the governors, the captains, the chief of the
fathers in all their categories to give an offering to the Lord. This man new
the love of God and so was responding to the love that was poured upon Him.
How I wish,
people will gather in groups like that in this church to make a love offering
to the Lord this harvest thanksgiving. Farmers of Mt Zion Boko, Teachers of Mt
Zion Boko, Security officers of Mt Zion Boko, Women of virtue, men of valour,
Zealous youths and Heads of families.
The other time
we were planning for the harvest thanks giving, I said our prayer cells will
have their own day for harvest thanks giving and some of us frowned at me.
But this is
the kind of giving that touches God’s heart. It shows how grateful we are to
God. Solomon brought thousands of burn offerings to God.
If this
morning I came here and found out that there were thousands of birds and
thousands of buckets of food: harvested plantains, cassava, water melon etc for
thanks giving to God. How pleased will God be? Such a giving can only come out
of love not from pressure; not from manipulation but people who know where they
come from. People who know where they are compared to where they were. If you
can realize the love of God; how it was lavished upon us who believe, taking us
from enemies, rebellious people to be called children of God today; members of
God’s house hold.
Two weeks
ago I shared with you how men give generously to their would-be wife. A man
will be willing to give to the father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law
and then empty his pocket for his would-be-wife when he visit them. He may
return home by foot because he even emptied up to his transport fare. But if
you ask him why, he’ll reply “It’s love!” He will not tell you he is
sacrificing neither will he tell you he has been forced or that he fills bad.
No! He will tell you with Joy that he gave all that because he loves the
would-be wife. This is the kind of love God wants us to exercise when we come
to give Him thanks giving. Not sacrificial but graciously.
A pastor
shared with us a story of a woman who harvested corn from her farm and packed
them in groups of 10. One of the group was having only big grains of corn and
she took another group and added to this group of big grains, then carried them
to God for her harvest. That is grace giving!! That was not tithe but grace
giving. Some of us spend our time using mathematics to see what we give to God.
Who can justly calculate this 10%? Many of the Christians today give their 1%
and call it 10% not just because they do not know how to calculate but because
they want to remain in the old way giving rather than moving to the New way as
the New testament teaches us.
Some years
ago a poor widow who had surely nothing to eat, perhaps she left that morning
and only managed to dry clean her only loin with no oil in the house, no
vegetables in the house and rushed to the temple for worship. She did not go to
the temple to worship God because she was blessed with much but just that she
had her life to live. That was enough. When she realized how good God is to her
in giving her life, in giving her salvation despite her poverty, she untie her
loin and dropped her last two little coins in the basket giving her 100% . The
Lord of harvest was there watching! Even though rich people were giving lots of
money into the basket, The Lord who sees the heart was standing beside. He look
at this woman and used her for discipleship lesson. He told his disciples to
learn from this woman. “Look, this woman
has given more than any other person in this place” (Lk 21:1-4) She gave
her all and her heart was lifted with joy. She was not forced but out of Joy
she gave gracefully.
But what happens when we give gracefully to
God?
3- God responds because we cannot out
give God V7
God asked
Solomon in his dream that same night, “Ask
what I shall give you”. Just tell me what I should give you, and all will
be yours. The God who owns all the thousand cows on the mountains, He who owns
everything in the Universe including you and your property. You are just a care
taker.
God gave
Solomon a blank cheque to write on. I do not know what you would have written
if you were in his shoes. Some of us would have asked God to kill all our
enemies. Others will want to have the kind of clothes others have. Hey
women!!!!!
Abraham was
called God’s friend because he gave even the only child God gave him at his old
age. Last week muslims were celebrating the feast of the ram but I wonder if
they really exercise what Abraham did. This man, at 100 yrs was given the lone
child and not long the same giver ask him; Abraham take that child who is so dear
to you, the only son you have whom you have been expecting since and give him
as a sacrifice to me. The Bible says nothing and I’m sure Abraham did not tell
his wife about the request. He took Isaac and wood to the hill. I can see the
child asking Dad, we have the wood, we have the knife but where is the ram?
Abraham says; son, God will provide! There at the hill he takes the sons hands
and tie, and the son tells him Dad, tie my legs well so that I will not shake
when you cut my throat.
Is some one
understanding? Some 2000 yrs ago the son of man did the same on the cross of
calvary for you and for me. The Father said I love these people whom I created
with my own hands but they sinned. I want to sacrifice you for their sins and
the son willingly went to the cross to give us life. The Bible says He was
humble and He humbled himself even unto death. All these because he loves you
and me. Do you understand why you should be grateful? What can you give to God
that will pay what he did for your life?
Abraham did
not pay for any Ram for sacrifice. When he carried his knife up to kill his son
because He knew the God He was serving, the voice came from heaven. Do not lay
your hand on the child Abraham, look beside you there is a Ram for your
sacrifice. The angel of God told him, now I know that you fear God Gen 22:12.
The second time the angel gave him the word of God in Gen 22:16-18. Because you
have done this to me, in blessing, I will bless you, in multiplying I will
multiply you… Abraham gave his dearest thing to God and God gave him a blank
cheque.
4- God still gives blank cheques John
14:14; 2 Chr1:V 11-12
If you ask
anything in the name of Jesus, He says he will do it for you. But there is a
condition. He was saying this to his followers. To people who have accepted Him
as Lord and savior and who are doing his will. The first thing is to be
transformed, and as a Christian love God with all your heart because God first
loved us. John 3:16. “For God so loved
the world that he gave…” If you are a true child of God, you will love Him
and you will give for his ministry and missions happily not grudgingly.
You will
not be waiting for people to create opportunities for you to give but you will
find opportunities to show love because of what God has done in your life. You
will give like the poor widow who emptied her all. You will not rely on your mathematical
formula of what percentage do I have to give, but you will give graciously.
Then when
you shall ask God, He will give you everything you ask. You see Solomon did not
ask God for money but God gave him wealth. He asked for God to empower him so
that he can serve his people. Out of wisdom, God gave him wealth. He did not
ask for God to kill his enemies. Do you ask God to bless you so that you can be
a blessing? Or you ask God so that you can compare with others? Have you given
your life to Christ? If not, you have not yet reached the point to give in a
way that will touch God’s heart because it starts by giving yourself to God
through Christ. Then you can be expecting a blank cheque from the one who owns
everything in the universe. The goodnews is that you still have an opportunity
now that you are living. Hurry now that is day because the night is soon coming
when you will have no chance. You can only touch Gods heart if you first give
your life to Christ. I do not want you to give your offering in the basket if
you have not yet accepted Christ in your life. It is of no use receiving your
money. It will do no change in your life. I want you to bow down your head and
think about your relationship with God. Ask him to forgive you, recognize how
sinful you are, ask Jesus to come into your life. Tell somebody about what you
have just done. Christ will bring you liberty in everything even in your
giving! Shalom!
