A blank cheque from God (2 Chronicles 1 :1-12)

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!