Leviticus 27:28 -Cheerful Giving

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

Today, the Holy Spirit woke me with the word devotion in my heart.

Before I got up, I wondered where my prayer practice would lead today. I consider myself pretty devoted to my commitments, but as usual, the Holy Spirit gave me some advice on living a life of deeper devotion.

I was led to Leviticus 27:28. No matter how much I try to avoid it due to the patience it requires to read, God is calling me to circle that mountain one more time this morning.

Well, friends, here we are. Let's go!

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Leviticus 27:28 - Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• No Devoted Offering

• To The LORD

• Shall Be

• Redeemed

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence(s) placed upon my heart:

• Jennifer, no devoted offering to the LORD shall be redeemed.

Step 4: Visualize

I think about everything I offer up in a day to the LORD, prompting me to ponder how much I do not truly offer up and surrender.

The Holy Spirit helps me examine my words and prayer life further.

When I begin to pray, am I starting from a posture of complete surrender, or am I checking in with God and going along my merry way each day. Am I only handing over my problems or anguish to God when I pray? What conversation am I bringing to the table? What am I handing over to God that is highly valuable to me every day, giving my best to him first?

I am a tither, so I understand the principle of tithing and always give ten percent of my income or first fruits, but what other areas am I offering up a portion of everything I have to the LORD that cannot be redeemed? What am I giving God without expecting him to multiply?

The question that the Holy Spirit wants me to examine closely is, "Do we give enough to God without expectation of him returning the favor?"

Another thought comes to mind: the phrase from Luke 12:48, "To whom much is given, much is required."

Holy Spirit is showing me this implies the giver is always giving, but can we handle the load we are given? Do we understand that God continues to give with nothing in return, even when we have not asked?

If I switch my perspective and understand that everything I have is given to me, it becomes effortless to give a portion back in gratitude to the LORD without expecting more. This includes my family, husband, and children, who all belong to God.

Going forward, let this be a lesson on how we can be more cheerful givers, whether it is time, money, or anything else we hold of high value that has been given to us. Let us start to give simply just to give back to the one who constantly gives to us, even if we don't get anything in return.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The words that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, what can I give or devote more to God to express my gratitude for everything he has given me?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

"Your time has been well received as you spend your morning in his word. It is something you give eagerly and cannot get back. As you look around today, notice how much he continues to give without you asking. See and feel how much the Father loves you. You cannot comprehend how pleased he is at the mere fact you want to spend time with him, as any Father would be. If you notice how he loves, has, and continues to love you without expectations or receiving anything in return, you can begin to feel his love as intended. When you understand how intentional his love is for you and how massively you are loved, you will long for more of his time rather than focus on the expectation of him returning something in the flesh. As you learn his love, you can love others this same way, giving beyond comprehension and with nothing in return. Change your relationship with your Heavenly Father from transactional to relational. Therein lies true happiness and peace."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Father, God, thank you for your wisdom today through the Holy Spirit. I want a relationship with you, not an exchange where I barter with you every day. Help me identify areas where I can give more to you as a compliment to what you have entrusted into my hands. Open my eyes to all the ways you are communing with me, and help me be a better daughter to you. I ask this in Jesus's Mighty Name—Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, let's take a moment to think about the areas that are valuable to us and may have a bit of a stronghold on our giving nature, and let's release the best of the best to God.

Let's grow into mature givers, giving to the giver just to feel the joy of giving without a request or exchanging something in return.

Let us not focus on what we lack; instead, we should focus on whether or not we are capable of him entrusting us with his treasures, giving back what is already rightfully his to begin with.

Remember, he has loved you and continues loving you as long as you let him. If that isn't worth being cheerful about, I don't know what is!

Until tomorrow, friends!