Psalm 34:1
I will bless The Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth…
• DAILY READING – 2 John 1; Ezra 5-6; Psalm 93
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John D Rockefeller was arguably the greatest businessman of all times. At one point in his life his net worth was estimated to be the largest in world history. Much of his wealth was derived from Standard Oil, which at its height, controlled 90% of the US oil refining market. Meanwhile, Rockefeller was a very committed Christian. He attended church every Sunday as well as prayer meetings on Friday nights for his entire adult life.
Even from an early age, Rockefeller felt the Lord had called him to be a great steward over wealth. Despite how little his initial income was, he began tithing from the very first paycheck he earned at his very first job. And he never stopped that practice for the rest of his life. At age 21, he spearheaded a fund raising campaign that collected $2,000 and helped save his church from going to foreclosure. Later on, John began to broaden his giving outside of just the church. By age 27, he became the controlling owner of the largest oil refinery in Cleveland. The company that would later become the massive conglomerate Standard Oil, which held a mammoth oil monopoly, and produced more profits than any other American business had done before.
By age 55, Rockefeller retired from active business, using the next 42 years of his life to distribute his great wealth to the betterment of society. Rockefeller would go on to give away $530 million dollars which is nearly $7 billion in today’s money. He saw giving as vital part of his service to God. He would go on to live to a ripe old age of 97.
And even today, his descendants continue his giving lifestyle, the Rockefeller family’s financial worth runs into billions of dollars and many of the family members are active in philanthropy.
Nothing commands a dramatic turnaround like sacrificial giving. Though it wasn’t easy for Rockefeller to give sacrificially from his first meager paycheck, but through maintaining a lifestyle of giving God has made him a trans-generational blessing.
Psalm 126:5-6 says ‘ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’
However, for our sacrifices to be acceptable unto God, it must be love-motivated.
1 Kings 3:3-5 records that King Solomon loved The Lord, and he worshipped God by offering a thousand burnt offerings on the altar at Gibeon. And that very night, in Gibeon, The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.’
God made him wiser and richer than all the men in his days. When we truly love God we are bound to give to Him. The truth is that you can’t love without giving. Our giving is our worship to God. In Philippians 4:18, God viewed the offering of the Philippian saints as “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God”.
Our giving is an expression of our love to God. When we give to God, we express our appreciation to Him for all the ways He has blessed us. ‘Thanks” and “giving” go together. Indeed giving to God is the heart of worship.
Therefore today, let us bless The Lord at all times and never forget His benefits. Indeed God is good all the time.
PRAYER: Father, I just want to thank and appreciate You today for all Your goodness towards me and my family. Thank You so much Lord for Your faithfulness in my life, indeed You are good and your mercy endures forever.
QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]