The Mirror of Giving.

Mirrors are wonderful tools of visual self analysis. They allow us an opportunity to see ourselves from the perspective from which others see us. That imaginery has guided my thoughts regarding the message that God has given me regarding offertory giving. I am convinced that scriptual guidance regarding giving and the opportunities to give present to us mirrors in which we can get of glimpse of ourselves in the eyes God. Often we respond by diverting our attention away from ourselves. We questions the interpretation of reference scriptures, the motives of those making offertory appeals, the spending choices of local church leadership, the spiritual and moral integrity of anyone and everyone else, etc. Yet, if we stop our diversionary tactics, we will find that our questions and attitudes reflect on our feelings about and commitment to the Lord. Christian gifts are always given first and foremost unto the Lord. When we lose focus on that we have lost focus. As Jesus reminds us , what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we actually do to Him. Whether we clearly see our giving as unto to the Lord or fix our eyes on the human beneficiaries of our giving, the reality is that our giving is all about Him. As we look closely in the mirror and remove the makeup and the pretense we uncover our real selves and we can see our motives and intentions as He sees them.