GIVING YOURSELF FIRST TO THE LORD

GIVING YOURSELF FIRST TO THE LORD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 8:5

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:5
“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

Supporting Texts: Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 12:30; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Description: True Christian giving begins with complete surrender to the Lord, because when we give ourselves to God, our lives, resources, time, and service become available for His purposes.

INTRODUCTION

The Macedonian believers demonstrated a remarkable order of Christian devotion. Before they gave their resources to the work of God, they first gave themselves to the Lord. Paul recognised that their generosity was not simply the result of financial ability but the fruit of complete surrender.

God is not primarily interested in what we can place in an offering basket while keeping our hearts distant from Him. He wants our whole lives. When the heart belongs to God, our possessions, abilities, time, influence, and opportunities are placed under His lordship. True giving therefore begins with personal surrender.

The statement “first gave their own selves to the Lord” reveals the foundation of genuine Christian stewardship. We cannot properly give our possessions to God while refusing to give Him ourselves. When we surrender ourselves to Him, giving becomes an expression of worship, love, obedience, gratitude, and partnership in His kingdom.

1. GOD WANTS US TO GIVE OURSELVES TO HIM FIRST

The Macedonians understood that personal surrender must come before material giving. Their resources followed their hearts because their hearts already belonged to God.

a. God Desires Our Whole Heart (Mark 12:30) — God calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

b. We Belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) — The believer's life is not self-owned; we have been bought with a price and should therefore glorify God.

c. Surrender Is an Act of Worship (Romans 12:1) — Presenting our bodies to God is described as a living sacrifice and reasonable service.

d. God Must Have First Place (Matthew 6:33) — When God's kingdom and righteousness become our priority, other areas of life fall into their proper order.

Biblical Example: Isaiah responded to God's call by surrendering himself and saying, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

2. SURRENDER TO GOD CHANGES OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS POSSESSIONS

When we give ourselves to God, we recognise that our possessions ultimately belong to Him. We become stewards rather than owners who refuse God's direction.

a. God Owns Everything (Psalm 24:1) — The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.

b. We Are Stewards of God's Resources (1 Peter 4:10) — Whatever God places in our hands should be managed faithfully for His purposes.

c. Possessions Must Not Become Our Master (Matthew 6:24) — No believer can serve both God and mammon.

d. Honour God With Your Possessions (Proverbs 3:9) — God should be honoured through the way we handle our material resources.

Biblical Example: Joseph used the resources entrusted to him wisely and faithfully, becoming a steward through whom God preserved many lives (Genesis 41:38-57).

3. SURRENDER INVOLVES TRUSTING GOD COMPLETELY

Giving ourselves to God requires us to trust His wisdom, leadership, and provision. We surrender control because we believe that God's plans are better than ours.

a. Trust God's Direction (Proverbs 3:5-6) — We are called to trust the Lord rather than relying exclusively on our own understanding.

b. Trust God's Provision (Philippians 4:19) — God is able to supply the genuine needs of His people according to His riches in glory.

c. Trust God's Timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11) — God works according to His perfect timing even when we do not immediately understand His processes.

d. Trust God's Plan (Jeremiah 29:11) — God's purposes are directed towards His intended good for His people.

Biblical Example: Abraham trusted God enough to leave his country and follow His direction without knowing the destination (Hebrews 11:8).

4. SURRENDER PRODUCES OBEDIENCE

The Macedonians did not merely make a verbal confession of devotion. Their surrender was demonstrated by obedient action.

a. Love for Christ Produces Obedience (John 14:15) — Jesus connected love for Him with keeping His commandments.

b. Obedience Demonstrates Faith (James 2:17) — Genuine faith produces corresponding action.

c. Obedience Requires Submission (James 4:7) — Submission to God means placing ourselves under His authority.

d. Obedience Brings Blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-2) — Scripture connects attentive obedience with God's covenant blessings.

Biblical Example: Noah demonstrated surrendered obedience by building the ark exactly according to God's instructions despite the unusual nature of the command (Genesis 6:22).

5. SURRENDER CHANGES OUR PRIORITIES

When we give ourselves to the Lord, our priorities change. We begin to value what God values and pursue His purposes above personal ambition.

a. Seek God's Kingdom First (Matthew 6:33) — Kingdom priorities should govern our decisions and ambitions.

b. Set Your Affection on Heavenly Things (Colossians 3:1-2) — Believers are called to direct their minds towards things above.

c. Live for God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) — Everything we do should ultimately bring honour to God.

d. Put God's Will Above Personal Desire (Luke 22:42) — Jesus demonstrated perfect submission by choosing the Father's will above His own.

Biblical Example: Paul surrendered his ambitions and devoted his life to Christ, declaring that he lived by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20).

6. SURRENDER MAKES OUR GIVING ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

The Macedonians' material giving was meaningful because it flowed from personal surrender. God is concerned not only about what we give but about the heart from which we give.

a. Give With the Right Motive (Matthew 6:1-4) — Giving should not be motivated by the desire for human praise.

b. Give Willingly (2 Corinthians 9:7) — God delights in giving that comes freely from the heart.

c. Give With Love (1 Corinthians 13:3) — Material sacrifice without love does not produce the spiritual benefit God desires.

d. Give as Worship (Philippians 4:18) — Giving can become a spiritual sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.

Biblical Example: Abel's offering was accepted because he approached God in faith and gave from a right heart (Hebrews 11:4).

7. SURRENDER MAKES US AVAILABLE FOR GOD'S SERVICE

When we give ourselves to the Lord, He can use our lives, abilities, resources, and experiences for His kingdom.

a. God Uses Willing Vessels (2 Timothy 2:21) — A vessel that is cleansed and available can become useful to the Master.

b. Our Gifts Belong to God's Service (1 Peter 4:10) — Spiritual gifts are entrusted to us for serving others.

c. Our Time Belongs to God (Ephesians 5:15-16) — We should use our time wisely because opportunities for service are limited.

d. Our Strength Should Honour God (Isaiah 40:31) — Those who wait upon the Lord receive renewed strength for their assignment.

Biblical Example: Samuel was dedicated to the Lord from childhood and became a faithful servant and prophet in Israel (1 Samuel 1:24-28; 3:19-21).

8. COMPLETE SURRENDER PRODUCES A LIFE THAT HONOURS GOD

The ultimate evidence that we have given ourselves to God is a life that consistently reflects His character and purposes.

a. Live as a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) — Surrender to Christ produces a transformed identity and way of life.

b. Bear Spiritual Fruit (John 15:5) — A life connected to Christ produces fruit that brings glory to God.

c. Remain Faithful Until the End (Matthew 24:13) — Genuine surrender is demonstrated by perseverance in faith.

d. Let Your Life Glorify God (Matthew 5:16) — Good works should point people towards our heavenly Father.

Biblical Example: Daniel remained devoted to God throughout changing political circumstances and maintained a consistent testimony of faithfulness (Daniel 6:3-5, 10).

CONCLUSION

The Macedonian believers teach us a fundamental principle of Christian stewardship: they first gave themselves to the Lord. Their generosity was the outward expression of an inward surrender. They did not begin with their possessions; they began with their hearts. When the heart belongs to God, our resources, time, gifts, abilities, and service can all become instruments for His kingdom.

Today, God is still calling His people to give themselves to Him first. Before asking what you can give, ask whether you have surrendered yourself. Present your life to God, trust His direction, obey His Word, honour Him with your possessions, and make His kingdom your priority. When you belong completely to the Lord, your life becomes a vessel through which He can bless others and accomplish His purposes.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, I surrender my whole life completely to You, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, take first place in every area of my life, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from anything competing with Your place in my heart, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to trust You completely with my future, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to obey Your Word without reservation, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to use my time, gifts, and resources for Your glory, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make me a vessel that is useful and available for Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let my giving always flow from genuine love and worship, in Jesus name.

9. Father, establish Your kingdom as the highest priority in my life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my entire life bring honour and glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in complete surrender to the Lord, in Jesus name.

2. Nothing shall take God's rightful place in your heart, in Jesus name.

3. You shall receive grace to trust God completely in every season, in Jesus name.

4. Your life shall become a useful vessel in the hands of the Lord, in Jesus name.

5. You shall obey God's Word with faith and consistency, in Jesus name.

6. Your time, gifts, abilities, and resources shall serve God's purposes, in Jesus name.

7. Your priorities shall be aligned with the will and purpose of God, in Jesus name.

8. Your giving shall become an acceptable sacrifice of worship before God, in Jesus name.

9. Your life shall produce lasting spiritual fruit that glorifies God, in Jesus name.

10. You shall fulfil your divine assignment and finish your race faithfully, in Jesus name.