SOUL AS AN OFFERING (1)
Main Text: Romans 15:16 “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”
Beloveds, welcome to a new series of Kingdom Matters Devotional titled “Soul as an Offering.” I pray that, as you journey with me through this series, the Holy Spirit will deepen your understanding of true Kingdom worship and transform your perspective on what God values most.
One of the most misunderstood subjects in the Church today is the subject of offering. For many believers, the word immediately brings one thought to mind, money. Consequently, some feel embarrassed when they have little or nothing to place in the offering basket, while others measure their devotion by the size of their financial gifts. Yet, throughout the Bible, God receives many kinds of offerings. For example, your praise is an offering, thanksgiving is an offering, prayers rise before Him as an offering. Your worship, obedience, service, generosity, and acts of love are all expressions of worship that honor His name. These offerings are precious to God. Yet there is one offering that carries eternal significance because it touches the very purpose for which Christ came into the world and that is the offering of souls.
Kindly read our main text for this edition and you will discover that Apostle Paul viewed his ministry as a priest presenting an offering before God. But the offering he spoke of was not silver, gold, or material possessions. It was people. In other words, every Gentile brought to faith in Christ became an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit and presented to God through the preaching of the Gospel. It means that Heaven’s greatest treasure is not what you place in God’s hand, but the lives you bring into His Kingdom. Sadly, many believers faithfully give their financial offerings every week, yet seldom consider whether they are bringing souls to Christ. Frankly, financial giving advances God’s work, but it is soul winning that fulfills God’s mission. Money helps build ministries, but it is souls that populate the Kingdom. In essence, one is temporal, while the other has eternal value. This is why Jesus declared that there is joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). Truly, nothing delights the Father’s heart more than seeing lost men and women reconciled to Him.
Friends, imagine arriving before God after years of faithful church attendance. You sang with passion, worshipped sincerely, gave generously, and served diligently. But when Heaven asked, “Where are the souls I entrusted to your influence?” what answer would you give? This is not a question reserved for pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. It is a question for every believer because every child of God has been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Every believer is called to point someone to Christ and every Christian has the privilege of presenting souls as an offering that brings delight to the Father’s heart.
Therefore, as we begin this series, ask God to place His burden upon your heart. Pray for the lost, share the Gospel with courage, invite someone to worship, disciple new believers, encourage those who have grown weary and make soul winning a lifestyle rather than an occasional activity. For when a sinner is saved, Heaven rejoices, Christ is glorified, and an eternal offering is presented before God. Don’t forget, the greatest offering is not measured by its monetary value but by its eternal impact. Gold and silver will one day pass away, but every soul won for Christ will remain forever. May the Lord deliver us from reducing offering to financial giving alone and awaken in us a passion for presenting lives transformed by the Gospel.
Prayer Points
- My Father and my God, give me a heart that values what You value most.
- Lord, deliver me from a narrow understanding of offering and reveal Your burden for souls.
- Father, fill me with compassion for the lost and boldness to share the Gospel.
- Lord, make me a faithful laborer in Your harvest and a fruitful witness wherever I go.
- Father, let my life continually present acceptable offerings through souls won and lives transformed for Your glory.
Daily Reflection
If God evaluated your offerings today, would He see only what you have given or also the lives you have helped bring into His Kingdom?