Our Memorial Offering to God

May 10

(Acts 10:3-4 NIV) ““One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" {4} Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.””

(2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NIV) ““Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. {8} And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. {9} As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.””

(Revelation 5:6-8 NIV) “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. {7} He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. {8} And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

The wise Christian thinks of eternity daily, for we live with one foot on Earth and the other in Heaven. We consider our earthly legacy, but more importantly, we are mindful of our eternal legacy. We consider what is of worth in God’s sight and how God will remember us. Scripture lists at least two things that constitute the kind of memorial noticed by God -- our prayers and our giving to the poor. The time we spend with God because of our love for Him, and what we give away to help others, are like putting our best foot forward into heaven. God noticed these two things about Cornelius. When done with the right heart today, these two things still rise like incense to Heaven as a pleasing aroma before the Lord. How are you doing in these two areas? Do you pray because you love God? Is your giving to the poor memorable? Intimate prayer and generous giving still please God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day