Never Appear Before a King Empty-Handed: 7 Reasons We Give

Sermon outline

Because church is coming before the King of kings, our tithes and offerings are royal protocol, worship, thanksgiving and an acknowledgement that He owns everything, and a worthy gift attracts His favour.

1. Royal protocol requires a gift when visiting a king

   When we gather in His name we appear before the King, and you never appear before a king empty-handed: that is why the Queen of Sheba brought lavish gifts to Solomon, who was richer than she was. God told Israel that none should appear before Him empty, and the tithe is the starting point, with praise, thanksgiving and worship. Prepare your gift during the week, prayed over and in an envelope, because here men receive tithes but in heaven Jesus receives them.

   Illustration: He stands up and places his own offering in the basket respectfully, because he is presenting it to the King of kings, not to a person or an institution.

   “In other words, you never appeared before a king empty-handed.”

   • Matthew 18:20
   • 1 Kings 10:1-10
   • Hebrews 7:8
   • Exodus 34:20
   • Malachi 3:8-9

2. The gift must be fitting for the King

   Soon after he came to Christ from another religion, he put loose change in the offering and heard the Lord ask, 'Is that all you think of me?', and he vowed never to give change again. All his shouting in prayer changed nothing, but when he began sowing seed his finances changed. What holds people back from giving is fear of lack, and giving liberally tramples on the spirit of fear.

   Illustration: Asked to take the offering at a large church in Johannesburg, he found the anointing falling as he spoke; people ran to the front and gave until helpers had to use a plastic rake to gather the offering, like Israel giving until Moses had to stop them.

   “So when you give to the Lord, you're never a loser. You're always a winner.”

   • Mark 4:20
   • 2 Timothy 1:7
   • Exodus 36:5-7

3. The gift reveals our value and worship of the King

   The way we give reveals how much we value Him. Don't confuse intimacy with God, which is loving Him, praying and sensing His presence, with the principles of God, which we must learn and put into action, because faith without works is dead. Quality does not have to mean expensive, but it does mean offering our very best.

   Illustration: When the church was under pressure to pay a deposit on a building, God told him to sow a seed. He took it unannounced to a pastor about to preach, and that Friday a businessman from outside the church offered him the deposit as a gift, not a loan. 'Whenever you have a need, God will speak to you about a seed.'

   “Whenever you have a need, God will speak to you about a seed.”

   • James 2:20

4. Worship demands a gift and giving is worship

   Worship is not only singing and lifting hands; giving tithes and offerings is also worship, because He is worthy. The Magi bowed and worshipped the child Jesus, then opened their treasures and gave gold, incense and myrrh. The gift may be praise, thanksgiving, confession, surrender, forgiveness or an obedient heart, and it also includes money.

   “There is no genuine worship without the gift of giving.”

   • Matthew 2:11

5. Giving to the King attracts His favour

   If you want God's favour and blessing, be a giver; God wants to bless you, your business, your workplace and your children. Kings are drawn to people who give with a willing and grateful spirit, and a gift opens a way for the giver into the presence of the great. Give with expectation, but with no strings attached, simply because you love Him.

   “Those who know the protocol of giving gain access to the throne room, while those who do not remain standing outside the gate.”

   • Isaiah 1:19
   • Proverbs 18:16
   • Matthew 10:41-42

6. Giving to the King acknowledges His ownership of everything

   Kings are also lords who own everything in their domain, so giving is simply returning what is already His. In the kingdom we are always stewards and never owners, and God keeps giving to good stewards. Israel gave the firstborn as well as the tithe, and kingdom citizens should still tithe regularly as an act of faith and worship.

   “You are never owners. You are only stewards.”

7. Giving to the King is thanksgiving

   One of the best ways to express gratitude is with a gift; turn the word around and thanksgiving becomes the giving of thanks. Because we are made in God's image, God also delights to be appreciated, so our giving thanks Him from a sincere heart for His blessing, kindness and favour.

   Illustration: You can't keep telling your wife you love her and never buy her anything, and wives can't keep telling their husbands they love them and never feed them.

   “One of the best ways to express gratitude is with a gift.”

   • Genesis 1:26