Scripture Reference: Genesis 28:10-22
The House of God Is a Place Where Vows Are Made
At Bethel, Jacob vowed a vow to God. That is certainly an important part of coming to the house of God. Jacob’s vow is one that each of us should consider making: “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.’”
In many of our churches, this passage of Scripture reinforces the importance of calling for a response to the gospel. In a sense the most important moment in any service comes when the invitation is extended for people to come and make definite commitments to God. That is the time when every one of us ought to be praying regarding what God would have us to do. During those moments, souls are moved to trust Christ as Savior. People come to unite with the church. Others rededicate their lives in repentance to God. During the invitation, many people who do not come forward publicly do make vows privately in their hearts. That’s what the church is supposed to be, a place where you and I make vows to God.
When you come to church, do you make vows to God? It is important that we tell God what we intend to do. I think it is critical we commit to God that we will seek to do certain things to honor His name. Are you willing to give liberally to God of your time and finances, your life’s resources? Jacob made a vow to do just that.
Actually, when people give liberally and joyfully of their resources, what they are doing is giving a part of themselves to God. Jacob offered to give a tithe which represents one tenth of his increase or resources. It was common practice from the time of Abraham with Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:17-20) through the Old Covenant of the Law to give a tenth. Luke tells us that Jesus stressed giving in this way, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
The Apostle Paul was very adamant in the way that in this Age of Grace, we should be giving:
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
This means that God is a vital part of everything we do, whether it be with our finances or time. Serving God, being surrendered to Jesus is a lifestyle change from the way the world does things. Our lives belong to Him, thus all we are and have is His by right from the onset. We are no longer in a legal contract with God Almighty, but through Christ Jesus, our contract is one of surrender through grace and mercy.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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