During my National Youth Service that year, I received a huge alert from a fund I was highly anticipating. Immediately the alert dropped, I got talking with someone, and the Lord said to me, “give that money to this person…” It was tough but I knew I had heard the Lord. I responded to that demand.
Friend, God still makes demands on people today. Don’t ever think that “sacrifice your son, your only son, Isaac”, ended with Abraham. No, he only showed us that God does makes demands (Genesis 22:1-3, Romans 4:12). A dear mother in the faith once shared with us that the day she managed to save up to a million naira and was very excited, the same day God told her, “sow that million as a seed.” She obeyed and her finance never remained the same.
God still makes demands on people today. Sometimes, it would require you to break your Alabaster box of very costly perfume (Mark 14:3). It would cause you to drop your “widow’s mite” (Mark 12:42-44), or lay down your last meal (1 Kings 17:8-16). At times, it would be your “tear rubber” car that He wants (Matthew 21:1-3). For Abraham, it was the Isaac he had waited for, for years that God demanded (Genesis 22:2).
Why does God deserves and demands the best? He is a big God. Nothing is too much for Him to demand. He has also given us His best in Christ (Romans 8:32). This is why, like David, we must not give to God that which costs us nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). God wants to deal with our attachments to things; what we possess must not possess us. He wants us to shift our focus from the gift to the Giver (John 3:27, James 1:17).
God makes demands on us because He has something more for us. When you think that Isaac is your best, He wants to show you that the nations are your inheritance, but until you let go of Isaac, you cannot father nations (Genesis 12:2-3, 22:15-18). The supply of God will always be more than His demands. God cannot ask you for anything if He does not have more in store for you. You cannot out give God (Ephesians 3:20).
Giving is more than releasing your money or substance, it is a work of faith that God wants to accomplish in your life. God wants to take you on a journey of maturity (2 Corinthians 9:8-15). This is why after every giving experience, something shifts on your inside and in your destiny. This year, relate with God beyond just being a Blesser, see Him as the God who makes demands too. You will succeed! Amen!
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria
