Why It Is Good
To Give Gifts To Ministers Of God

Many blessings follow the cheerful giver.
But, shortage is the portion of those who hate to give.

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze

1. The gifts belong to God.
   
   15 Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "Please let us detain You, and we will prepare a young goat for You."
   16 And the Angel of the LORD said to Manoah, "Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD." (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.) Judges 13:15,16
   


2. Acceptance of a gift brings blessings to the giver.
   More especially when the gift is to a minister of God.
   


3. Acceptance means the giver has found favour with God.
   19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on — 20 it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar — the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! Judges 13:19,20
   


4. It is God’s way of prospering His ministers. The rise of Joseph and Daniel serve as examples.
   37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?"
   39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
   42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." Genesis 41:37-45
   
   Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel 1:8-9
   
   46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel , and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret." 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:46-48
   


5. It is an opportunity to extend blessings of God to others. If you do not need the gift, accept it a nd then give it to those who need it.
   
   49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he (the king) set (promoted) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. Daniel 2: 49
   


6. God will make nations come with gifts, as He said in the Bible.
   
   5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
   And your heart shall swell with joy;
   Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
   The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. Isaiah 60:5
   
   11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
   They shall not be shut day or night,
   That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
   And their kings in procession. Isaiah 60:11
   


7. The gift is an honour to the Lord.
   
   10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11
   


8. It is sign that God has blessed you with exaltation.
   
   9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me;
   And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
   To bring your sons from afar,
   Their silver and their gold with them,
   To the name of the LORD your God,
   And to the Holy One of Israel,
   Because He has glorified you. Isaiah 60:9
   
   12 And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
   The rich among the people will seek your favor.
   Psalms 45:12
   


9. Receiving gifts makes people to be joyful, which is the work of the Holy Spirit.
   
   


10. It is a way by which God provides for His ministers.
    
    Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 10 "Receive the gift from the captives — from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon — and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying:
    
    "Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!
    From His place He shall branch out,
    And He shall build the temple of the LORD;
    13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD.
    He shall bear the glory,
    And shall sit and rule on His throne;
    So He shall be a priest on His throne,
    And the counsel of peace shall be between them both."' Zechariah 6:13
    
    5 Now while Jeremiah had not yet gone back, Nebuzaradan said, "Go back to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever it seems convenient for you to go." So the captain of the guard gave him rations and a gift and let him go. Jeremiah 40:5-6
    
    

1. Gifts rejected by God.
2. Stolen gifts.
3. The last kobo, if you know about it.
4. Gifts given with pride.
5. Gifts given out of competition.
6. Gifts from pagans, idols and witches.
7. Gifts from marine kingdom.
8. Demonic gifts.
9. Gifts given with anger, regret or curses.
10. Gifts from a wicked person.
11. Gifts from a malicious heart.