DECEMBER 29

GIVING BUILDS A MEMORIAL BEFORE GOD

ACTS 10:4

^“And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” (Acts 10:4)

Cornelius was “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2). Here was a Gentile “doing the stuff.” He was a man who loved God, was a big giver, and was always praying. Cornelius wasn’t doing any of these things trying to “buy” God, but was simply planting seeds the whole time. It’s obvious he wasn’t giving to selfishly get, because he was surprised when the angel appeared to him. His prayers and generosity were building a memorial before a loving, all-sustaining God. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Prov. 19:17). If you put your money in a bank, it’ll only gain a small amount of interest. When you’re generous to help those in need, God will repay you far more than any bank could!

Because he put God first with his heart, life, and substance, the Lord sent him a divine connection – a divine appointment. This man, Cornelius, went on to be part of the first New Testament Gentile revival! He and the others with him heard the glorious Gospel, were saved, and filled with the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!

Every time you are generous to give, every time you humble yourself, every time you honor the Lord with everything you have, you are sowing seed for revival in your life and the lives of everyone around you. You are raising up a memorial to Almighty God. Like Cornelius, when you honor the Lord with a right heart, He’ll prosper you! (BN)