Deuteronomy 16:17 | The Institute for Creation Research

 
Deuteronomy 16:17
 

Giving as we are able . . . what a wonderfully freeing thought. No heavy-handed, guilt-riddled arm twisting . . . but giving as we are able. Notice, however, that even as we are "freed" we are compelled. We see that, "Every man shall give [emphasis added]." But, even as we must give, nowhere in Scripture do we see God extracting gifts from unwilling hearts; we all know that quite the opposite is true. God wants gifts from joyful hearts (II Corinthians 9:7). He knows that we will have joyful hearts as we realize that all we have and are has come "according to the blessing of the LORD (our) God" (text).

It seems to me, then, that one of God's tests of our hearts is in how and what we give from what He has given us. Many of us pass that test well as we give a portion of His blessing that has come through wages, salaries, bonuses—even an inheritance. But, how well are we giving from the "blessing" evident in the phenomenal growth of assets that many of us have experienced these past years as the stock market has "soared"? (Keep in mind "soaring" of Proverbs 23:5.)

It is my experience that God's faithful have no trouble gifting a portion of His blessing when they sell an appreciated asset, but what about the growth that is not sold? Does God's blessing become His provision when we decide to use it, or as He provides the increase?

If you are among those who have seen your riches increase, and have yet to demonstrate your thankfulness to God for His blessing, won't you consider doing so now?

Anticipating that there are many readers who would be interested, we have prepared and inserted a brochure with this month's Acts & Facts. We hope you will find it helpful. If you have questions, please call or write.

Cite this article: Tom Manning. 1999. Deuteronomy 16:17. Acts & Facts. 28 (10).

The Latest
NEWS
''73-Million-Year-Old'' Alaskan Salmon
Fish evolution remains an enigma. Evolutionists can only say fish first “appeared” over a half-billion years ago.1 Creationists...

NEWS
God's Memorial Day
“And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of...

NEWS
How Did Earth Get Its Water?
Earth’s oceans contain 321 million cubic miles (1.335 billion cubic kilometers) of water. The moon causes ebb and flow of tides twice in a 24-hour...

NEWS
The Origin of Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes are multicellular organisms that contain diverse differentiated cell types. Within almost every cell there are subcellular compartments called...

CREATION PODCAST
Water vs. Wind: The Controversial Coconino | The Creation Podcast:...
Welcome to the sixth episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit old...

NEWS
Fossil Fish Finally Filmed
The bizarre lobe-finned coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) “that flourished some 350 million years ago”1 continues to be a thorn...

NEWS
The Mosasaur: A Giant Sea Dragon
Mosasaurs (order Squamata) were massive marine lizards that were common in the pre-Flood oceans. Therefore, it is not surprising that their fossils...

DAYS OF PRAISE DEVOTIONALS
Summer 2025
...

NEWS
Was Life Detected on a Distant Planet?
There was celebration, albeit briefly, for the discovery of potential life on a planet called K2-18b, which is 124 lightyears away from Earth. The...

NEWS
Ichthyosaur Graveyard Explained by the Flood
Ichthyosaurs are marine reptiles that occur globally in the same rock layers as dinosaurs. Specimens with babies support the idea that they gave live...