Dear brethren, I warmly welcome you as we reflect on one of the most powerful narratives in
Scripture—the story of Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 22. This story is could be misconstrued as promoting human sacrifice, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Instead, it reveals deep spiritual principles about sacrificial giving, obedience, and trust in
God.
God asked Abraham to offer Isaac—not to receive death, but to reveal Abraham’s heart. And
in doing so, He provided a ram—just as He would one day provide His own Son, Jesus
Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins.
Today, we draw lessons from this story on why we give, what we give, how and where to
give, and the spiritual blessings tied to giving.
- Why Give? – Because We Are Blessed
Genesis 22:2 – “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much…”
God asked Abraham to offer what he already had. This tells us that giving flows from the
abundance or provision we already possess. We give because God has already blessed
us.
Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Giving is a heart matter. If we treasure God, we joyfully give to Him. - What to Give? – What is Dearest to You
Genesis 22:2 – “Take your son, your only son…”
Abraham was asked to give his most precious possession—his son. God desires that we
give what costs us something.
In today’s terms, we may say, “You paid dearly.” In French, the word for “expensive” is “cher”
which also means “dear.” Giving should reflect that which is cherished and significant to us. - How to Give? – With Preparation and Intention
Genesis 22:3 & 6 –
“The next morning Abraham got up early…”
“Abraham placed the wood… while he carried the fire and the knife…”
Abraham prepared everything meticulously. He did not offer casually but intentionally and
reverently. This is a lesson for us: don’t give carelessly—prepare your offering, whether
physical or spiritual, with prayerful thought. - Where to Give? – At God’s Appointed Place
Genesis 22:9 – “When they arrived at the place God had told him…”
Abraham offered Isaac at the altar God designated. Today, we don’t build physical altars, but
we offer in the house of God, among His people.
Malachi 3:10 instructs us to bring the tithe into the storehouse—this is the sanctuary or local
church.
- Is Giving in Vain? – No, It’s an Expression of Faith
Genesis 22:8 – “God will provide…”
Abraham believed that even if he offered Isaac, God would provide or even raise him. He
acted in faith. When we give, we are trusting that God is our source and provider.
Leviticus 27:30 – “A tithe… belongs to the LORD; it is holy.”
We pay tithe because it is a command, but we give offerings because we love and honor
God. - Giving Attracts Blessing
Proverbs 22:9 – “The generous will themselves be blessed…”
Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Giving is not loss—it’s sowing. What you release to God never leaves your life; it becomes
seed for your future. - Giving Makes Us Like God
John 3:16 – “For God so loved… that He gave His only Son…”
1 Timothy 6:18-19 – “Be generous and willing to share…”
God is a giver. When we give, we reflect His nature. We invest in eternity and lay up
treasures in heaven.
Beloved, giving is more than a religious act—it is an expression of love, trust, and worship.
Like Abraham, we must be willing to surrender what is dearest to us, trusting that God will
provide. Let us give from a heart of gratitude and reverence, knowing that it brings us closer
to God, blesses others, and sets us up for His divine provision.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of Abraham and the powerful lesson in Genesis 22. Help us
to walk in obedience, to give joyfully, and to trust fully in Your provision. Teach us to prepare
our offerings with intention and to offer what is dear to us in faith. May our giving be a
reflection of our love for You and a testimony of Your goodness in our lives.
Be Blessed!
Elias Mchogori
Amen…very profound. It is required of us to give good gifts to the Lord. Not the left overs.
Good morning .
This is really thought provoking, insightful and enlightening all rolled up in seven lessons.
Thank you Pastors Elias.
Now weigh in on the Ideal of personal choice to give – when you give by the right hand the left should not Know! Do you think Abraham informed Sarah about God’s instruction? If he did not inform the wife, what challenge/obstacle would he have faced?
Anyway a very thought provoking articles.
Much blessings
Amen.Thanks Pst Elias for the blogs,there are such a blessing to me.Gives me a different spiritual eye of seeing spiritual things.This is a confirmation of what we were taught few weeks ago during ladies conference that ‘we should not do the things of God casually like coming before Him,praying,serving,reading the word and now that l shouldn’t give casually. I must give to God what is dearest to me.