Daily Bread - Dec 9 2006
Acts 10:4 - "And he stared at him in fear and said, 'What is it Lord?' And he said, 'Your prayer and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.' "

These prayers and offerings of Cornelius were accepted by God as the ascent offering (whole burnt offering) and memorial portions of the Old Testament that were turned into smoke for a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 2:2,9,16; 5:12; 6:15). Paul also likens the offering in which the saints sow into the ministry as an ascent offering that the Lord receives as a sweet smelling aroma because it is holy an acceptable to Him (Philippians 4:18). More important than anything else, the giving of an offering is an act of worship, a time where we pour out our love and affection for God. The response of God's favor towards those who offer such offerings is underscored here. Because of the prayers and offerings that Cornelius gave, he was chosen to be the first among the gentiles to receive the riches of heaven, the gift of the Holy Spirit.

With the message of the offering occurring over 813 times it is singled out as one of the most important subjects in the Bible. There were nine offerings highlighted by God in the New Testament:

1- The wise men who brought gifts to Jesus (Matthew 2:1-16).
2- The widow who gave all that she had (Mark 12:42).
3- The woman at Nain who worshipped with an alabaster box of oil (Luke 7:38).
4- The woman at Bethany who poured expensive oil upon Jesus at Simon the Lepers house (Mark 14:3).
5- Mary who worshipped with costly ointment in Bethany just before the death of Jesus (John 12:3).
6- The offering of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10).
7- The offerings of Cornelius.
8- The offerings of those of Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8-9).
9- The offering that God gave of His Son (John 3:16).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org