“What shall I render unto the LORD for all His
benefits toward me?” Psalm 116:12
Have you ever given this Bible verse a thought? Do you pray this prayer as did King David? Or are your prayers mostly thanking God for His many blessings, and asking for more, with little thought of giving back to God? How often do we ask the Lord what we can do for Him, or give to Him in return for His many blessings? The word render means to provide a service, or to give help to someone or something. It can be physical help, or monetary help. Is there some service you are willing to render to the Lord? Do you ask the Lord daily, what do You want me to do today? It should be our daily prayer.
When things go wrong in some people’s lives, an immediate reaction for some who are not very close to the Lord is, “why did you allow this, Lord?” and then in mere frustration, they add, “What has the Lord ever done for me?” Stop and think!!! Have you ever felt that way? “What has the Lord ever done for me?” and thought, “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?” Malachi 3:14. They believe there is nothing to be gained by serving the Lord and what little they had done for Him was from selfish motives. We will have difficulties and trials because of this corrupt and evil world we live in, but in the midst of the most trying circumstances, we should have the confidence of Job. In the midst of his suffering he said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
Even with trials, there is always a blessing intended. Daily we need to recount the blessings that He has given us, whether in good times or when things seem to go wrong. We are to take the words of this song to heart, “Count your blessings—name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Then ask the Lord what He would want you to do for Him.
David did just that in our opening verse. He was forsaken by men from whom he expected assistance, but he learned to appreciate the help and benefits that come from heaven. David wonders how he can best express and show appreciation and gratitude to God for all the benefits bestowed upon him. “The Christian should often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious deliverances that God has wrought for him, supporting him in trial, opening ways before him when all seemed dark and forbidding, refreshing him when ready to faint. He should recognize all of them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels. In view of these innumerable blessings he should often ask, with subdued and grateful heart, ‘What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?’ Psalm 116:12.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 187. “Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” John 6:28. This should be our daily question, “What shall I render unto the Lord?”
Remember, “Jesus treats us far better than we deserve.” –Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 179. Sometimes the Lord does something truly amazing for us, much more than we deserve. Are you so grateful that you are willing to give a thank offering? Or render some service, sacrificing your own pleasures and plans? Or do we just say “thank you” over and over again. It is one thing to say thank you, but quite another to show you are thankful.
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:10–12. “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this.” Ezra 9:13
“I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25. Once your sins are confessed, forsaken and forgiven, God treats you as though you had never sinned. How wonderful! Pause for a moment and contemplate on these thoughts about how the Lord has treated you better than you deserve. How different from the way we act. When someone has hurt us, some people seek vengeance. Others may forgive, but they may never forget. Thankfully we have a God who forgives and forgets. We need to copy His example. Divine forgiveness is not just a transaction that wipes away the record of sins. It completely eradicates sin from the life—this is possible, in Christ. God transforms a sinner into a saint. He says He will “cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19. And also, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12
“Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’” –The Desire of Ages, p. 25. What love! Who can fathom it?
Although salvation is a free gift, do you appreciate what the Giver has given to you? It is a very expensive gift, and do you wish to render something in return for His matchless gift that He has given you? It is a free will offering that you may give to show your love. He freely gave to you, what will you give freely in return for His love?
When you give your tithes, do you feel it as an obligation? Are you glad to give it, or do you think that you could have had multiple uses for that money for your own selfish purposes and thus give grudgingly?
When King Saul led the Israelites to war against the Amalekites, Samuel had told them to destroy all people and all animals, however, “The people reserved for themselves the finest of the flocks, herds, and beasts of burden, excusing their sin on the ground that the cattle were reserved to be offered as sacrifices to the Lord. It was their purpose, however, to use these merely as a substitute, to save their own cattle.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 629. They took from others to give to the Lord, so they would not have to give of their own. This is not true rendering to the Lord in heart.
Do you have enough faith in God to provide? Are you thankful for His blessings and trust His providential care to give Him a second tithe? Or is that asking too much? Remember the widow who gave her final two mites to the sanctuary? “Jesus said of the poor widow, She ‘hath cast in more than they all.’ The rich had bestowed from their abundance, many of them to be seen and honored by men. Their large donations had deprived them of no comfort, or even luxury; they had required no sacrifice, and could not be compared in value with the widow’s mite.
“It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Saviour’s commendation. . . .
“God’s blessing upon the widow’s mite has made it the source of great results. So with every gift bestowed and every act performed with a sincere desire for God’s glory. It is linked with the purposes of Omnipotence. Its results for good no man can measure.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 615–616
She deprived herself of food in order to give to the cause she loved. What have you deprived yourself of to give to the cause you love? Do you love the cause of God enough to deprive yourself of some of the pleasures of this life, your strength, your time, your money, and any of your talents? Yet, the Lord did not forsake the widow. She will be rich in heaven. And also, He will not forsake you either.
In the Old Testament there were a lot of sacrifices that were “expected” to be given. Has anything changed between the Old Testament times and the New Testament? Is God’s church less in need of financial support today? Are there less needy people who are seeking for salvation, for something better than the world has to offer? The only difference is that today, it is considered free will, while in the Old Testament times some sacrifices were expected. Remember that animals were a source of their wealth. To sacrifice an animal was equivalent to us giving a monetary donation.
When they gave their different offerings there was sometimes quite a ceremony involved, and each part of the ceremony had significance. The entire system was a means of restoring the relationship between God and man. The ceremonies in themselves had no merit, but they pointed to the Lamb of God, who took our penalty of sin on the cross.
Although we do not adhere to the Ceremonial Law any longer, we can learn from some of the offerings they gave. We do not give animal offerings today. Most commonly we give monetary offerings; however, instead of just our tithes and a small weekly offering, there are special times when we can thank the Lord and give a little extra. It will never do us harm to give to the Lord. We will never find ourselves in need. Our offerings show our love. Tithe is obligatory—it is a part of our baptismal vows. Our offerings show how much we love the Lord. They are for the same purpose as in Old Testament times for the purpose of restoring our relationship to God. What will you render to the Lord?
Peace offering: The peace offering in the Old Testament taught in type and shadow how to obtain peace. Peace offerings were voluntary offerings. They were sometimes given as a token of thanksgiving, or to confirm a vow or contract. “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.” 1 Chronicles 16:1
They were not always presented at the temple. After David sinned in numbering Israel, punishment was swift, and David longed for peace. “And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.” 1 Chronicles 21:26
The peace offering could also be given to consecrate a meal between two or more parties before God. They share a part of that meal together in fellowship of peace and a commitment to each others’ future prosperity, promising to be at peace.
After 20 years of separation from the time Jacob deceived his brother, he longed for peace. “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept. Jacob entreated Esau to accept a peace-offering.” –The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 120
In the time of King Hezekiah, he desired to have the Passover celebrated, not only for the nation of Judah, but he also invited the people in the Northern Kingdom. He hoped to bring peace, and thus offered peace offerings. “And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 30:22
The peace offering is also a thank offering. If the Lord has worked some miracles in your life or the lives of loved ones, perhaps you should consider a thanksgiving offering to the Lord. Are you thankful to the Lord for some great blessing? Are you thankful for peace that you have now with someone you were having difficulties with before? Then render to the Lord a peace and thank offering.
Meat offerings: The meat offering consisted of flour, oil, and frankincense (Leviticus 2:1). It was commonly given with all other offerings and typified a full surrender to the Lord of all that you have and all that you are. When it was given with sin offerings it showed the connection between pardon for sin and consecration to the Lord.
Yes, the Lord forgives us our sins, but then He goes on to say, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11), and thus we consecrate ourselves to Him, asking His help to overcome all sin so that we do not repeat our mistakes.
It is important for those who have accepted the atonement of Jesus for their sins that they then express their dedication to Him. This is the relationship between the meat and burnt offerings. The meat offering was an acknowledgement that everything the person had and was belonged to God. We are to make the same acknowledgement and when the Lord’s cause has a need, we are to willingly give a portion back to God, trusting that He will provide for us when we are in need. All that we have and possess belongs to the Lord and we should be willing to consecrate and render to Him when there are calls for help.
Drink offerings: “And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with Him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.” Genesis 35:14
This is the first mention of a drink offering in the Bible. Jacob had already wrestled with the Angel. He had already met Esau and now he was about to go see his father. The Lord appeared to him and spoke with him. After his conversation, Jacob was thankful for all that the Lord had done for him. He showed his willingness to pour out his life to God as needed.
Like the meat offerings, the drink offerings were given, often along with some other burnt offering. The pouring out of a drink offering can also signify the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. The one who has fully surrendered his life for the Lord’s service pours his life upon the sacrifice of Christ, to be spent for the glory of God, as His life was spent. Pray every morning for the Holy Spirit to direct and guide you during the day that you may render due service to your Lord and Master. “Holy Spirit faithful guide, ever by the Christian’s side. Gently lead us by the hand, Pilgrims in the desert land.”
Sin and trespass offerings: When we sin, we do not offer an offering in order to be forgiven. In Old Testament times, that animal the was sacrificed did not atone for the sin. It pointed forward to the true sacrifice of Jesus, who would atone for their sin on the cross of Calvary. The Catholic Church has, unfortunately, taken that concept of penance for sin and continued the practice today. Many in the Christian world feel as though they must do something in order to be accepted by God. They have it backwards. Jesus accepts us as we are—in our sin polluted self. He forgives and cleanses, and we show our gratitude by rendering back to Him.
While the forgiveness of sins through the atonement expressed in these sacrifices was ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the sacrifices reminded the worshiper of his or her sinfulness and ultimate need of the propitiation for sins provided by Christ Jesus.
It is essential for the sinner to realize his sinfulness before God and appreciate the pardon offered. The purpose of the sin and trespass offerings was for the sinner to see by faith the Son of God through whom he would receive pardon and thus to repair the broken relationship between man and God. Reconciliation with God requires a full acknowledgement and repentance of sin and a desire to turn away from it.
Just like they had different offerings in the Old Testament, so today, we have different offerings we can give. We can give monetary offerings for peace, for thankfulness, for consecration. We can give offerings of our time to the service of God. We can deny our own time, and give a Bible Study, pass out leaflets, clean the church, work in the publishing department, write an article, do the treasury or secretarial work. All this is an offering of our time and talents to God.
What sacrifice and offering does the Lord ask of us today in exchange for pardon for sin? “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Salvation is free. Yet, Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My Commandments.” John 14:15. Even the service and obedience that the justified and reborn believer is able to render to God are not due to his own virtue but are the fruit of the Holy Spirit whom God has sent to dwell in him. None of us can earn salvation. None of us deserves redemption. We are saved by grace through faith as the gift of God.
All we have to do is repent and confess. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Yet, in order for us to receive salvation, full and free, we do have to make a sacrifice. “My son, give Me thine heart.” Proverbs 23:26. Your heart? What value does it have? “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. But Jesus wants it.
What is it that we are really giving back to the Lord when we give Him our heart? We sacrifice our cherished idols, our love of unhealthy foods, immodest dress, pride of opinion, love of worldly entertainments, our sinful polluted heart, our righteousness which is filthy rags, and anything that we find more interesting and gratifying than spending time with the Lord in prayer, study and missionary work. Anything that is dear to our hearts. It is a sacrifice for some.
Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ.” Galatians 2:20
Physical crucifixion is painful. Spiritual crucifixion is equally painful. “A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work of detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness–sin in all its forms–must be overcome if we would enter into a union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished idols.
“After the union with Christ has been formed, it can be preserved only by earnest prayer and untiring effort. We must resist, we must deny, we must conquer self. Through the grace of Christ, by courage, by faith, by watchfulness, we may gain the victory.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 231. This is honourable service to render.
In Old Testament times, the sacrifices were required. Today, they are not. However, ask yourself how thankful you are for what God has done for you? When you are saved from imminent danger, when you are restored to health following an unpleasant illness, when you receive a bonus from work, . . . the blessings are many. . . how do you thank the Lord? Do you just say thank you? Or have you ever thought of giving the Lord a thank offering or peace offering?
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:20–21. The Lord hopes that His followers make a sound investment of their money, time, and strength into the bank of heaven. All that men own in this life is really only lent them by God in trust. We are His stewards. We own nothing. Only the treasure you lay up in heaven is truly your own. The treasure in heaven appreciates with time, whereas on earth it depreciates. That heavenly treasure is permanent. No one can touch it.
I bring you back to the opening text, ask yourself, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” Psalm 116:12
Do you want true freedom? Then read the following text carefully:
“The true Christian will never complain that the yoke of Christ is galling to the neck. He accounts the service of Jesus as the truest freedom. The law of God is his delight. Instead of seeking to bring down the divine commands, to accord with his deficiencies, he is constantly striving to rise to the level of their perfection.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 220
We can never render the Lord enough for the great gift He has given to us. We do not owe the Lord anything for the gift He is offering us. He gives it to us for free, but how much do you love Him and His offer? Your offerings will show.
“It is for our own benefit to keep every gift of God fresh in our memory. Thus faith is strengthened to claim and to receive more and more. There is greater encouragement for us in the least blessing we ourselves receive from God than in all the accounts we can read of the faith and experience of others. The soul that responds to the grace of God shall be like a watered garden. His health shall spring forth speedily; his light shall rise in obscurity, and the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon him. Let us then remember the loving-kindness of the Lord, and the multitude of His tender mercies. Like the people of Israel, let us set up our stones of witness, and inscribe upon them the precious story of what God has wrought for us. And as we review His dealings with us in our pilgrimage, let us, out of hearts melted with gratitude, declare, ‘What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people.’ Psalm 116:12–14.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 348. Amen
Wendy Eaton