He Bible tells us in Numbers 15:1–3 ERV, “The Lord said to Moses… When you enter that land, you must give special gifts to the Lord… Their smell will please the Lord…” In the Old Testament, God asked them to offer rams and goats as sacrifices, and their smell was pleasing to Him.

Now, in the New Testament, the same principle still applies—but not with animals. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church saying, “…When I left Macedonia, you were the only church that gave me help” (Philippians 4:15 ERV). They supported him several times, meeting his needs as he preached the gospel.

Paul went further to say, “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account…” (Philippians 4:17). Then, in verse 18, he described their giving this way: “I have all, and abound… having received the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God…” Their gifts to Paul were not just financial aids—they were acts of worship that rose to God as a sweet fragrance.

Your financial contribution to the work of God is worship. It’s not about the money itself but about the heart behind it. In the Old Testament, the smell of their offerings pleased God. In the New Testament, your giving—the money you sow into the Gospel—carries a spiritual fragrance that pleases Him.

No church survives on your offering because the church existed before you came. Your giving is for your own blessing and prosperity. When you give, you are not donating to a man or an institution; you are presenting a sacrifice to God. The Bible already said, “Honour the Lord with thy substance…” (Proverbs 3:9). There's no worship without giving.

So, when you give to spread the Gospel, to print devotionals, to support missions, or to build the church, see it as worship. You're not giving to the church—you're giving to God through the church. The moment you begin to see your giving as a contribution to a church, you lose sight of its true spiritual meaning.

This is why Jesus said, “…where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Giving reflects your love and commitment to God. There is no worship without offering. Even those who serve idols give offerings. So, if those who worship false gods give sacrificially, how much more should we, who serve the living God, give from a place of love, honour, and gratitude?

Your giving is your worship. It's your way of saying, “Lord, I honour You with my resources”. Every time you give, you send up a fragrance that pleases God. He still takes note of it just like He took note of the widow's offering in Luke 21:1–4.

Give to God with understanding and reverence. Don't see it as losing something but as worshipping your Father. When you give this way, your offering becomes a channel through which blessings flow into your life.