Giving and prayer

2 Chronicles 1:6-7 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which [was] at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

Many don't know why Solomon became the Solomon they read of. Do you know before God appearing to him in a dream where he asked for wisdom he first offered to God 1000 burnt offerings? Now that may be new to you but that's exactly what happened. If he hadn't offered would God have appeared to him? No. 

Argue all you want but from this we draw some lessons that giving attracts God's attention. And that is exactly what we see here. Perhaps you want God to appear to you or answer your prayer and all you need is to give an offering you have never given before? We don't see Solomon giving before that time but his first recorded offering was very significant as he started his reign. 

Giving reflects where someone's heart and treasure is. Just like David was a man after God's heart, Solomon followed his pattern for the earlier years of his reign. Solomon saw his father David give bountifully towards the building of the temple before he became the king. No wonder he gave this much. Parents, our children are following your footsteps. If you demonstrate giving, worship, prayer etc to them, they will definitely do the same. 

I have heard some parents desiring their Children to become pastors, preachers, worshippers etc yet for them they are living contrary to what they desire their children to be! It's not bad though to have such a desire but your children will need to build on a foundation you have laid by you walking in that path before they do. Show them that it's possible without giving a lot of excuses. By this am sure my children's children will serve God because I their grand father, am doing so. Your giving in your generation should be the floor for the next generation. If you have given 10 million as your best in your lifetime, your children will give 50 million! If you have built a 1000 seater church, your children will build a 10000 seater, hallelujah! It's high time we had children who will reflect our kind, who will give even much more than we do, love like us, treat others like us and serve God like us.

From this we also learn that giving and prayer should be done at the start of a new ministry, business or vision God has placed on your heart. After getting that job you have been waiting for, give and pray. Don't wait to offer or involve God in the middle of things, place your seed in the ground right away and the foundation will be set right. I work on construction sites. I have seen carnal men perform blood sacrifices whenever a foundation of a building is dug. They dedicate the building to the spirits right from the start. Why wouldn't a Christian do much better by offering a sacrifice of giving and prayer?

Your giving is a prayer by itself hence one cannot be done without the other. That's why God commands not to go to His house empty handed.