When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:10-11 (NKJV)

Our worship and our giving are inextricably linked.

When the wise men saw the star in the east, they travelled to extraordinary lengths to find Jesus. After they had located and worshipped our Lord, they gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In today's money, the value of these gifts would be in the millions of dollars.

It is our worship that makes us better givers, not our giving that makes us better worshippers. Giving is first and foremost an acknowledgement of and response to God's grace and generosity as portrayed in Christ.

When the insight that God is worthy of praise and love dominates our hearts, we will yearn to live a life of following Him. A genuine relationship with God brings out the best in us every time. Without such a fellowship, all God asks us to accomplish sounds difficult and impossible.

Worship and giving will be regarded as great sacrifices for God rather than an expression of being in a covenant relationship with God if they are not done without experiencing God's perfect love. That is why individuals who lead hectic lives rarely enjoy God and His love. They are truly afraid of God because their knowledge of Him is based on ignorance rather than intimacy.

Worship is drawing closer to God and learning more about being His beloved child.

Our drawing near to God destroys the poison of sinful selfishness in us and heals us from spiritual myopia that robs us of a perfect vision of God. When you can see God in all of His glory and goodness, you can begin living generously and giving with such faith that truly glorifies Him.

If you are withholding from God in any area of your life, it means you have not had the full pleasure of God's presence and power in all areas of your life. Learn to worship once more and experience the joy of the Father's desire for you.