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 worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:10-11

There is a close connection between our worship and our giving.

When the wise men saw the star in the east, they subsequently went through great lengths in search of Jesus. And after they found our Lord and worshipped Him, they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts would have a combined worth equalling millions of dollars in today's currency.

It is not our giving that makes us better worshippers, but it is our worship that makes us better givers. Giving is not first a duty and obligation, it is first a recognition and a response to God's grace and generosity as revealed in Christ.

When our hearts are dominated by the revelation that God is worthy of worship and love, we will grow the desire to live a life of intimacy with Him. True intimacy with God always brings out the best in us. Without intimacy, everything God invites us to do sounds difficult and challenging.

To worship and give without resting on the foundation of God's perfect love is painful because we treat it as making personal sacrifices, and not as an expression of being in a covenant relationship with God. That’s why people who live busy lives rarely enjoy God and His love. They are actually fearful of God because whatever they know about Him is based more on ignorance rather than intimacy.

To worship is to draw near to God and learn more to be a beloved child to Him.

Our drawing near to God destroys the poison of sinful selfishness in us and heals us from the spiritual myopia that robs us from a perfect vision of God. When you can see God in the fullness of His beauty and goodness, you can start living generously and reach new levels of giving that truly glorify Him.

If you are holding back from God in any part of your life, it means you have not experienced the full pleasure of God's presence and power in every part of your life. Learn to worship again and discover the joy of the Father whose desire is for you.