God commands us to give offerings on the annual holy days (Deuteronomy 16:16). There is great joy in giving, especially to God.

Think on this interesting instruction that follows: “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee” (verse 17). God tells us to give according to His blessing. How do we figure that? And how do we give according to God’s blessings? We must recognize the blessings. If we don’t see them, they won’t impact how and how much we give.

The last six verses of Jude are fascinating and inspiring. I consider them some of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. Studying and thinking upon these deep verses will help us see astonishing blessings in our life.

For context, Jude was written at an urgent time, just before the a.d. 70 destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. That destruction was only a type of a far greater calamity in this end time. A terrible time is coming—the crisis of all crises.

I wrote in my booklet, “Jude discusses the ‘last time’ (verse 18) for good reason. The Greek word for last means ‘extreme, most remote,’ in reference to ‘time generally that which concludes everything’ (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible). The Greek word translated time means ‘measure of moments’ and ‘time of opportunities.’ As the Apostle John wrote, we are in ‘the last hour.’ But here, Jude refers to moments—or a time frame of less than an hour—a time of minutes, or moments. It is the worst time ever. But it is perhaps the best time ever for opportunities—just prior to the Second Coming of Christ. There are spiritual and physical opportunities galore in this end time. However, there is only a very short span of time to exploit those opportunities” (Jude).

Today, so many prophecies are being fulfilled. We have a terrific work to do. God’s people have the greatest-ever opportunity to give.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy [Spirit]” (Jude 20). That is a powerful, profound statement. “Praying in the Holy Spirit” is a high standard. We must not be sleepy in prayer. We have to concentrate. We must be attentive to what we are doing and pray in the Holy Spirit. This kind of prayer changes your life. What a blessing!

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (verse 21). That is a wonderful prayer. This goes beyond human love or human concern to keeping in the very love of God—another profound statement. Keeping ourselves in the love of God is a high standard, but it’s a great blessing!

The English Standard Version translates “looking for” as “waiting for.” We are waiting and are patient no matter what happens, through any trial or test.

“And of some have compassion, making a difference” (verse 22). We can make a real difference in this Work and for this world. In fact, God expects each of us to make a difference in the Church. That is what Jude was prophesying. We have been called to make a difference. That is a deep lesson to learn—and another amazing blessing.

“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (verse 23). Be careful! Even the garments of those of God’s people who have turned away from Him are dangerous to anybody else spiritually. They have a dangerous contagion, like a spiritual leprosy.

But God says we are to do everything we can to snatch them out of the fire (verse 23; Revised Standard Version). The Great Tribulation is coming. Eternal fire awaits those who don’t repent. We must do everything we can, now! Our offerings and other ways we serve God help snatch them from the fire. What a blessing!

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (verse 24). We have joy now, and soon we will have exceeding joy. God will see to that. What a wonderful promise! Keep that future joy in mind. If we do, we don’t have to fear falling. We must be careful, or we will fall—most of God’s own people have. But God can keep us from falling. That’s a wonderful blessing!

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (verse 25). He is our Savior. Obadiah 21 shows that we are co-saviors with Jesus Christ! We are helping Him save some today and preparing to save the vast majority in the World Tomorrow and beyond. What a glorious future! This is an eternal blessing!

Read those six verses with a mind to give according to how God has blessed you. When I do that, I know I need to add to my offering. In addition to the content of these verses, I have been so blessed to even understand these profound scriptures and to understand them as only God can reveal to us.

God instructs us to give as we are able and as we have been blessed. He wants us to see His blessings! Evaluate your life alongside these verses. Use them to recognize and determine your blessings—then give as God has blessed you.