When we place our offering in the plate, what are wesaying?
I’m thankful for this way I can contribute?
I’m hopeful for the future and want to support it here?
I’m glad for this this tax deduction?
I was raised doing this, so I’ll keep on with that tradition?
I hope God notices that I’m doing my part?
I hope this is used to buy more jelly filled donuts?
Maybe on any given Sunday a
bit of each?
bit of each?
In God’s Word, when His people gathered and gave, we always see their
actions marked by a single distinctive – joy, gladness, cheer…why? Because of
the overwhelming sense of thankfulness in what God had accomplished and the
sense of hope that being in community brings when we are moving toward
accomplishing God’s will in great ways.
actions marked by a single distinctive – joy, gladness, cheer…why? Because of
the overwhelming sense of thankfulness in what God had accomplished and the
sense of hope that being in community brings when we are moving toward
accomplishing God’s will in great ways.
Listen to what David wrote and the song that the
people sang when they brought the ark of God’s promise into the tent:
people sang when they brought the ark of God’s promise into the tent:
Oh, give
thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord
rejoice!
rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered…
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared above all gods. (from 1 Chronicles 16)
As you consider your offering, be mindful of not only what
it is going to allow people to do for God’s kingdom, but be thankful for what
it has already done.
it is going to allow people to do for God’s kingdom, but be thankful for what
it has already done.
Consider that through this faithfulness you are making a way
to “make known among the nations what He has done.”
to “make known among the nations what He has done.”
That
through this offering you will “tell of all His wonderous acts”
through this offering you will “tell of all His wonderous acts”
And
that in so doing, the hearts of those “who seek the Lord” will rejoice!
that in so doing, the hearts of those “who seek the Lord” will rejoice!
~
Jennifer Richmond
Jennifer Richmond
Bible Study Author/Women’s Pastor
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