MONEY-GIVING-WORSHIP
While
researching the biblical principles of giving, I considered the subject of
worship. Frankly, I had never before studied worship in detail to find out
God’s point of view. I have come to the conclusion that giving, along with our
thanksgiving and praise, is worship. In the past I made pledges to my church to
be paid on a yearly basis. Once a month, I would write a check while in church
and drop it in the collection plate. Sometimes I would mail a check from my
office. My objective was for the church to get the total pledge before the end
of the year. Though I had already experienced the joy of giving, the act
of making my gift had little relationship to worship. While I was writing this
book God convicted me to begin giving every time I went to church. The verse
that spoke to me about this Deuteronomy 16:16: “Do not appear before Me empty-handed.” When I started doing this, if a check were
not handy, I gave cash. At first I thought about keeping up with the money
given. Then God convicted me again. He seemed to say, “You do not need to keep
up with the amount of cash. Give to Me simply out of a
heart of love, and see how much you enjoy the service.” I made this change in
giving habits, and it has greatly enhanced my joy in our worship services.
The Gift of Giving, NavPress, 1982, p.
35-36.
How believers
handle their money is inextricably related to the depth of their worship.
Whether we put money in the offering plate or not, weekly worship should remind
us of our continual stewardship of the possessions that Lord has entrusted to
us. If we do not give properly we cannot worship properly.
John MacArthur
1 Corinthians, Moody, 1984, p. 453-454.
Worshipful
giving involves faith. It is giving from the firstfruits
of all our increase. If we give what we have left over after paying our bills, entertaining
our families, and laying aside for retirement, we have given nothing. That kind
of giving requires no faith. That kind of giving is an abomination to God. He
will not have our leavings! If we would honor God in our giving, we must prove
God with our giving. Prove his faithfulness. Prove His promises. Prove His
Word. Prove His goodness by giving to Him what you need, thus trusting Him to
supply your need. God challenges us so to prove him (2 Chron. 31:5-10; Mal.
3:10; Luke 6:38). It is written, “Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with
the firstfruits of all thine
increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst
out with new wine” (Pro. 3:9-10).
Don Fortner
Offertory
Prayer: “Lord, no matter what we say or do, here is what we really think of You. Amen”
Author
Unknown