Giving As Worship
One activity, which is part of almost every worship service, which we do not always think of as being worship, is the taking up of the offering. To many the offering is viewed as a necessary evil. Yet giving to God our offerings should bring us joy and be a very important part of our worship.
We honour God by giving to His work. We should be thankful that God has provided our needs and that we can give back to Him a portion of what He has given us. We should rejoice because we have something to give.
The Apostle Paul taught some principles of giving. Paul wrote, "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'' (Philippians 4:17 19)
There are three major principles taught in this passage. First, giving brings blessing. It truly is more blessed to give than receive. If we give with the right attitude, we feel good and happy.
The second principle is that God is pleased with those who give to His work. Paul said that the offering given by the Church at Philippi had a sweet smell to God.
The final principle is that God supplies the needs of those who support His work. Paul promised the Philippians that God would give them everything they needed because they had supplied his need. If we want God to provide for us, then we should worship Him by giving.
One final word about giving, when we give to God, we should give primarily through our local Church. It is the local Church that God wants to use to send the Gospel around the world. It is the local Church that is God's witness in a community.
The Church that we attend is God's first line of defense against wickedness in our community. It is also where those who will go out and attack the strongholds of Satan should be trained and prepared.
We honour God by giving to His work. We should be thankful that God has provided our needs and that we can give back to Him a portion of what He has given us. We should rejoice because we have something to give.
The Apostle Paul taught some principles of giving. Paul wrote, "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'' (Philippians 4:17 19)
There are three major principles taught in this passage. First, giving brings blessing. It truly is more blessed to give than receive. If we give with the right attitude, we feel good and happy.
The second principle is that God is pleased with those who give to His work. Paul said that the offering given by the Church at Philippi had a sweet smell to God.
The final principle is that God supplies the needs of those who support His work. Paul promised the Philippians that God would give them everything they needed because they had supplied his need. If we want God to provide for us, then we should worship Him by giving.
One final word about giving, when we give to God, we should give primarily through our local Church. It is the local Church that God wants to use to send the Gospel around the world. It is the local Church that is God's witness in a community.
The Church that we attend is God's first line of defense against wickedness in our community. It is also where those who will go out and attack the strongholds of Satan should be trained and prepared.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 4:00 PM
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